On September 26th, 2014, Screaming Headless Torsos released Code Red, the highly anticipated first record in almost a decade. On October 1st the Torsos hit the road for the European leg of their “Code Red Tour”. The first full-length release with lead singer Freedom Bremner was produced by Torsos Veteran producer Gregg Fine and showcases their signature “gumbo” of rock, pop, R&B, jazz and electro-soul, and boasts an impressive roster of special guests including guitarist James Valentine (Maroon 5), Bernie Worrell (Parliament Funkadelic, Talking Heads), Casey Benjamin (Robert Glasper Experiment) and 14 time GRAMMY-Award winning producer Ron Saint Germain takes the helm on the title track.
“Code Red” the title track and collaboration with Ron Saint Germain is a pop/metal anthem that rocks at break-neck speed and tells the story of the horrors of post-traumatic stress -- of a soldier who can’t escape the nightmares in his head. James Valentine, guitarist of Maroon 5, known for his hooky guitar grooves, steps out on the electro-soul jam “Brooce Swayne” with a shredding Munsters-Meets-Maggot-Brain solo. “Wizard of Woo”, the tribute to legendary keyboardist and founding member of Parliament Funkadelic, Bernie Worrell, is a madcap, tempo-shifting rollercoaster ride that features Worrell and unites the Torsos with the Mothership as only he can.
Over the past 19 years, SHT, lead by David Fiuczynski, has been quietly expanding their reach as the cultish wild child of rock, jazz and soul. After the critically acclaimed release of their debut album Screaming Headless Torsos, after Musician Magazine named them one of the “Top 10 Bands to Watch”, the band has continued to be embraced by fans in the jazz and alternative rock communities. “It’s pretty wild, when we’re playing some of these big festivals, to see new fans who were children when our first record came out,” said Fiuczysnki. It is SHT’s message and groove and that keeps bringing fans into the fold from around the world.
Dead Christmas Trees
Screaming Headless Torsos Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dead Christmas Trees
Look so sad to me
Dead Christmas Trees
Look so sad to me.......Dead Christmas Trees
All alone with no cover
Stoic beauty like a stripper stripped
Coat of needles
Worn like a coat of arms
Rockefeller tree, all dressed up and no where to go
Micky and Goofy dance around the golden calf
Sacrifice, seasonal belief on ice,
Next thing you know it's the movie rights…
We wear His sign like a badge of honor
When it suits us we pray on our knees
Oh Christmas tree in verdant beauty,
We discard thee, when we please!
When we please! when we please!
Like a dead....... Christmas tree........
The lyrics to "Dead Christmas Trees" by Screaming Headless Torsos paint a poignant and reflective picture of the aftermath of the holiday season. The repetition of "Dead Christmas Trees look so sad to me" conveys a sense of melancholy and abandonment as the festive decorations are left to wither away. The imagery of the trees standing "all alone with no cover" in the slush and mud evokes a feeling of isolation and neglect.
The comparison of the dead Christmas trees to a "coar of needles worn like a coat of arms" suggests a sense of protection and resilience despite their barren appearance. The reference to the Rockefeller tree, typically a symbol of grandeur and celebration, being "all dressed up and nowhere to go" reflects a deeper commentary on the fleeting nature of materialistic displays during the holiday season.
The lyrics delve into themes of commercialism and hypocrisy during the holiday season, with lines like "Mickey and Goofy dance around the golden calf" implying a superficial and distorted prioritization of material wealth over spiritual values. The mention of "seasonal belief on ice" and the cynical reference to "movie rights" hint at the commodification and trivialization of sacred traditions.
The final verses of the song confront the hypocrisy and transience of human behavior, particularly in relation to religious symbolism. The juxtaposition of wearing religious symbols as a "badge of honor" while discarding the Christmas tree when it is no longer convenient reflects a critique of selective and self-serving faith practices. The repetition of "when we please" emphasizes the capricious nature of human attachment and the ultimate disposability of objects and beliefs, encapsulated in the stark metaphor of the dead Christmas tree.
Line by Line Meaning
Dead Christmas Trees
Lifeless holiday decorations
Look so sad to me
Appear melancholic to my eyes
All alone with no cover
Isolated without protection
Flash of tinsel, in the slush and mud
Shiny decoration in dirty surroundings
Stoic beauty like a stripper stripped
Unexpected elegance despite being undressed
Coat of needles
Covering of sharp leaves
Worn like a coat of arms
Displayed proudly like a symbol of pride
Rockefeller tree, all dressed up and no where to go
Well-adorned but without purpose
Micky and Goofy dance around the golden calf
Characters celebrate materialism
Sacrifice, seasonal belief on ice
Traditional values put on hold
Next thing you know it's the movie rights…
Commercialization takes over
We wear His sign like a badge of honor
Display religious symbols proudly
When it suits us we pray on our knees
Only show devotion when convenient
Oh Christmas tree in verdant beauty
Beautiful tree in its lush greenery
We discard thee, when we please!
Dispose of it whenever we want
When we please! when we please!
At our convenience, without hesitation
Like a dead....... Christmas tree........
Similar to lifeless holiday decor
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
congahead
Love the song and nice video
BASSTANK
...I love the music of SHT - and they're still a HUGE inspiration for me as a musician !! Keep it up and BIG regards from germany, Basstank
Pato Delgado Silva
Tremendo tema, que bueno escuchar algo nuevo de esta tremenda banda, me alegra el alma :D
Karma Black
Vocals are amazing what a range!
PolyMantra
I listen to this song over and over, but a few months between each playing - and you know what - I still love it and love hearing new things in it - but that guitar solo around 2:40 and on from there ... very Mahavishnu
Mr. Md7
Holy crap, that guy can sing!
Screaming Headless Torsos
+Mr. Md7 Hey this is Freedom , lead singer of SHT, and this guy really appreciates the compliment. Glad you're diggin' the music. Hopefully we'll get to meet at a show one day. Enjoy. Peace.
Freedom Bremner
@Red2scorer This line up is pretty amazing, Gene Lake on drums and FIma Ephron on bass. We were in Austria and Switzerland a few months ago for about a week, but we really want ot come back and stay longer. When the new album comes out, we'll tour for sure. The current line up featuresdDavid Ginyard on bass and Louis Cato on drums. It's pretty ridiculous. Merry Christmas.
Constantin Dimitrenco
i love them. we need more and more music you make. just perfect
calvis84
Best x-mas present I could ask for! Happy Hollidays y'all! hope you come back to Buenos Aires, Argentina soon! Peace Aguanten los TORSOS!!!