Philip Charles Lithman (June 17, 1949 - July 1, 1987), who performed under … Read Full Bio ↴Philip Charles Lithman (June 17, 1949 - July 1, 1987), who performed under the stage name Snakefinger, was an English musician, singer and songwriter. A multi-instrumentalist, he was best known for his guitar work and his collaborations with The Residents.

Lithman was born in London, England, and came from the British Blues scene. He moved to San Francisco in 1971 and became associated with the avant-garde group The Residents. It is said he was given the name 'Snakefinger' by The Residents themselves when they saw his proficiency with the guitar during their first live performance together. Another explanation for the name comes from a story concerning a party in San Francisco, at The Residents' collective, wherein all in attendance watched Lithman's fingers dart snake-like at the neck of his violin.

In 1972 Lithman returned to England and formed the pub rock band Chilli Willi & The Red Hot Peppers with Martin Stone, a fellow ex-member of Junior's Blues Band. As a duo, they released the album "Kings of the Robot Rhythm". In 1974, as a full band and popular live act in Britain, they released "Bongos Over Balham".

Chilly Willy lasted until 1975, their last record not selling well, and by 1976 Lithman was back in the United States, this time in Los Angeles, California, seeking a recording contract, shopping his rock-style demos.

After a few years, Lithman moved back to San Francisco, reconnected with The Residents, and performed and recorded with them. Lithman's solo records, recorded under the name Snakefinger, were released by The Residents' record label Ralph Records.

His first album on Ralph was "Chewing Hides the Sound" in 1979, featuring original material co-written with The Residents as well as esoteric covers like Kraftwerk's "The Model". The songs showcased Lithman's distinctive slide guitar playing and often surreal imagery. This album was followed by "Greener Postures" in 1980, which included his first solo compositions as Snakefinger.

While on tour in Australia in 1980, Lithman had a heart attack that left him hospitalized for six months.

In 1982 Lithman formed his backing band The Vestal Virgins with former Captain Beefheart sideman Eric Drew Feldman. Snakefinger and The Vestal Virgins released "Manual of Errors" on Ralph in 1982. This was followed by the blues cover album "Snakefinger's History Of The Blues- Live In Europe" in 1984 and a new collection of largely original material in 1986 called "Night of Desirable Objects".

Lithman performed with The Residents on their 13th Anniversary Tour in 1986. On July 1st, 1987, Snakefinger and his band, The Vestal Virgins, were in Linz, Austria, on the European Night tour. During a performance at the Posthof Club Lithman suffered a fatal heart attack. On that same day his single, "There's No Justice in Life", was released.

Snakefinger was buried in England. The Residents participated in a wake for him, known as The Snakey Wake, in San Francisco.

Snakefinger is sorely missed by all.

I Come From an Island
Snakefinger Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I come from an island (listen)
I come from an I land

Rocks, all 'round our island there are rocks
On which our ships all dock
They crumble into grains of sand
Upon which our island stands

I come from an eye land (listen)
I come from a nigh land

Fish, that's all we get to eat here, fish
It is our national dish
But one day if our dream comes true
We'll barbecue a cockatoo

I come from an island (listen)
I come from an 'igh land

Overall Meaning

The song "I Come From an Island" by Snakefinger conveys a sense of pride and identity in one's cultural roots. The repetition of the phrase "I come from an island" emphasizes the singer's connection to a specific place and community, and the slight variations in pronunciation ("I land," "nigh land," "igh land") suggest the fluidity of language and the diversity within that community. The first verse describes the rocky coastline that surrounds the island, emphasizing the importance of the ocean and the ships that bring goods and people to and from the island. The line "Upon which our island stands" suggests a determination to survive in a challenging environment, and perhaps a sense of resilience and strength in the face of adversity.

The second verse highlights the limited food options on the island, specifically fish as the national dish. The line "But one day if our dream comes true / We'll barbecue a cockatoo" suggests a longing for something different, a desire to expand beyond the familiar and try something new. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for a broader desire for cultural exchange and exploration.

Overall, "I Come From an Island" is a celebration of cultural identity and a reflection on the challenges and joys of life in a specific place. The song conveys a sense of pride in one's roots while also acknowledging the desire for connection and exploration beyond those roots.

Line by Line Meaning

I come from an island (listen)
I come from a land surrounded by water

Rocks, all 'round our island there are rocks
There are large stones that encircle our small land

On which our ships all dock
Our boats anchor against them

They crumble into grains of sand
Over time, the rocks disintegrate into smaller pieces

Upon which our island stands
The small particles left behind by the decaying rocks make up the ground of our land

Fish, that's all we get to eat here, fish
The only source of protein available for us to consume on this island is fish

It is our national dish
Because we have no other options, fish has become a cultural delicacy

But one day if our dream comes true
Though unlikely, we hold onto hope that a change will come

We'll barbecue a cockatoo
We imagine a future where there is a diversity of food options and abundance

I come from an eye land (listen)
I come from a land that is hard to leave and offers little diversity

I come from an 'igh land
I come from a land that is elevated and thus isolated