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.
Misinformed
Soul Coughing Lyrics
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All dolled up in bellhop drag
It is like a burden to the beat, to the long gone
I was once misinformed about your intentions
Were you right to burn the rock star? Were you right to drop the roster?
On dollar bill, one dollar bill
Nah nah nah
The lyrics to Soul Coughing's song Misinformed are rich with ambiguity, leaving listeners to take their own interpretations of what exactly is happening. The opening line "His eyes go funny, you can't place why" suggests that there is something strange or unusual happening with the subject's eyes. This could indicate something physically wrong or perhaps a mental state of confusion. The next line "All dolled up in bellhop drag" paints the picture of the subject wearing a costume or uniform. This costume seems to be at odds with the beat, or rhythm of the song, creating a sense of unease or discordance.
The following lines "It is like a burden to the beat, to the long gone" continue to build on this feeling of unease. The "burden" could refer to the weight of the costume or the feeling of being out of place in the moment. The reference to the "long gone" suggests that this feeling of being out of place has been happening for some time. The final line "I was once misinformed about your intentions" shifts the focus to the singer's own experience. The confusion and discordance created by the subject's presence seems to be a result of the singer's own misunderstandings.
Overall, the lyrics to Misinformed paint a vivid picture of a moment of confusion and discordance, where the subject's costume and behavior seem to be at odds with the rhythm and feeling of the moment. The singer's own misinformed assumptions add to the sense of tension and unease, leaving listeners to wonder what exactly is happening in the moment.
Line by Line Meaning
His eyes go funny, you can't place why.
There is something off about his eyes, but you cannot identify the reason behind it.
All dolled up in bellhop drag
He is dressed in a bellhop costume or outfit.
It is like a burden to the beat, to the long gone
The music feels heavy and reminiscent of the past.
I was once misinformed about your intentions
I used to have incorrect information about what you wanted or meant.
Were you right to burn the rock star? Were you right to drop the roster?
Is it justifiable to criticize and remove famous musicians or bands from a label or group?
On dollar bill, one dollar bill
A dollar bill is shown, emphasized, or mentioned.
Nah nah nah
No discernible meaning, possibly just filler or emphasis on the previous line.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MARK DEGLIANTONI, MICHAEL DOUGHTY, SEBASTIAN STEINBERG, YUVAL GABAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind