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.
Little Wing
Screaming Headless Torsos Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With a circus mind
That's running wild
Butterflies and zebras and moonbeams
And fairy tales,
That's all she ever thinks about
When I'm sad she comes to me
With a thousand smiles
She gives to me free
It's alright, she says
It's alright
Take anything you want from me
Anything
Fly on, little wing
The lyrics to Screaming Headless Torsos’ version of Jimi Hendrix’s Little Wing describe a woman who has a vivid and imaginative mind. She is not bound by the practicalities of life and is free to dream of things like “butterflies and zebras and moonbeams” and “fairy tales”. Her carefree spirit is encapsulated in the line “riding with the wind”. The singer of the song finds solace in her company, especially when he is feeling sad. She brings a thousand smiles and offers him anything he wants. Her reassurance that everything will be ok is encapsulated in the repeated line “it’s alright.”
The lyrics of the song are open to interpretation, but some have suggested that the woman is a representation of the human spirit or soul, and the singer is finding comfort in that aspect of himself. The idea of flying on a little wing has been interpreted by some as a metaphor for the idea that even small things can lift us up and give us hope.
Line by Line Meaning
Well she's walking through the clouds
She's living in a fantasy world, detached from reality
With a circus mind
Her mind is full of chaos and unpredictable thoughts
That's running wild
Her thoughts and imagination are uncontrolled
Butterflies and zebras and moonbeams
Her thoughts are imaginative and dreamy
And fairy tales,
She's lost in a world of fantasy and make-believe
That's all she ever thinks about
Her mind is constantly preoccupied with whimsical thoughts
Riding with the wind
She's moving through life with a carefree attitude
When I'm sad she comes to me
She's there to comfort and uplift me
With a thousand smiles
She's happy and positive, always smiling
She gives to me free
Her love and support comes without any expectation of anything in return
It's alright, she says
She reassures me that everything will be okay
It's alright
Things are going to work out fine
Take anything you want from me
She's willing to give me whatever I need
Anything
There are no limitations to what she's willing to give
Fly on, little wing
Continue to soar and live life freely, like a bird with wings
Writer(s): Jimi Hendrix
Contributed by Maria V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.