The band previously went under the name "Kingpi… Read Full Bio ↴First Era, 1985-1991
The band previously went under the name "Kingpin" while they played in Sweden, recording the album "Welcome To Bop City" the line-up featured Zinny J. Zan (vocals), Tim Skold going by "Tim Tim" (bass), Harry Cody (guitar) and Stixx Galore (drums). This would become the original line-up of Shotgun Messiah as the band changed their name and relocated to Los Angeles, California hungry for more success. The album they released under the Kingpin name was re-recorded and released as Shotgun Messiah's self-titled, debut album, Shotgun Messiah. The style of this album was Glam metal typical of early 1980s American bands, in the vein of Mötley Crüe and Ratt.
Second Era, 1991-1993
Soon after this, frontman Zinny J. Zan departed, leaving Tim Skold to take over vocal duties for the band, Shotgun Messiah drafted in American bassist, Bobby Lycan to fill Tim's former position. This would prove to be the bands most successful era. In 1991, the bands follow up album "Second Coming" was released, spawning their most famous hit "Heartbreak Blvd". Stylistically, due to Skold's less conventional singing style, this era saw the band playing Sleaze Glam styled Hard rock, closer to Guns N' Roses and Faster Pussycat than their previous effort.
A punk rock influence was prevalent during this period. The band released an E.P. "I Want More", featuring cover versions of songs by the Ramones, the Stooges and the New York Dolls, during this time, they were also known to cover the Sex Pistols live.
Third Era, 1993
1993 proved to be the final year for the band, Harry Cody and Tim Skold were left as the only members of Shotgun Messiah, and created what would be the last Shotgun Messiah album "Violent New Breed", this album is significantly different from the previous efforts as it focused heavily on Industrial rock stylings, bringing in live players for the Violent New Breed tour. Soon after the band split permanently, citing artistic differences as the reason.Skold would have a stint in KMFDM.
Zan and Stixx (going only by his first name) reunited in 2012 as Shotgun. They wanted to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Welcome to Bop City, the original debut album from the band's first incarnation as Kingpin before changing their name to Shotgun Messiah. They released a live album under the Shotgun moniker. Their line-up at this point included Zan (lead vocals), Rob Marcello (guitar and backing vocals), Chris Laney (bass and backing vocals), Stixx (drums and backing vocals), and Jonas Beijer (keyboards).
You & Me
Shotgun Messiah Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Whatever I say, don't believe me
I'm a flake, ain't it sad, I'm your type
Whatever I do, you won't leave me
Stay out all night, strung out on crack
Face my contempt or get stabbed in the back
Fire in my eyes, frost in my heart
One more chance
I ask, one more chance
You and me, we were meant to be
I didn't mean to hurt you
Can't you see, we were meant to be
I din't mean to hurt you, baby
I'm so sly, I'm a flirt, I'm untrue
Whatever I say, don't believe me
So you cry, so you hurt, so what's new
Whatever I do, you won't leave me
Caught in the act, lie my way out
Give me the benefit when there's no doubt
Think that you knew right from the start
Still you don't wanna part
One more chance
I ask, one more chance
You and me, we were meant to be
I didn't mean to hurt you
Can't you see, we were meant to be
I din't mean to hurt you, baby
You wait by the phone for my call
Meanwhile I'm havin' a ball
I doubt if I call you at all
You and me, meant to be
You and me, meant to be
You and me, meant to be
You and me, meant to be (to fade)
The lyrics to Shotgun Messiah's song "You & Me" capture the complexities and contradictions of a toxic relationship. The singer presents themselves as a fake and a flake, a person who can't be trusted or counted on, yet the other person can't seem to let go. The singer describes themselves as strung out and contemptuous, yet the other person waits by the phone for their call. The chorus repeats the phrase "we were meant to be," perhaps as a way for the singer to justify their behavior or to cling to the idea that there's still hope for the relationship.
The song also touches on the theme of unintended consequences. The singer didn't mean to hurt the other person, yet their actions have caused pain and heartache. This speaks to the idea that even when we have good intentions, our behavior can still have negative effects on others.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm a fake, I'm all bad, I'm all hype
I am not genuine, I am completely inadequate, and I am only popular because of false claims and hype.
Whatever I say, don't believe me
Do not trust anything I say, as it is probably a lie.
I'm a flake, ain't it sad, I'm your type
I am unreliable and inconsistent, which is unfortunate, but somehow that makes me desirable to you.
Whatever I do, you won't leave me
No matter how many times I disappoint and hurt you, you still won't walk away from our toxic relationship.
Stay out all night, strung out on crack
I will be out all night, high on crack cocaine.
Face my contempt or get stabbed in the back
You can either deal with my disdain for you, or I will betray you.
Fire in my eyes, frost in my heart
My passion blinds me, but I am emotionally cold towards you.
Still you don't wanna part
Despite all of the red flags, you refuse to end our relationship.
One more chance
Give me another opportunity to hurt you.
You and me, we were meant to be
We are fated to be together, even though our relationship is unhealthy.
I didn't mean to hurt you
I never intended to cause you pain, even though I do it every chance I get.
Can't you see, we were meant to be
You need to realize that our dysfunctional relationship is destiny.
I'm so sly, I'm a flirt, I'm untrue
I am sneaky and unfaithful, always looking for someone else.
So you cry, so you hurt, so what's new
Your tears and pain are nothing new, but I do not care.
Caught in the act, lie my way out
If I get caught cheating or doing something else wrong, I will just tell another lie to get out of trouble.
Give me the benefit when there's no doubt
Even when I am clearly in the wrong, you still give me the benefit of the doubt.
Think that you knew right from the start
You probably had an inkling that our relationship was going to be trouble from the beginning.
You wait by the phone for my call
You anxiously wait for me to call or text you, even though I may not even bother.
Meanwhile I'm havin' a ball
While you are worrying about me, I am out having fun and not thinking about you at all.
I doubt if I call you at all
There is a good chance that I will not even bother to contact you, even though you are waiting for me.
You and me, meant to be
Our relationship is predestined, even though it is dysfunctional and unhealthy.
You and me, meant to be (to fade)
Our destiny is to be together, even if it means causing each other pain and heartache.
Contributed by Camilla G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.