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.
Super Bon Bon
Soul Coughing Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
and let the man go through.
Let the man go through.
If I stole
Somebody else's wave
To fly up.
Up with the avenue
Behind me.
Some kind of verb.
Some kind of moving thing.
Something unseen.
Some hand is motioning
to rise, to rise, to rise.
Too fat, fat you must cut lean.
You got to take the elevator to the mezzanine,
Chump, change, and it's on, super bon bon
Super bon bon, Super bon bon.
And by
The phone
I live
In fear
Sheer Chance
Will draw
You in
To here.
The lyrics of "Super Bon Bon" can be interpreted in different ways, but it seems to reflect the experience of being a misfit trying to find a place in society. The "man" that needs to go through could represent the singer, who is asking for a chance to be recognized and accepted. The mention of stealing somebody else's wave could be a metaphor for trying to succeed by following others' footsteps, but feeling guilty about it.
The lyrics further describe the struggle of finding one's identity and purpose. The "avenue" and "verb" could represent the different paths and actions that the singer is taking to become someone. The idea of an unseen force pushing the singer to rise could express the desire to be something greater, but feeling blocked by external factors. The line "Too fat, fat you must cut lean" could refer to the pressure to conform to society's standards and expectations. This could relate to the message conveyed in other Soul Coughing's songs, which often address social issues and the struggle to fit in.
The last verse brings a new character, a woman by the phone. This could represent an anxiety or fear that the singer is experiencing, perhaps related to the possibility of being rejected or not finding a place. The phrase "sheer chance will draw you in to here" could suggest that the singer is afraid of being overwhelmed by external forces and losing control.
Line by Line Meaning
Move aside, and let the man go through.
Please move out of the way and allow this specific man to pass through.
Let the man go through.
I am reiterating my request for you to allow the man to pass through.
If I stole Somebody else's wave To fly up.
I may have taken another's idea to elevate myself.
If I rose Up with the avenue Behind me.
I may have progressed with my achievements while leaving the past behind me.
Some kind of verb. Some kind of moving thing. Something unseen. Some hand is motioning to rise, to rise, to rise.
There is an unknown force or power that is moving me forward and encouraging me to keep advancing.
Too fat, fat you must cut lean. You got to take the elevator to the mezzanine, Chump, change, and it's on, super bon bon Super bon bon, Super bon bon.
You need to trim down to reach your goals; figuratively, you need to move up to the next level to make a change, and once you do, success is guaranteed.
And by The phone I live In fear Sheer Chance Will draw You in To here.
I dread the possibility that you may come here by sheer coincidence, and I am always on edge by the phone.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MARK DEGLIANTONI, MICHAEL DOUGHTY, SEBASTIAN STEINBERG, YUVAL GABAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@captstaats4036
Heard this song the very first time on Reacher. What a perfect track for the scene. Looking forward to more of their songs.
@oldwolfxv8679
It's crazy how a track or artist or whatever can completely and utterly pass you by, then 20+ years later just hit like a fucking truck.
@kukucska1984
Same here, how could I have missed this in the 90s??
@sneaky98gt
Same! What an awesome song!
@Benifull
Thats why I am here too. Bad ass song, had to find out more about it and it rocks!!
@Benifull
The episode is named, The man goes through. Awesome
@Francellabphotograph
Thank you, Jack Reacher, for resurrecting this song. Brings back memories. This baseline is ❤🔥
@pawelkwap
I discovered this song after last episode of JR :)
@photobob3
Thank you Reacher for introducing me to this song.
@Joey1970T
Great base, forgot about this song and SC. Going back a rediscovering these guys and other bands like Primus.