Along with such bands as Pavement and Guided By Voices, Sebadoh helped pioneer lo-fi, a style of indie-rock characterized by low-fidelity recording techniques, often on four-track machines. The band's early output, such as Weed Forestin (1990) and III (1992), was typical of this style, and wavered between Barlow's wry, introspective folk and Gaffney's psychedelic noise-rock experiments.
Following 1993's Bubble and Scrape, Gaffney left the band. His replacement, Bob Fay, appeared on the band's most acclaimed and consistent effort, 1994's Bakesale, which saw the emergence of the songwriting talents of multi-instrumentalist Jason Loewenstein, and the follow-up Harmacy in 1996.
Fay left the band before the sessions for The Sebadoh (1999), to be replaced by Russ Pollard. Following the tour to promote this album (2000), the band went on hiatus, with Barlow concentrating on his other project, the Folk Implosion, and Loewenstein working on material for his debut solo album At Sixes and Sevens, released in 2002. The two reunited to play concerts in late 2003 and the spring of 2004.
In 2006, III was reissued with a bonus disc and expanded liner notes. In 2007, the band (reunited with Eric Gaffney) was touring.
In 2013, Defend Yourself was released followed by Act Surprised in 2019.
Discography:
* The Freed Man (1989)
* Weed Forestin' (1990)
* The Freed Weed (1990)
* III (1992)
* Rocking The Forest (1992)
* Sebadoh vs. Helmet (1990)
* Smash Your Head On The Punk Rock (1992)
* Bubble and Scrape (1993)
* 4 Song CD (1994)
* Bakesale (1994)
* Harmacy (1996)
* The Sebadoh (1999)
* Defend Yourself (2013)
* Act Surprised (2019)
Flame
Sebadoh Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't know her name
I don't want to go where the seekers all go
I don't want to go
[CHORUS
You can feel anything you want to feel (x2)
And call it real
I can't complain though I'm wrapped up in chains
I can't complain
Everybody's got the right to be free
But that's not me
(Chorus)
Hit the flame, burn a hole in my brain
Never be the same
Try to take it slow, but she's pushing me to go
Where I don't want to go
(Chorus)
I don't want to be the one who rides flame (x6)
The lyrics to Sebadoh's song "Flame" are a commentary on the dangers of seeking out intense experiences and living without boundaries. The singer is resistant to getting caught up in such a lifestyle, denying any desire to be the one to "ride flame" or to go where "seekers all go." The chorus repeats the phrase "You can feel anything you want to feel, and call it real" twice, highlighting the idea that simply feeling intensely doesn't necessarily lead to a fulfilling or meaningful life. The singer acknowledges that they are currently "wrapped up in chains," but still emphasizes that they don't want to be the one to succumb to the lure of the flame.
The second verse presents an interesting contrast to the first. The singer acknowledges that everyone has the right to be free, but clarifies that they themselves are not interested in that kind of freedom. This serves to reinforce the idea that the pursuit of intensity and freedom can be dangerous, and that not everyone is cut out for such a lifestyle. The final verse takes a more fatalistic tone, describing how the flame has burned a hole in the singer's brain and left them forever changed. They try to resist the flame, but it is tempting them to go where they don't want to go.
Overall, "Flame" is a cautionary tale about the perils of seeking out intense experiences and living a life without boundaries. It emphasizes that not everyone is cut out for that kind of lifestyle, and that simply feeling intensely doesn't necessarily lead to a meaningful existence.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't want to be the one who rides flame
The singer does not want to be involved in a dangerous or risky situation
I don't know her name
The singer is unfamiliar and unacquainted with the person they are referring to
I don't want to go where the seekers all go
The singer does not want to follow the crowd or go where everyone else is going
I don't want to go
The artist expresses their unwillingness and lack of desire to do something
You can feel anything you want to feel
The artist conveys that people have the power and freedom to feel however they choose
And call it real
People may perceive their feelings as valid and true, even if they may not necessarily be so
I can't complain though I'm wrapped up in chains
The singer acknowledges their situation may be difficult, but they hold no complaints
Everybody's got the right to be free
The artist recognizes that everyone is entitled to freedom
But that's not me
The artist, despite belief in freedom for all, does not identify with that sentiment personally
Hit the flame, burn a hole in my brain
The artist is describing intoxication or obsession with an activity or person that is harming them mentally
Never be the same
The singer acknowledges that their interaction with the flame or person will forever alter their perception and thought process
Try to take it slow, but she's pushing me to go
The artist attempts to be cautious but feels forced to take unnecessary risks by another person
Where I don't want to go
The singer does not want to participate in the dangerous behavior or follow the other person
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: LOUIS KNOX BARLOW
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Danika Sharpe
I don't want to be the one who rides flame
I don't know her name
I don't want to go where the seekers all go
I don't want to go
[CHORUS
You can feel anything you want to feel (x2)
And call it real
But I don't want to be the one who rides flame (x2)]
I can't complain though I'm wrapped up in chains
I can't complain
Everybody's got the right to be free
But that's not me
Hit the flame, burn a hole in my brain
Never be the same
Try to take it slow, but she's pushing me to go
Where I don't want to go
Hit the flame, burn a hole in my brain
Never be the same
Try to take it slow, but she's pushing me to go
Where I don't want to go
I don't want to be the one who rides flame (x6)
Dr. Sneaky
I was like 14 when my mom gave me an old PC from her administration job, on it I discovered this and many more 90’s gold. My life was forever changed. I spent days listening to that strangers old playlist saved deep in the recesses of that computer, months. It helped me cope with so much of my youth. I will never forget this jam with many others. Thank you stranger.
TangoAmiYumi
That stranger sounds like a cool guy
[angrylobster]
...wow.
Chiliboom
That sounds like we were right there around Era together.
Andy M
Check out songs for polar bears it's very similar to this.
Smith Nameman
Well, post some of the other great music, Doc!
Marco MB
The composition and production of this song is perfection.
codybroken
One riff, one rhythm, start to finish and IT ROCKS
Chet Black
There are lots of examples of great songs like that, The Cure's "Fascination Street" is one of them, but like this one, it introduces new melodic lines as it 'grows' - the break in middle of this song does that - sounds like a cheap Casio keyboard playing those four notes that play for four bars, giving listeners something new to hear in songs that never seem to change all the way through.
Graeme Hughes
This was my going out song for a while, play this to get me in the mood as I wLked out the door. Hugely underrated band