Soul Coughing was a New York-based alternative rock band. The band found mo… Read Full Bio ↴Soul Coughing was a New York-based alternative rock band. The band found modest mainstream success during the mid-to-late 90's. Soul Coughing developed a devout fanbase and have garnered largely positive response from critics. Steve Huey describes the band as "one of the most unique cult bands of the '90s ... driven by frontman M. Doughty's stream-of-consciousness poetry, Soul Coughing's sound was a willfully idiosyncratic mix of improvisational jazz grooves, oddball samples, hip-hop, electronics, and noisy experimentalism (described by Doughty as 'deep slacker jazz').

Soul Coughing,was founded by vocalist and guitarist Mike Doughty (who billed himself at the time as 'M. Doughty'), a folk singer, slam poet, and music writer.

Doughty was a doorman at the old Knitting Factory on Houston Street in New York. While working there he met sampler artist Mark De Gli Antoni, upright bass player Sebastian Steinberg, drummer Yuval Gabay, and artist David Linton. Doughty convinced them to join him in forming a new band. They played their first gig, as 'M. Doughty's Soul Coughing' at the Knitting Factory on June 15, 1992, a late-Monday night slot that Doughty cadged from his boss because nobody else wanted it. In 1993, he founded a club night called SLAW at CBGB's 313 Gallery, which was meant to emulate the popular jazz and hip hop club Giant Step, but eventually became a showcase for Soul Coughing. Posters for SLAW were headlined 'Deep Slacker Jazz' (a parody of The Who's slogan 'Maximum R&B'), which became an enduring description of the band's sound.

The band was signed within a year to Warner Brothers subsidiary Slash Records, and released three albums: Ruby Vroom (1994), Irresistible Bliss (1996), and El Oso (1998). They enjoyed minor hit singles with "Circles," "Super Bon Bon," and "Screenwriter's Blues."

The band broke up in 2000, after years of feuding over songwriting credits and publishing money. Doughty continued as a solo artist, and Gabay, Steinberg, and De Gli Antoni have been involved with other projects including a trio disc sans Doughty in 2004.

212
Soul Coughing Lyrics

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Uh, having trouble remembering your rent?
Just Dial 1-800-FREAKSTYLE

I Know,
I Know,
I Know,
Eat out the donut.

Your mind bumping to the beatbox Stooges.
You like it ’cause you lose it.

I Know,
I Know,
I Know,
Eat out the donut.

Young Baby Don’t Jump the track
You gotta stop that bubbling up in the apartment

(Incoherent Rambling)

I Know,
I Know,

I Know,
Eat out the donut.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Soul Coughing's song 212 are a collection of seemingly disconnected phrases that create a surreal and abstract vibe. The first two lines mention a phone number for people who are having trouble remembering their rent. This is a humorous suggestion that those who are struggling financially could benefit from the "freakstyle" lifestyle offered by the song.

The chorus of the song is repeating the phrase "I know, I know, I know, eat out the donut." This could be interpreted as a suggestion to enjoy life and indulge in simple pleasures, like eating a donut.

The verse talks about the listener's mind being "bumping to the beatbox Stooges," which suggests an appreciation for unconventional and experimental music. The line "you like it 'cause you lose it" adds a sense of abandon and letting go to the theme of enjoying life.

The final line of the verse warns against letting emotions bubble up too much and causing trouble in the apartment, which contrasts with the carefree message of the chorus.

Overall, the lyrics of 212 are a mixture of absurd humor and surreal imagery, encouraging listeners to embrace the moment and find joy in the simple things in life.

Line by Line Meaning

Uh, having trouble remembering your rent?
Are you having difficulty paying your rent on time?

Just Dial 1-800-FREAKSTYLE
Call our hotline number for assistance with your financial problems.

I Know, I Know, I Know, Eat out the donut.
This phrase is repeated throughout the song and is open to interpretation. It could refer to indulging in something pleasurable or satisfying.

Your mind bumping to the beatbox Stooges.
You are enjoying the music of the Stooges and it's causing a physical reaction in your mind.

You like it ’cause you lose it.
You enjoy this experience because it causes you to lose control.

Young Baby Don’t Jump the track
Don't get distracted or lose focus.

You gotta stop that bubbling up in the apartment
You need to address the tension or issues that are causing problems in your living space.

(Incoherent Rambling)
This part of the song is unclear and difficult to interpret.

Contributed by Luke T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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