Their first break came shortly after forming when basist Chris Vinson's newly formed website company was featured on CBC's CityBeat, who's first client was the band itself. By the end of 1998 the band had an independent video on rotation at MusiquePlus(French equivalent to Canada's MuchMusic). After obtaining a government grant, the band self-produced and recorded "Alice's Wonderland", a song that helped "break" the group. Their biggest break though, came through winning Montreal's CHOM FM L'Esprit contest back in 1999. Winning the contest landed them music equipment, recording time and 500 manufactured CDs.
In 2001 Rubberman released their self-titled album, on Donald Tarlton's (a.k.a Donald K. Donald) Aquarius records and was produced by Glen Robinson (Tea Party, David Byrne, Voivod, Tori Amos). Their first single "More Than I Can Chew" remained within the top 10 on Montreal's CHOM FM Top 20 Album Countdown for 11 weeks while the video received heavy airplay on MusiquePlus.
The Band later parted ways, Jonas (http://www.jonas-music.com/) pursued a successful solo career having recorded two albums, self titled (2004) and Suite Life (2006). The only other member known to having pursued their music aspirations is Keith Pun, who now plays for a band called "Playing with Diana" (http://playingwithdiana.com/) .
Bliss
Rubberman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You know what time it was
Come on baby don't be shy
Sweetheart talk to us
Hey little baby
Tell me where your at
Everybody want the claw
Hit
Miss
Love
Love, my love is like bliss
Hey little baby
Who's your daddy now
Come on baby don't be shy
Make this daddy proud
Cum little honey
World's left to explore
Be my sugar mama
And I'll be your fucking whore
Pain baby
Or is it for shame baby
Lying with your head weighed down
Up
On the ground by me
Pain baby
Or is it for shame honey
Lying with your head weighed down
Up
On the ground by me
Hey little baby
Crawling on all fours
Be that little lady
I've expected so much more
Come little honey
Start that talking back
Everybody want the claw
You just want the scratch
The lyrics of the song Bliss by Rubberman describe a manipulative and abusive relationship. The singer in the song is addressing a young woman, referred to as "little sister" or "little baby," and pressuring her to comply with his wishes. He demands her attention and affection, telling her "Everybody want the claw, no one want the scratch," suggesting that he is using her for his own pleasure without reciprocating. He also disparages her by calling her a "fucking whore" and urging her to be his "sugar mama." The singer is in a position of power, both because he calls her "little" and because he seems to have financial control over her. The woman seems to be trapped in this relationship, unsure if she is experiencing "pain" or "shame."
The lyrics of the song are uncomfortable and disturbing, but they reveal important truths about abusive relationships. The singer is using tactics common to abusers: isolating the victim from others, manipulating them with false promises or threats, and degrading them to establish control. By addressing the woman as "little," he is infantilizing her and implying that she is powerless. The repeated refrain, "Love, my love is like bliss," is particularly chilling, as it suggests that the singer is telling the woman that his abuse is a type of love. These lyrics provide a sobering reflection on the dynamics of abusive relationships and the importance of recognizing and resisting manipulation and control.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey little sister
The singer is addressing someone they know as a sibling, likely a young woman.
You know what time it was
The singer believes the sister knows or should know that they should be interacting in a certain way.
Come on baby don't be shy
The singer is urging the sister to speak up or be more forward with them.
Sweetheart talk to us
The singer is expressing a desire for the sister to open up and communicate more intimately with them.
Tell me where your at
The singer is asking the sister about her current location or state of mind.
Everybody want the claw
The singer is suggesting that people are often after something that will harm them in the end.
No one want the scratch
The singer is implying that people prefer not to experience the negative consequences of their actions.
Love, my love is like bliss
The singer professes their feelings about love, that it brings them happiness and contentment.
Who's your daddy now
The singer is asking a rhetorical question, asserting their dominance over the person they are addressing.
Make this daddy proud
The singer is demanding that the person they are addressing perform in a way that will earn the singer's approval.
Cum little honey
The singer is using sexually explicit language to address the person they are speaking to.
World's left to explore
The singer is suggesting that there are many unexplored possibilities for the person they are addressing.
Be my sugar mama
The singer is proposing a transaction where the person they are addressing will provide them with financial or material support.
And I'll be your fucking whore
The singer is offering to provide sexual services to the person they are addressing in exchange for money or other benefits.
Pain baby
The singer is referencing the possibility that the person they are addressing is experiencing emotional or physical pain.
Or is it for shame baby
The singer is suggesting that the person they are addressing may be feeling ashamed of something.
Lying with your head weighed down
The singer is describing the person they are addressing as appearing defeated or overwhelmed.
Up
The singer is using this word to suggest that the person they are addressing can lift their head and overcome their struggles.
On the ground by me
The singer is implying that the person they are speaking to is subservient and under their control.
Hey little baby
The singer is once again addressing the person they previously called 'little sister', reemphasizing their desire for dominance.
Crawling on all fours
The singer is calling the person they are addressing submissive and animalistic.
Be that little lady
The singer is chiding the person they are addressing for not behaving or presenting themselves in the way the singer wants them to.
I've expected so much more
The singer is disappointed that the person they are addressing has not lived up to their expectations.
Start that talking back
The singer is encouraging the person they are addressing to challenge or confront them.
You just want the scratch
The singer is asserting that the person they are addressing is only interested in satisfying their own desires, without regard for others.
Contributed by Jonathan H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
JulieDeuxFois
I saw them at Le Spectrum back in, what, maybe 2001?! They were opening for Serial Joe, with a french (or belgian) band called Tagada Jones. The show was surprisingly good and I remember trying my best to tear off a band poster from a fence after the event, to add to my basement bedroom decor. Those were the days!
Josh Johnson
I saw them open for the tea party in 2001 at the metropolis... they were good live
Val Prem
Woe thats rare ! I wish I could see it all
No one knows how awesome there where