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.
The Incumbent
Soul Coughing Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I won't go back
Indelible reminder of the steel I lack
I gave you seven years
What did you give me back?
A jaw-grind, disposition to a panic attack
On this side the incumbent
There's only one everything
Red sucker mouth
The lyrics to Soul Coughing's The Incumbent are complex and open to interpretation. At first glance, the singer seems to be expressing dissatisfaction with New York City, stating that they won't go back because it reminds them of their own inadequacy - the "steel they lack." However, the lyrics quickly shift to a more political tone, criticizing the incumbent (current office holder) and suggesting that they are a literal and metaphorical mouthpiece for corruption and predatory behavior. The line "there's only one everything" could be read as a commentary on the concentration of power and influence in the hands of a select few.
Overall, the song seems to be calling for change and for people to recognize the flaws in the current system. It implies that those in positions of power are not using them to benefit the people they serve, but instead to serve their own interests - hence the "red sucker mouth" line. The use of repetition and wordplay throughout the song adds to its complexity and makes it a challenging and thought-provoking piece of music.
Line by Line Meaning
New York, New York
This is the location where something happened, and it is being repeated for emphasis.
I won't go back
The singer does not want to return to this particular place.
Indelible reminder of the steel I lack
The location serves as a constant reminder of the singer's perceived weakness or inability to handle something.
I gave you seven years
The artist spent seven years of their life in this place.
What did you give me back?
The artist feels as though they did not receive anything of value in return for their time spent in this place.
A jaw-grind, disposition to a panic attack
The singer has developed physical and emotional reactions to this place that cause them distress and discomfort.
On this side the incumbent
The current person in power or in charge is located on the side of the singer.
And who quoth
The artist is asking a rhetorical question about a mysterious or unknown person.
There's only one everything
The concept of everything can only be singular and united, rather than fragmented or divided.
Red sucker mouth
Unclear - this could possibly be interpreted as a reference to a powerful, intimidating person, or a symbol of the artist's frustration and anger towards the unknown person being addressed.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MARK DEGLIANTONI, MICHAEL DOUGHTY, SEBASTIAN STEINBERG, YUVAL GABAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind