In 1969 the band were all arrested for possession of marijuana and Roky was incarcerated in Rusk State Hospital for the Criminally Insane where he reportedly underwent electroshock therapy and was placed on Thorazine amongst other controversial treatments. Many claim he has never been the same since. Sadly in the intervening years record execs and managers displayed the bad side of the music business and took full advantage of his condition often leaving him living in poverty while they hoarded all the cash.
In 2001 Roky's youngest brother, Sumner Erickson (ex-tuba player for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra), was appointed his legal guardian and an improvement in Roky's faculties has been reported since, leading to a return to live shows.
An excellent documentary on Roky, "You're gonna miss me" (2005), chronicled his troubled life - his schizophrenia, incarceration for possession of a joint, and talented and eccentric family.
Bloody Hammer
Roky Erickson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My eye turns to the left to say, "no"
You said, "First, I am the special one."
I never hammered my mind out
I never have the bloody hammer [x3]
I never have the bloody [x2]
I never have the bloody hammer
I am the psychiatrist
To make sure they don't think that they'd hammer their minds out
Or that they'd have a
Or that they'd have a bloody hammer [x3]
Or that they'd have a bloody [x2]
Or that they'd have a bloody hammer
Second, I am the special one
My eyes, green and blue
And safely unbegotten
To the left to say, "no"
While the others with their hair turned white,
They just roll their eyes back to the top of their head
And hammer the attic floor with a bloody hammer
I never have the bloody hammer
I never have the bloody [x2]
I never have the bloody hammer
It's not a sledgehammer
It's not a chisel
It's not a train
But a thought of unlimited horror for Dr. O'Chane
Dr. O'Chane
Baby ghost says beat it with your chains
Baby ghost says don't drag your chain away, Dr. O'Chane
Doctor O'Chane, Doctor O'Chane
The baby ghost says "beat it with your chain"
The baby ghost says "drag your chain away, Doctor O'Chane."
The ghost says, beat it with your chains
The ghost saysa drag your chain away, Dr. O'Trey
All bats are is Dracula vampires
Vampires in rain
Vampires in lightning for Dr. O'Chane
Dr. O'Chane
The baby ghost in the 1900s says beat it with your chain
The baby ghost says
Don't drag your spoon, drag your chain away, Dr. O'Chane
Demon is up in the attic to the left
My eye turns to the left to say, "no"
You said, "First, I am the special one."
I never hammer my mind out
I never have the bloody hammer [x3]
I never have the bloody [x2]
I never have the bloody hammer
The lyrics of Roky Erickson's song "Bloody Hammer" are cryptic and open to interpretation. The song's imagery centers around demons, ghosts, and the idea of hammering one's mind out, which suggests the destruction of mental health or the loss of one's sanity. The opening lines imply that there is a demon residing in the attic, and the singer defensively denies having a bloody hammer. The lines "I am the doctor, I am the psychiatrist" can be interpreted as the character attempting to reassure themselves and others that they have control over their mind and are not at risk of losing it.
The chorus of the song features the repetition of "Or that they'd have a bloody hammer" and "I never have the bloody hammer," which creates a sense of unease and emphasizes the fear of losing control. The reference to Dr. O'Chane and the "thought of unlimited horror" further illustrate this theme. The song's final lines suggest a presence haunting the character, urging them to "beat it with your chains" and "drag your chain away."
Overall, "Bloody Hammer" is a haunting and ambiguous exploration of mental health and the fear of losing control. It is a reflection of the struggles that Roky Erickson faced throughout his life and the impact that mental illness had on his art.
Line by Line Meaning
Demon is up in the attic to the left
Roky Erickson is imagining a demon presence in the attic to his left
My eye turns to the left to say, "no"
He looks to the left and denies the existence of the demon
You said, "First, I am the special one."
Someone claims to be special and important
I never hammered my mind out
He has never overworked his mind
I never have the bloody hammer [x3]
He has never experienced a state of extreme mental torment
I am the doctor
He considers himself a doctor and psychiatrist
I am the psychiatrist
He also emphasizes that he is a psychiatrist ensuring patients don't push themselves too much mentally
To make sure they don't think that they'd hammer their minds out
He is trying to prevent his patients from subjecting themselves to extreme mental anguish
Or that they'd have a
In the process of evaluating them
Or that they'd have a bloody hammer [x3]
He wants to ensure that his patients never experience extreme mental torment
Second, I am the special one
He reiterates that he is the special one
My eyes, green and blue
He describes the color of his eyes
And safely unbegotten
He assures that he is not cursed or tainted
While the others with their hair turned white,
He compares himself to other people who have undergone extreme mental anguish
They just roll their eyes back to the top of their head
Those people are now disoriented and in a trance
And hammer the attic floor with a bloody hammer
They subject themselves to mental torment until they're in a bloody mess
It's not a sledgehammer
Contrary to what some might think, it's not a sledgehammer causing the mental torment
It's not a chisel
Nor is it a chisel
It's not a train
He rules out a train as well
But a thought of unlimited horror for Dr. O'Chane
The true source of mental torment originates from a terrifying thought
Baby ghost says beat it with your chains
A ghostly voice urges Dr. O'Chane to leave the room
Baby ghost says don't drag your chain away, Dr. O'Chane
The ghost warns Dr. O'Chane not to make a loud noise as he leaves
All bats are is Dracula vampires
Roky Erickson speculates on the existence of vampires
Vampires in rain
He imagines vampires lurking in the rain
Vampires in lightning for Dr. O'Chane
These vampires are specifically tormenting Dr. O'Chane
The baby ghost in the 1900s says beat it with your chain
Another ghost from a previous era tells Dr. O'Chane to leave in a forceful manner
The baby ghost says Don't drag your spoon, drag your chain away, Dr. O'Chane
The ghost warns Dr. O'Chane against making a loud noise on his way out
Contributed by Hailey V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Gutter Dandy
Was lucky enough to see Roky play live twice -- he was excellent! Rest in peace, Roky.
Boo Radley
Roky is one of the ultimate artists...what a legend!!! Amazing mix of lyricism, blues, rock and punk, with cerebral songlines and concepts. A master of his art. An absolute rebel.
Where's his Hall of Fame accolades?
I first heard him in my 20s and he will never grow old to me.
R.I.P., ya bastard.
Peace out mofos, from Australia. Big love to other Roky fans worldwide. I'm with you.
Billy Shane
Right On 👍
Kendrick Jahn
Anyone who dislikes Roky Erickson is soulless.
Camio78
That is true!
Ravner
ain't it the Gosple truth
Sparrow XIll
word of god.
Franz Narf
Nobody dislikes Roky but...
24 looking for a video were a little disappointed!
Morrison
THE ALBUM OF THIS SONG IS ONE OF THE BEST ALBUMS OF ALL TIME!
Hardcorakias
+Malmsteen996 Agreed.