In 1999, Rocky Votolato branched out from his work with Waxwing, having written a handful of songs which did not really fit in with their more aggressive, fast tempo syle. Along the way he has toured with the likes of Damien Jurado, Small Brown Bike, The Get Up Kids, The New Amsterdams, Owen and The Casket Lottery, members of the latter having provided assistance as backing musicians on occasion. His studio albums have also been littered with appearances from some of Seattle's finest musicians (including players in the bands Red Stars Theory, Sharks Keep Moving, The Blood Brothers, Death Cab for Cutie, Pedro the Lion and Sub Pop solo artist Rosie Thomas). On the production side, Votolato has worked with Matt Bayles (Pearl Jam, Botch, Murder City Devils, Hayden), along with Chris Walla (of Death Cab for Cutie). It is a creative input which has helped see Rocky progress sylistically with every release, from his low key self-titled album released in 1999 - all pretty much recorded live, right through to his recent, alt-country, folk-esque offering, 'Makers'. A video was shot for the first track of Makers, "White Daisy Passing", a song which also appears on the soundtrack of the forthcoming Seattle indie feature film Cthulu.
Rocky also starred in the film 'The Edge of Quarrel', which he worked on with Dave Larson from Excursion Records. It also includes members of the Murder City Devils and Botch, and is about a gang war between straightedgers and punk rockers.
He is married with two children, and lives in Seattle.
Uppers Aren't Necessary
Rocky Votolato Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Something's gonna be changing come the morning time my friend
As fickle as these streets are they might not even wait around till then
I've got a lot to loose so come and take it from me quick
Everything you loose if it makes you stronger it makes you sick
Take these cities from me I'll build buildings up with my own
Bare hands
That keeps the fire burning to drive out the cold
That creeps
In every corner crack and never leaves you alone
Till the lonely
Messengers come calling you back home
The trees are stacked
In rows on the side of the road
Stripped of any dignity a birthing
May have had
100 thousand crucified on the Mojave I-5 line
Singers shepherds and salesmen all longing for someone
To kill the joy of wondering and end all their desire
To help them to remember that the road is nothing but a liar
The uppers aren't necessary the guilt is the coal
That keeps
The fire burning to drive out the cold
That creeps in every
Corner crack and never leaves you alone
'Til the lonely
Messengers come calling you back
To the red door, cracked
And crooked walk way
The fence impaling the stars
Ghostly
Keepers lead the way through railroads of abandoned cars
The tracks and city streets cut through like scars
The lyrics of Rocky Votolato's song "Uppers Aren't Necessary" are a commentary on the emptiness and futility of chasing after material things while trying to find meaning in life. The opening line, "Lead me through these cities of imaginary trends," suggests that the singer is being led astray by the latest fads and popular culture, which are ultimately superficial and empty pursuits. The next line presents a sense of urgency and impermanence, indicating that change is inevitable and that the singer needs to act quickly to avoid being left behind. The reference to the "fickle" nature of the streets suggests that there is no lasting satisfaction to be found in the pursuit of these fleeting trends.
In the next few lines, the singer acknowledges that they have "a lot to lose" and that they are willing to give it up in order to build something lasting and worthwhile. The imagery of "building up" with one's own "bare hands" suggests a sense of agency and empowerment in the face of a world that often seems beyond one's control. This is juxtaposed with the idea that the "uppers" (i.e. drugs or other forms of escape) are not necessary – instead, the "guilt" is what keeps the fire burning. This suggests that a sense of responsibility and accountability are what drive us forward, not simply chasing after fleeting pleasures.
As the song continues, the imagery becomes increasingly bleak and apocalyptic. The reference to the "100 thousand crucified on the Mojave I-5 line" suggests a sense of despair and hopelessness in the face of overwhelming suffering and pain. The implication is that even those who pursue success or fame are ultimately vulnerable to the same fate. The final lines suggest a sense of disorientation and confusion, as the singer navigates through abandoned cars and crooked walkways. The "ghostly keepers" indicate that there may be some sort of unseen order or purpose to it all, but it remains beyond our grasp.
