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.
White Girl
Soul Coughing Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Heels to drag, discombobulated
Air all soft around, hear the man singing
Inclines and wires, Telegraph Avenue
Look away and she's eastbound, out of sight
Dropped here by the hand of the Astronaut
Innocent farmgirl raised by the aliens
Out in Northridge, out in the larger world
Look away and she's eastbound, out of sight
Up out of sight, white girl, white girl
The lyrics of Soul Coughing's song White Girl describe a disoriented and confused girl trying to navigate through life in an unfamiliar environment. The opening line sets the scene as the market at Van Ness, a bustling intersection in San Francisco, is mentioned. The girl seems to be out of place, with her heels dragging and feeling discombobulated. The air around her is described as soft, perhaps hinting at a sense of vulnerability. As she wanders around, she hears a man singing, which provides a moment of temporary comfort in an unfamiliar place.
The next line recalls a specific place, Telegraph Avenue, which is well-known as a cultural hub in Oakland. This line may suggest that the girl is attempting to adjust to a new location, which can be overwhelming. The chorus repeats the phrase "Look away and she's eastbound, out of sight," which could mean that the girl is constantly moving and trying to escape her surroundings, or that she is contemplating leaving her current situation and starting anew.
The following lines provide a curious backstory of the singer, suggesting that she was dropped off by an astronaut who built the pyramids - this could be interpreted metaphorically as someone who is larger than life and influential. The girl is described as innocent and raised by aliens, implying that she is a stranger in a foreign land. The final lines of the song repeat the phrase "Up out of sight, white girl, white girl," which could be interpreted as the girl leaving the area and vanishing from sight.
Overall, the song White Girl by Soul Coughing is a fascinating exploration of feeling lost amongst the hustle and bustle of a new environment, paired with a surreal backstory that adds depth to the character study.
Line by Line Meaning
White Girl, market at Van Ness
A caucasian female is at the Van Ness marketplace location
Heels to drag, discombobulated
She is struggling to walk in high heels, feeling confused and disoriented
Air all soft around, hear the man singing
The atmosphere is calm and mellow, with a man singing in the background
Inclines and wires, Telegraph Avenue
The area has hills and electrical wires, located on Telegraph Avenue
Look away and she's eastbound, out of sight
If you take your eyes off of her, she will disappear to the east
Dropped here by the hand of the Astronaut
She feels as if she was placed here by a supernatural being or force
Builder of the pyramids, the man from outer space
This being is reminiscent of the aliens or gods that supposedly helped build the pyramids in ancient times
Innocent farmgirl raised by the aliens
She is a naive, pure person from a rural background, who was raised by otherworldly beings
Out in Northridge, out in the larger world
She is from Northridge, California but has since expanded her horizons by venturing out into the wider world
Up out of sight, white girl, white girl
She disappears from view, just a memory of a young, caucasian girl
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Mark Degliantoni, Michael Doughty, Sebastian Steinberg, Yuval Gabay
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MizeroMusicNow
such unique music, been in love with them for years now
@martinfeickcanyonspringshs3803
Saw them in 1997. Great live.
@kyiaao
The thing about happiness is that you only know you had it when it's gone. It's only looking back by comparison with what comes after that you really understand, that's what happiness felt like
@bobbygnosis
Out in Northridge. Out in the larger world.
@Pattyphoenixrising7799
This band is awesome and so original~!! ;)
@davidpiacenti2601
Ruby Vroom is one of the most unique albums of all-time.
@Pattyphoenixrising7799
@@davidpiacenti2601 ......Totally agree!! 😊
@longerino
everything is fine fine fine
@niceassinspector
up outta sight!
@crazychadmb
love it