The original members were Richard Fielding and Andrew Wright, and were soon joined by Tom Ellard. This later changed to Garry Bradbury, Paul Deering, and Tom Ellard; Ellard has been the only one to remain throughout the group's career, with changing lineups throughout its two and a half decades of existence, later working mainly with Stephen Jones. Robert Racic was an integral part of the band during the late eighties/early nineties.
Severed Heads performed a final concert in Sydney in January 2010. Tom Ellard uploaded a farewell video of Sevs in Space to Youtube, which may be considered as a requiem of sorts.
In early 2008, Ellard added the following text to the bottom of the official site's front page, "Severed Heads do not have a MySpace page. It is a fake. The band is dead,". (www.sevcom.com).
Petrol
Severed Heads Lyrics
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Dead Eyes Open
Petrol
Million dollar pig junior / You′re my Bangladesh
I'm crazy dynamite / I′m the cactus man
I drive a Lambourghini / I stop for petrol
You mangle my pig junior / There's tornadoes in Spain
I drive a Lambourghini / I stop for petrol
Mangle my pig junior / Mangle my pig junior / So far away / So far away...
The lyrics to Severed Heads' song "Petrol" are enigmatic and open to interpretation. The song seems to evoke feelings of complexity, chaos, and isolation. The repetition of the lines "Million dollar pig junior / You're my Bangladesh" creates a juxtaposition between wealth and poverty, suggesting a sense of contradiction or internal conflict. The mention of a Lamborghini symbolizes luxury and materialism, while the need to stop for petrol implies a need for sustenance and fuel to continue on this extravagant and intense journey.
The lines "I'm crazy dynamite / I'm the cactus man" further add to the complexity and confusion found within the lyrics. This could be interpreted as a reflection of a disturbed mental state or a sense of being torn between different identities or personas. The repeated phrase "I'm alone tonight / I'm the cactus man" emphasizes a feeling of isolation or detachment from others, while the mention of tornadoes in Spain could signify turmoil or chaos in another part of the world.
Overall, "Petrol" seems to explore themes of internal conflict, duality, materialism, and isolation. The lyrics create a fragmented and ambiguous narrative that invites listeners to draw their own interpretations and meanings from the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Million dollar pig junior / You′re my Bangladesh
I am addressing someone important as 'million dollar pig junior' and expressing that they hold a special place in my heart, comparing them to the country of Bangladesh.
I'm crazy dynamite / I′m the cactus man
I am describing myself as being full of energy and explosive like dynamite, asserting that I am a unique individual known as the 'cactus man'.
I drive a Lambourghini / I stop for petrol
I proudly claim to drive a Lamborghini, but also recognize the need to stop for fuel like everyone else.
You mangle my pig junior / There's tornadoes in Spain
I feel hurt and upset by your actions towards my beloved 'pig junior', comparing the emotional turmoil to the destructive force of tornadoes in Spain.
I'm alone tonight / I′m the cactus man
I am currently feeling lonely, emphasizing my identity as the 'cactus man'.
I drive a Lambourghini / I stop for petrol
Reiterating that despite my impressive car, I still need to take breaks to refuel.
Mangle my pig junior / Mangle my pig junior / So far away / So far away...
I repeatedly express my distress and desire for my 'pig junior' to be spared from harm, emphasizing their distance from me and how it adds to my anguish.
Writer(s): Paul Hartnoll, Phil Hartnoll
Contributed by Liliana B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.