Overall, "Uppers Aren't Necessary" presents a brutally honest assessment of the human condition, acknowledging both the emptiness of material pursuits and the difficulty of finding meaning in a world that often seems chaotic and indifferent.
Line by Line Meaning
Lead me through these cities of imaginary trends
Guide me through the ever-changing urban landscapes that are always following the latest fashion fads, without any true substance or permanence.
Something's gonna be changing come the morning time my friend
Tomorrow is always a new day, bringing new opportunities and challenges for growth and transformation.
As fickle as these streets are they might not even wait around till then
The whims of society are so unpredictable that it's possible that even tomorrow's trends will have already passed by the time you wake up.
I've got a lot to lose so come and take it from me quick
I have a lot of material possessions and worldly attachments that I'm willing to give up in pursuit of a more meaningful existence, so don't hesitate to take them away from me.
Everything you lose if it makes you stronger it makes you sick
Although loss can lead to personal growth and development, it can also be a painful and unpleasant process.
Take these cities from me I'll build buildings up with my own bare hands
If you strip away all of my material possessions and consumerist distractions, I'll have the opportunity to build something more meaningful and lasting with my own two hands.
The uppers aren't necessary the guilt is the coal
The temporary high of drugs or other hedonistic pursuits isn't necessary for fulfillment; instead, it's the sense of guilt or moral obligation that drives us to do good and make a positive impact in the world.
That keeps the fire burning to drive out the cold
Our sense of responsibility and purpose keeps us motivated and driven, even when faced with difficulties or obstacles that might dampen our spirits.
That creeps in every corner crack and never leaves you alone
Even in the most isolated or neglected spaces, there is always a sense of moral obligation that persists and motivates us to do something to improve the world around us.
Till the lonely messengers come calling you back home
Eventually, we all face a sense of loneliness or isolation, but we can find comfort and connection by answering the calls of other people who share our sense of purpose and responsibility.
The trees are stacked in rows on the side of the road
The natural beauty and diversity of our environment is often stripped away in the name of efficiency and convenience, resulting in a homogenous and sterile landscape.
Stripped of any dignity a birthing may have had
Even the most miraculous and beautiful things in life can be degraded and devalued by the forces of consumerism and industrialization.
100 thousand crucified on the Mojave I-5 line
The unforgiving brutality of modern society can take a huge toll on people's personal and spiritual wellbeing, leading to a sense of desperation and hopelessness.
Singers shepherds and salesmen all longing for someone to kill the joy of wondering and end all their desire
People from all walks of life often crave certainty and stability, even if it means sacrificing their curiosity or passion for life in the process.
To help them to remember that the road is nothing but a liar
We need to remind ourselves that the path we follow in life is only a guide, and that there are many unexpected twists and turns that can lead us to destinations we never imagined.
The uppers aren't necessary the guilt is the coal
Our moral conscience and sense of responsibility are the true sources of motivation and strength that can sustain us through the challenges and difficulties of life.
That keeps the fire burning to drive out the cold
Our passion and sense of purpose can help us overcome the darkness and negativity that can sometimes engulf our lives.
That creeps in every corner crack and never leaves you alone
Our moral responsibility is an ever-present force that can guide us through even the darkest and most difficult situations.
'Til the lonely messengers come calling you back
When we feel isolated or alone, we can find solace and purpose by connecting with others who share our sense of responsibility and passion.
To the red door, cracked and crooked walkway
We can find beauty and meaning in even the most humble or imperfect places, if we look closely enough and approach them with an open heart and mind.
The fence impaling the stars
The artificial barriers and limitations of human society can block our view of the infinite and transcendent aspects of existence.
Ghostly keepers lead the way through railroads of abandoned cars
Even amidst the decay and ruin of modern society, there are still people who hold on to their sense of purpose and responsibility, and who can guide us through the chaos and confusion of the world around us.
The tracks and city streets cut through like scars
The scars and wounds of society are visible all around us, marking the physical and emotional toll of our collective struggles and challenges.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Rocky Votolato
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind