Their debut album, It's Five O'Clock Somewhere, was released in 1995. For the supporting tour, Slash enlisted James LoMenzo and Brian Tichy, of Pride & Glory, in place of Inez and Sorum, who had other commitments. They played shows in the US, Europe, Japan and Australia before Geffen Records pulled their financial support for the tour, with Slash returning to Guns N' Roses and Slash's Snakepit disbanding.
Following his departure from Guns N' Roses in 1996, Slash formed the cover band Slash's Blues Ball. After a tour in 1997, Slash approached Blues Ball bassist Johnny Griparic about forming a new lineup of Slash's Snakepit. The new lineup consisted of Slash, Griparic, singer Rod Jackson, guitarist Ryan Roxie, and drummer Matt Laug (Roxie and Laug were both former members of Alice Cooper's solo band). They recorded and released their second album, entitled Ain't Life Grand, in 2000, which was preceded by a tour supporting AC/DC and followed by their own headlining tour. For the tour, Keri Kelli joined the group in place of Ryan Roxie, who departed following the completion of the album. However, after the final show, Slash disbanded Snakepit due to a lack of commitment from his band members. Shortly after, Slash formed Velvet Revolver in 2002, along with drummer and fellow Guns N' Roses member Matt Sorum.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slash's_Snakepit
Studio albums
It's Five O'Clock Somewhere (1995)
Ain't Life Grand (2000)
What Do You Want to Be
Slash's Snakepit Lyrics
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If it was me I'd have it fixed
And with everywhere you've been
You're much too old to be so naive
So what the hell do you want to be
Following the trends that never end
I can't stand the parties you attend
Oh, you're so underground
Oh, ain't that swell
Well the word is on the street
You're collecting sympathy and
then you hide
And ya ain't been out in days
Will the sunshine burn your face
Preserve your precious skin
I'll go out, you stay in
What the hell do you want to be
Following the trends that never end
I can't stand the parties you attend
So what the hell do you want with me
Please don't feed the pigeons
Out of the same sad bag of tricks
I've heard it all a million times
You make me sicker than
the wine you drink
So if you think I need some help
Climb out of your own shell
It'll make you think
So what the hell do you want to be
Following the trends that never end
Why is it that I can't
stand your friends
So what the hell do you want with me
What the hell do you want to be
Following fashion in the sheets
Chasing every other flavor
of the week
So what the hell do you want from me
What do you want to be
What do you want to be
What do you want to be
What do you want from me
Looking for anyone who's somebody
What do you want from me
What do you want from me
The lyrics of Slash's Snakepit's song "What Do You Want To Be" talk about the singer's frustration with someone who is unable to find their identity and keep changing themselves to fit in with the latest trend. The singer is tired of attending the parties the person goes to and is disgusted by their tendency to collect sympathy. The singer also encourages the person to come out of their shell and figure out what they want to be. The song is a reflection of the larger societal problem of people's obsession with fitting in and the fear of being out of place.
The song highlights the theme of conformity and the pressure individuals feel to conform to societal norms. Society is constantly changing, and keeping up with it can be exhausting, as seen in the lyrics "Following the trends that never end." This theme is one that appears in many rock songs, and Slash's Snakepit explores it in their own unique way through this song.
Moreover, the song talks about a specific person who is indecisive and unable to find their identity, as seen in "What the hell do you want to be?". The lyrics convey the idea that it's essential to be confident in oneself and one's identity. The underlying message of the song is that one should be true to themselves and not conform to society's expectations.
Line by Line Meaning
Sour, this affliction
This situation is unpleasant and troubling
If it was me I'd have it fixed
If I were in your shoes, I would take care of this issue
And with everywhere you've been
Considering all the places you've visited
You're much too old to be so naive
You are too experienced to be so unaware and innocent
So what the hell do you want to be
What is your ultimate goal or aspiration?
Following the trends that never end
Constantly adhering to popular fashion or habits that never go away
I can't stand the parties you attend
I dislike the social gatherings that you go to
So what the hell do you want with me
Why are you interested in me?
Oh, you're so underground
You are part of a subculture that is not widely recognized
Oh, ain't that swell
Isn't that great
Well the word is on the street
People are talking about you
You're collecting sympathy and then you hide
You try to gain pity from others and then you withdraw from them
And ya ain't been out in days
You have not gone outside for a while
Will the sunshine burn your face
Do you fear going outside and getting sunburnt?
Preserve your precious skin
Take care of yourself and keep your skin healthy
I'll go out, you stay in
I will go outside while you remain indoors
Please don't feed the pigeons
Don't indulge in meaningless activities
Out of the same sad bag of tricks
Using the same old methods that have proven to be ineffective
I've heard it all a million times
I am tired of listening to the same things over and over again
You make me sicker than the wine you drink
You disgust me more than the alcohol you consume
So if you think I need some help
If you believe that I require assistance
Climb out of your own shell
Get out of your comfort zone and grow
It'll make you think
It will force you to ponder and reflect
Why is it that I can't stand your friends
Why is it that I find your companions unbearable?
Following fashion in the sheets
Being trendy in the bedroom
Chasing every other flavor of the week
Pursuing whatever is popular at the time
What do you want from me
What is it that you desire from me?
What do you want to be
What is your ambition?
Looking for anyone who's somebody
Searching for a significant or influential figure
What do you want from me
What is it that you desire from me?
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ERIC J. DOVER, MATT SORUM, MICHAEL A. INEZ, SAUL HUDSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind