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.

Sugar Free Jazz
Soul Coughing Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Normalize the signal and you're banging on freon
Paleolithic eon
Put the fake goatee on
And it booms as cool as
Sugar free jazz

Schools he bombs, he bombs

Stack wax lie like a placemat
Won't lap
Or help you at the automat
And it's clear and clean as
Sugar free jazz

Schools he bombs, he bombs

Fossilize apostle and I comb it with a rake
You can't escape
You pull out the brake

And it booms as cool as
Sugar free jazz

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Sugar Free Jazz by Soul Coughing are often difficult to interpret as they seem to lack a coherent narrative or a clear message. However, upon closer inspection, there are several interesting themes and ideas explored in the song. The first verse seems to be a play on words and has a certain surreal quality to it. The line “normalize the signal and you're banging on freon” suggests a resistance to being categorized or controlled, while the reference to the “paleolithic eon” reinforces the idea of rebelling against established norms. The fake goatee is perhaps a nod towards conformity and the need to fit in with the crowd. The chorus “and it booms as cool as sugar free jazz” symbolizes something that is both improvised and spontaneous yet still pleasing to the ear.

The second verse continues with the theme of rebellion as “schools he bombs” is likely a reference to rejecting traditional education or societal expectations. However, it is unclear who “he” refers to, whether the lyrical persona or someone else. The line “stack wax lie like a placemat” might be interpreted as a critique of dishonesty or a reflection on how we consume media and advertising. The reference to the automat, which was popular during the early 20th century, further emphasizes a sense of nostalgia or longing for a simpler time. The chorus is repeated, once more emphasizing the importance of being free, spontaneous and unconventional.

The third and final verse switches gears and introduces the idea of mortality and our attempts to control it. The “fossilize apostle” likely refers to trying to preserve or immortalize someone. The line “you can’t escape, you pull out the brake” suggests there is no escape from death, no way to stop time. The concluding chorus reinforces the idea that we should embrace life and be true to ourselves, even if it is not always easy or in accordance with societal norms.

Line by Line Meaning

Normalize the signal and you're banging on freon
Adjust the signal until it's stable, then it will have a strong effect like the refrigerant Freon

Paleolithic eon
A very ancient era of time

Put the fake goatee on
Wear a disguise to appear different

And it booms as cool as Sugar free jazz
It's really good, enjoyable, and smooth

Schools he bombs, he bombs
He's really good at his craft (bombs here meaning excels)

Stack wax lie like a placemat
Lay down lies that are very noticeable and won't be ignored

Won't lap or help you at the automat
He won't do anything to assist you at all

And it's clear and clean as Sugar free jazz
It's straightforward and uncomplicated but still appealing

Fossilize apostle and I comb it with a rake
Take something old and scrutinize it closely

You can't escape
There is no way out

You pull out the brake
Try to slow or stop something from happening

And it booms as cool as Sugar free jazz
It's really good, enjoyable, and smooth

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MARK DEGLIANTONI, MICHAEL DOUGHTY, SEBASTIAN STEINBERG, YUVAL GABAY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS