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.
Torture
Saigon Kick Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But the voice ain't that familiar
Action seems to call you
But you're feeling quite the same
Seasons from with torture
Yet your feet can't find the ground
Reeling from the pressure
You can't justify your shameless ways
Actions from the homeland
Does that mean the party's over?
Feelings not divided
And your shoes will hit the ground
Checking from the family
We're living without wisdom
Trying to gain an inch
On this southern [?] ground
You can't justify your shameless ways
Way to hard to see what's in yourself
You can't read the meaning in that soul, oh yeah
Living on the outskirts
Of the town in West Dakota
Trying to fix the barn
[Incomprehensible]
Somethin' is tryin' to [?] us
And they're hard to get away from
Got to beat your death
But we have to live this way
You can't justify your shameless
Way too hard to see what's in yourself
You can't read the meaning in that soul oh yeah
It's way too hard to see what's in yourself
You can't read the meaning in that soul oh yeah
The lyrics of Saigon Kick's song Torture explores the sense of feeling trapped within oneself, unable to find a way out of the mental pain inflicted by one's own actions. The opening lines, "Freedom seems to haunt you, but the voice ain't that familiar" suggest that the prospect of freedom brings discomfort, perhaps because the person has become so accustomed to their current state of suffering that they cannot envision a life without it. The mention of "torture" and the inability to find one's feet on the ground indicate that the pain is not only mental but physical, as if the person is being pulled in different directions and is unable to find solid ground.
The verse "You can't justify your shameless ways" implies that the person may be engaging in some kind of self-destructive behavior but is unable to recognize or admit it. The reference to "actions from the homeland" and "trying to gain an inch on this southern ground" suggests that the person may be struggling with their own identity and sense of belonging, and that their actions may be a result of this inner conflict. The song ends on a melancholic note, with the assertion that it is "way too hard to see what's in yourself" and "you can't read the meaning in that soul oh yeah", indicating a sense of hopelessness and resignation.
Line by Line Meaning
Freedom seems to haunt you
But the voice ain't that familiar
You feel like you should be free, but you don't know how to get there.
Action seems to call you
But you're feeling quite the same
You want to do something, but you feel stuck.
Seasons from with torture
Yet your feet can't find the ground
Reeling from the pressure
And this isn't safer ground
You feel like you're going through a difficult time and can't find your footing.
You can't justify your shameless ways
You know you're doing something wrong, but you can't explain why you keep doing it.
Actions from the homeland
Does that mean the party's over?
Feelings not divided
And your shoes will hit the ground
You're questioning whether your actions have consequences and if you'll have to face them.
Checking from the family
We're living without wisdom
Trying to gain an inch
On this southern [?] ground
Your family is not helping you, and you're trying to make progress on your own in a difficult situation.
Living on the outskirts
Of the town in West Dakota
Trying to fix the barn
[Incomprehensible]
You're isolated and dealing with small, mundane problems.
Somethin' is tryin' to [?] us
And they're hard to get away from
Got to beat your death
But we have to live this way
You're dealing with something that won't leave you alone, and you have to keep fighting it even if it's exhausting.
It's way too hard to see what's in yourself
You can't read the meaning in that soul oh yeah
You're having a hard time understanding your own thoughts and feelings.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JASON L. BIELER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
k0etjinK
Freedom seems to haunt you,
but the voice ain't that familiar.
Action seems to call you,
but you're feeling quite the same.
Seasons full of torture,
yet your feet can't find the ground.
Bleeding from the pressure,
and this isn't sacred ground.
You can't justify your shameless ways.
Absence from the homeland,
does not mean the fight is over.
Fear is not the pilot,
and your ship will hit the ground.
Taken from a family
to a prison without windows,
trounced within an inch
of this everloving world.
You can't justify your shameless ways.
It's way too hard to see what's in yourself.
You can't beat the meaning in their souls.
Living on the outskirts
of a town in West Angola,
trying to exist upon
the only land we have.
Soldiers come upon us
and they're hard to get away from.
Capture means sure death,
but we have to live this way.
You can't justify your shameless ways.
It's way too hard to see what's in yourself.
You can't beat the meaning in their souls.
Michael Simmons
One of the most underrated groups in the history of rock music.
70s 80s classic hard rock n metal
brutal song. Saigon Kick are one of the best hard rock bands on the planet. been a fan since day 1. saw them 2 times. first was opening for extreme 3 sides to every story tour. 92. then devil tour in 95. sold out show in San Antonio Texas. kick ass both times.
GrandmasterTrash78
one of the most underrated bands
tyler reed
such a bad ass band man im onley 17 and im in a hard rock and heavy metal band and these guys are a huge influence on me
IEW
God almighty ... That RIFF stills ringing on my head!!!
Danielle (6Hypnone)
One of the first rock/metal bands I got into as a teen :)
Will Batsche
love this album
Isaac Price
Saw them on the tour for this album at 328 performance hall Nashville. They opened with the nutcracker! Crazy good. Jason is a better front man.
kristofer batdorf
Isaac Price no shit man i was at that show too. i muss 328 saw many many great shows there
Marco Camon
I Love this album🖤