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.
It's A Cold Night For Alligators
Roky Erickson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's a cold night for dogs
The dogs choke on their barking
When they see alligator persons
In the bar head fall
It's a cold night for alligators
When men turn into them in the night
It's a cold night for their might
It's a cold night for alligators
Hiding behind the trees and moss
Forever hear the swampers screaming
They forever have lost
It's a cold night for alligators
In the blender
It's a cold night for alligators
A perfect monster has no end
Roky Erickson's song "It's a Cold Night For Alligators" is a psychedelic and eerie tune that speaks to the supernatural aspects of the swamp. The lyrics describe a cold, dark and dangerous night where alligators and men become one in the moonlight. The metaphorical use of alligators here may represent a dangerous or corrupt aspect of humanity, which overshadows and threatens the peaceful and fragile elements in life. The alligators in the bar represent a human trait of aggression and violence caused by alcohol and other negative influences, which often lead to unforeseen consequences. The dogs choking on their barking is a reference to fear and helplessness, emphasizing that sometimes the fear of the unknown can be more dangerous than the reality of the situation.
The swamp imagery in the song ties into Southern Gothic literature and suggests a sense of foreboding or doom. The swampers screaming in the background give the impression of being surrounded by phantoms and malcontent spirits. This part of the song may be a nod to the concept of entropy, the idea that everything in life eventually fades and decays. The line 'In the blender' could signify a violent end or a state of chaos and confusion where there is no turning back.
Line by Line Meaning
It's a cold night for alligators
The atmosphere is cold and unwelcoming for alligators.
It's a cold night for dogs
The dogs are also suffering in the same cold night as the alligators.
The dogs choke on their barking
The dogs are startled and alarmed by the sight of alligator people, causing them to choke while they bark.
When they see alligator persons
The dogs are reacting to the sight of people who have transformed into alligators.
In the bar head fall
The scene is chaotic and violent, with heads falling in the bar.
When men turn into them in the night
The song suggests that men can turn into alligators at night, adding to the eerie and mysterious mood.
It's a cold night for their might
Even the alligators, known for their strength and power, are weakened by the harsh conditions of the night.
Hiding behind the trees and moss
The alligators are lurking and hiding in the swampy environment, waiting to attack or to avoid danger.
Forever hear the swampers screaming
The inhabitants of the swamp, or the swampers, are repeatedly haunted by disturbing screams that echo throughout the area.
They forever have lost
The swampers are resigned to their fate, knowing that they cannot escape their miserable and terrifying existence in the swamp.
In the blender
The alligators are being violently churned and mixed together in a blender, symbolizing their senseless destruction and chaos.
A perfect monster has no end
An alligator, a creature that is already a perfect predator, has no limit to its destructive potential and can continue to cause terror indefinitely.
Contributed by Aaliyah E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@darthbabis
It's a cold night for dogs
The dogs choke on their barking
When they see alligator persons
In the bar head fall
It's a cold night for alligators
When men turn into them in the night
It's a cold night for alligators
It's a cold night for their might
It's a cold night for alligators
Hiding behind the trees and moss
Forever hear the swampers screaming
They forever have lost
It's a cold night for alligators
In the blender
It's a cold night for alligators
A perfect monster has no end
@MattSpacemanStones
Good night Mr Alligator and rest in peace
@musicisbrilliant
Roky did SUUUUUUUUUCH A GREAT GREAT JOB on this album!!!! Whole album is killer!! Like SO Bad Ass!!!! THANK YOU ROKY!!!!!! We love you, legend. You gave us so much. We wont forget it.
@emeraldova7754
Totally fanfokkintastik
@TimothyMayer13
Everytime it gets below 28 degrees, I tell people: "It's a cold night for alligators."
@petilada44
Then you must say that a lot laughs in celsius
@TimothyMayer13
I have as of late. :)
@grandmotherproductions9380
Timothy Mayer I will now too
@pupperemeritus9189
hhaahahah. anything below 25 C for me is cold. i live in india , its hot as hell
@adentse
Hehe, anything above 18 C is warm in Sweden :)
@Josp1966
R.I.P. Roky and thanks for all your great music. <3 <3