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.
The Golden Goat
Snakefinger Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No room in the middle
And there's no way around
Well, I can't go and I can't stay
My lungs are black
My brain is gray
I have seen the Golden Goat
I know his mane, I know his spoor
I know he waits outside my door
That goat's too weak to do me harm
But he has got a big long arm
It fills my dreams, it's in my head
It makes me shake
and wet my bed
The lyrics to "Golden Goat" by Snakefinger present a feeling of being trapped and inescapable. The first stanza describes a lack of options and choices, suggesting that the singer is feeling trapped in their current circumstances. The mention of black lungs and a gray brain could suggest a depressed state, as though the singer is feeling suffocated and overwhelmed.
The chorus adds another layer to the song, introducing the idea of a "Golden Goat." This mysterious creature seems to have an ominous presence outside of the singer's door. While the goat is described as weak, the fact that it wants to lick the singer's throat suggests a dangerous intent.
Finally, the last stanza adds a surreal element, claiming that the powerful arm of the Golden Goat is filling the singer's dreams and making them wet the bed. Overall, the song creates a sense of being trapped and pursued by a dangerous creature, perhaps inspired by a nightmare or anxious state of mind.
Line by Line Meaning
No way up and no way down
I feel stuck and unable to make progress in any direction
No room in the middle
I can't find a comfortable compromise, I'm feeling trapped
And there's no way around
I can't avoid this situation or find a solution to it
Well, I can't go and I can't stay
I'm in a difficult situation where neither leaving nor staying is a good option
My lungs are black
I'm feeling unhealthy or unable to breathe properly
My brain is gray
I'm feeling mentally exhausted or unable to think clearly
I have seen the Golden Goat
I've encountered something unique and special
And he would like to lick my throat
It's a potentially dangerous creature or situation
I know his mane, I know his spoor
I'm aware of the animal's features and tracks
I know he waits outside my door
The danger is imminent and close by
That goat's too weak to do me harm
The danger is less significant or less threatening than it initially appeared
But he has got a big long arm
There is still a risk of getting hurt or harmed in some way
It fills my dreams, it's in my head
This situation is affecting me mentally and causing anxiety
It makes me shake and wet my bed
This situation is causing me to experience physical symptoms of fear or stress
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Shanen Frost
Snakefinger is was and always will be one of my favorite understated and unorthodox guitarists in music. He's just fucking brilliant! He helped to expand the Residents music quite a bit!
TOAST
yeah i love what he did in finger prince its a really cool album
Exu Nazares
A great album!
Luc Gnomax
Le guitariste le plus original de la planète rock...
Paul Thompson
Excellent always loved this album. Check it out peeps.
Greg Parker
I see that someone named a strain after this song. Very fitting.
Mel Man
Great!
WinkLinkletter
He's in my head!!!
Mark C. Duffy
Good! It's Good
TOAST
<3