Formed in Miami, Florida by Matt Kramer (vocals), Jason Bieler (guitar), Tom DeFile (bass) and Phil Varone (drums), the band managed to build up a solid following in their native Florida and eventually got signed to Atlantic records. It took a mere eleven days to record the debut album, and although it got rave reviews from critics, went mostly unnoticed by the record buying public.
The band hit it big with The Lizard and its #12 charting ballad "Love Is On The Way". The success of the ballad was a double-edged sword, it gave the band access to a huge new fan base, but several people grouped the band in with the other one hit wonders of the era. Shortly after the band's success DeFile left the band and was replaced by Chris McLernon. Prior to the recording of Water, Kramer also left the band and Bieler took over on vocals. The album was a commercial disappointment in America, but the band continued to have a loyal following overseas. Two more studio albums were recorded before the band decided to call it a day.
Bieler went on to form Super Transatlantic, and surprisingly the original Saigon Kick minus Bieler rejoined with Jeff Blando on guitar for some live shows. Varone also surfaced as the drummer for Skid Row during their 2003 comeback while Kramer pursues a solo career. The group continues to tour sporadically to this very day.
God of 42nd Street
Saigon Kick Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I am the lord of all you see and feel.You may not want me but I'm oh so real.
You cannot feel me when the light is on so come the darkness. I won't be very long.
Close your eyes my darling and you'll find the light.
Close your eyes my friend and they'll be no fright.
Close your eyes my darling and you'll find the way.
So stop your crying and feed my faith. I'll kill your god and take his place.
Kill the leaches in your little dream. The bloods not spilling. It's not what it seems.
Hey, have you ever walked beneath the rain in hope of washing away the pain and all your tears?
Hey, have you ever talked of all the shame within your everlasting fear of me?
The lyrics of Saigon Kick's song "God of 42nd Street" speak of a god-like figure who rules over the metaphorical world of 42nd Street. This god boasts of being hard to beat and lord over all that can be seen and felt, even though not everyone may love or want him. The god taunts that he cannot be felt when the light is on and that one must wait for the darkness to feel his presence. However, the god attempts to calm the listener by telling them to close their eyes and find the light or the way in the midst of the darkness.
The lyrics of the song also denote some dark themes, which may be concerning the manipulation of the listener by the god in some way. The god asks the listener to "stop their crying" and "feed his faith," implying that the god may be seeking the listener's devotion, and that they must kill their own god to make way for the god of 42nd Street. There is a suggestion of bloodshed with the line "kill the leaches in your little dream," perhaps alluding to the idea that the promotion of the god's dreams must come at a cost. The song ends with an eerie question, asking whether the listener has ever talked of the shame they feel within their everlasting fear of the god.
Overall, the lyrics of "God of 42nd Street" present a somewhat ambiguous and sinister imagery of a god-like figure who offers guidance and faith but demands submission and obedience in return.
Line by Line Meaning
I am the god of 42nd street.
I am a powerful force to be reckoned with and have control over this specific location.
You may not love me but I'm hard to beat.
Though you may not have affection for me, I am difficult to overcome.
I am the lord of all you see and feel.
My influence extends to every aspect of your perception and emotions.
You may not want me but I'm oh so real.
Though you may wish to deny my existence, I am undeniably present.
You cannot feel me when the light is on so come the darkness.
My presence is not noticeable when things are going well, only in times of negativity.
I won't be very long.
My impact will not last forever.
Close your eyes my darling and you'll find the light.
If you trust in me and surrender, you will experience enlightenment.
Close your eyes my friend and they'll be no fright.
By allowing me to guide you, you will be free from fear and anxiety.
Close your eyes my darling and you'll find the way.
If you submit to my power, I will lead you down the right path.
All the fire and all the hate won't change the feelings, won't change your fate.
No matter how much anger or hostility you direct towards me, your destiny will remain the same.
So stop your crying and feed my faith.
Instead of lamenting over your situation, believe in me and my power.
I'll kill your god and take his place.
I am willing to go to extremes to assert my dominance and replace any existing deities.
Kill the leaches in your little dream.
Eliminate any negative influences that may prevent you from fully accepting me as your ruler and guide.
The bloods not spilling. It's not what it seems.
The actions I may take to impose my power may not be as violent as they appear at first glance.
Hey, have you ever walked beneath the rain in hope of washing away the pain and all your tears?
Have you ever sought purification from your emotional turmoil by seeking my guidance?
Hey, have you ever talked of all the shame within your everlasting fear of me?
Have you ever discussed the shame you feel about your reluctance to submit to my power and your lasting anxiety about what I represent?
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JASON L. BIELER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind