Soundgarden are associated with grunge, a style of alternative rock that developed in Seattle. After releasing two EPs on the Seattle-based label Sub-Pop in 1987 and 1988, their debut album, Ultramega OK was released on the California-based independent label SST Records in 1989. While the album did not sell well nationally, it gained critical acclaim and was nominated for a Grammy award in 1990. They recorded their second album, Louder Than Love, independently but had signed with major label A&M Records in the interim, and released the album as their major label debut. Unlike their debut, which had failed to chart, Louder Than Love peaked at number 108 on the Billboard 200 album chart. Released the same day as fellow Seattle grunge act Nirvana's album Nevermind, their third album Badmotorfinger would bring Soundgarden to national acclaim for the first time, buoyed by the popularity of the singles "Jesus Christ Pose", "Outshined", and "Rusty Cage", the album would reach number 39 on the Billboard 200 and has been certified double-platinum by the RIAA. Soundgarden was one of the seminal creators of grunge, a style of alternative rock that developed in Seattle, and was the first of a number of grunge bands to sign to the record label Sub Pop. Soundgarden was also one of the first grunge bands to sign to a major label (A&M Records in 1989), though they did not achieve commercial success until they popularized the genre in the early 1990s with Seattle contemporaries Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam, and Nirvana.
Soundgarden achieved its biggest success with the 1994 album Superunknown, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and yielded the Grammy Award-winning singles "Spoonman" and "Black Hole Sun". In 1996, the band experimented with new sonic textures on their follow-up album Down on the Upside, which debuted at number 2 on the Billboard 200 and spawned several hit singles of its own, including "Burden in My Hand" and "Blow Up the Outside World". In 1997, the band broke up due to internal strife over its creative direction and exhaustion from touring. After more than a decade of working on projects and other bands, Soundgarden reunited in 2010, and Republic Records released their sixth and final studio album, King Animal, two years later.
As of 2019, Soundgarden sold more than 14 million records in the United States, and an estimated 30 million worldwide. VH1 ranked Soundgarden at number 14 in their special 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soundgarden
Studio albums
Ultramega OK (1988)
Louder Than Love (1989)
Badmotorfinger (1991)
Superunknown (1994)
Down on the Upside (1996)
King Animal (2012)
Holy Water
Soundgarden Lyrics
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Holy Bible on the night stand next to me
As I'm raped by another monkey circus freak
Tryin' to take my indigence away from me, from me yeah
Holy water is rustin' me, yeah
Holy water is rustin' me, is rustin' me, rustin' me
Holy devil in the flesh some might believe
And they take thine majesty so seriously
'Cause it's the big lies more likely to be believed, believed
Yeah, holy water is rustin' me
Yeah, holy water is rustin' me, is rustin' me
Rustin' me, yeah
Damn the water if its life, you want to drink
Mind your mother if it makes you feel at ease
As you're raped by another monkey circus freak
'Cause its the big lies are more likely to be believed, believed
Yeah, holy water is rustin' me
Yeah, holy water is rustin' me
Yeah, holy water is rustin' me, is rustin' me
Rustin' me
Rustin' me
Rustin' me, yeah
Rustin' me
The lyrics of Soundgarden's song "Holy Water" are a commentary on the corrupting influence of religion and how it can be used to control and manipulate people. The opening lines of the song paint a vivid picture of the singer's state of mind - holy water is on his brain, and he is losing sleep. This is juxtaposed with the Holy Bible on his nightstand, showing the conflict between his beliefs and his doubts.
The lyrics continue, referencing the idea of being "raped by another monkey circus freak," which can be interpreted as a metaphor for the way that people are often coerced and controlled in the name of religion. The line "trying to take my indigence away from me" suggests that the singer's autonomy and freedom are being threatened by the forces of religion, which seek to indoctrinate and manipulate followers.
Later in the song, the lyrics reference the idea of "bloody murder" and the "holy devil in the flesh," illustrating the way that religion can be used to incite fear and manipulate people through guilt and shame. The line "they take thine majesty so seriously" refers to the way that religious institutions often claim divine authority for their teachings, despite the questionable morality of their actions.
Overall, the lyrics of "Holy Water" are a powerful critique of the ways in which religion can be used to control and manipulate people. By exploring these themes, Soundgarden was able to create a powerful and thought-provoking song that resonated with many listeners.
Line by Line Meaning
Holy water on the brain and I'm losing sleep
I am obsessed with religion and it's affecting my mental health, causing me to have trouble sleeping.
Holy bible on the night stand next to me
I keep a Bible near me as a constant reminder of my faith.
As I'm raped by another monkey circus freak
I feel violated and taken advantage of by society and its corrupt systems.
Trying to take my indigence away from me, from me yeah
People are trying to strip me of my independence and autonomy, which I will not allow.
Holy water is rusting me, yeah
The religious dogma and expectations placed on me are causing me to deteriorate mentally and emotionally.
Bloody murder is the best I've heard her scream
The world is full of violence and tragedy, and it's disturbing to witness.
Holy devil in the flesh some might believe
Some people may view me as a sinful or evil person, simply because I don't fit their idea of religious righteousness.
And they take thine majesty so seriously
People are overly reverent towards religious figures and institutions, to the point of being harmful.
'Cause it's the big lies more likely to be believed, believed
People often accept blatant falsehoods as truth, particularly when they are fed to them in a religious context.
Damn the water if its life, you want to drink
Don't blindly follow something just because it's presented as righteous or necessary - think critically and question it.
Mind your mother if it makes you feel at ease
Listen to authority figures only if you're comfortable with their guidance and trust in their intentions.
'Cause its the big lies are more likely to be believed, believed
People are prone to accepting lies if they are delivered convincingly or if the message appeals to their own biases.
Rusting me
The repetition of the phrase 'rusting me' emphasises the destructive nature of the religious pressures placed on the singer.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CORNELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind