Reviewing the band’s album Head Down for the BBC Greg Moffitt described the group’s sound as "electrifying blend of Led Zeppelin, Free, Bad Company, Deep Purple, The Doors and a dozen others."
Torture
Rival Sons Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
limping over the hill."
Say's the lion with the respect to eat the body of his kill,
but you just take the heart, and you do it for the thrill.
It's torture.
Poison for the belly,
You give me no excuses because I don't make you explain.
I'm a bitch for your abuse, and a glutton for the pain.
The opening lines of Rival Sons's song Torture conjure images of a lion stalking its prey, waiting to pounce on a defenseless animal. However, the lyrics take a dark turn as the lion compares the predatory behavior to the actions of the singer, the abuser. The abuser, rather than taking the body of the victim, takes the heart - meaning they enjoy the emotional power they hold over their victim rather than simply the physical act of abuse. The lyrics paint a picture of a person who is addicted to the thrill of causing pain to others, and even though their actions are destroying their own psyche, they can't stop.
The second stanza delves even deeper into the psychological torment of the victim. They liken the abuse they are experiencing to poison - something that is slowly killing them inside. The use of 'sugar in the gas tank of my brain' is a powerful metaphor. It refers to the physical effects of mental anguish, how it can cause physical symptoms in the body. The victim clearly understands what is happening to them, but the abuser provides no explanation or excuse for their behavior. The victim is both a 'bitch for your abuse', meaning they are powerless to stop it, and 'a glutton for the pain' - someone who's become addicted to it in some way.
Overall, Torture is a deeply complex song that captures the emotional torment of abuse from both the abuser and the victim's perspectives. It exposes the inner workings of the psyche of someone who is capable of such malevolence and the inevitable destruction it causes.
Line by Line Meaning
Here comes another one, limping over the hill.
The lion is eager to devour its prey, while you kill merely to seek enjoyment.
But you just take the heart, and you do it for the thrill.
You only seek to satisfy your pleasure by taking the heart of the victim.
It's torture.
Your actions of killing for pleasure leave your victim in agony, reflecting torture.
Poison for the belly, sugar in the gas tank of my brain.
Your treatment of me is toxic and injurious, both physically and mentally.
You give me no excuses because I don't make you explain.
You don't deem me worthy enough to provide explanations or excuses for your inhumane actions.
I'm a bitch for your abuse, and a glutton for the pain.
You always abuse me and I have become used to it, feeding off the pain it brings.
Contributed by Sophie W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
udru boika
What is being witnessed with this band is pure legendary greatness
Nicholas Sawuk
Rival Sons is the Zeppelin of the 21st Century! Best rock n roll band to come out since GNR!!!!!
Rodney Flounders
Boo-yah!!! 👍😃
Jay Bee
kevin p Moriarty >> I thought I was the only one that heard some SRV in Scott’s work, especially with the low tuning.
Jay Bee
Nicholas Sawuk >> Myley is QUITE Bonham, but otherwise, spot on. I’m upset that I only just learned about them. And they’re from Long Beach, about 20 miles from me.
kevin p Moriarty
After 15 years of obsession of the blues, SRV and virtually everything I heard sounding like Linken Park, I went and saw Guns-N-Roses in Boston last week. Total flashbacks to my early teen years got me reaching for something I thought wasn't there, until I heard Rival Sons. These freakin nail it. Hard Rock is not dead.
Di69
I agree
MrCinder82
One of the best bands going right now.
Shawn Ryan
I just saw them two nights ago in KC opening up for Sabbath and Jay KICKED ASS!! His voice is SOOOO amazing! The Rival Sons sound like a mix of Bad Company meets Zeppelin meets the Doors. I'm a new fan! Great newish band!
Fabian
@9:35 it is really mindblowing. Such an awesome band!