On October 24, 1995, Spacehog released their debut album Resident Alien, which spawned the singles "In the Meantime" and "Cruel to be Kind". The band's second album, The Chinese Album, was released on March 10, 1998. Though it did not sell as well as Resident Alien, the band's popularity was increasing as Spacehog opened for popular acts like Pearl Jam and Supergrass. The Chinese Album featured a more "artsy" sound, with Pink Floyd-like piano on the opening track and Michael Stipe of R.E.M contributing vocals to the song "Almond Kisses".
In 2001, Spacehog released their final album, The Hogessy.
In 2002, Spacehog quietly broke up and the band members went their separate ways, but reformed in 2008.
Cruel to Be Kind
Spacehog Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
and I dug all I could toward the good of your kind
but they say it's better to be twisted black and blue
chopped down like an old wooden tree and planted new
than it is to spend a life time in the jail of your mind
CHORUS
and you don't have to be a fool to be blind
and you don't have to be a down and out
to be down sometimes
Her dreams were full of dreams like leaves in the wind
that were scattered to the edges of the world and back again
Oh there's more to me than you can see from here my friends
here there are no why's so why do you pretend
I hear my critic laugh and he's my only friend
CHORUS
And now that I'm free from the jail of your mind
and I feel rather tied like a crying child
I wanted to be better than the rest
new kind of man, lot more than blood and flesh
but now I'm left on my own in the jail of my mind
CHORUS
The lyrics of Spacehog's "Cruel to Be Kind" tackle the idea of emotional imprisonment and how it's crucial not to let ourselves be trapped in the jail of our own thoughts. The song talks about someone who had to endure emotional abuse and manipulation, represented by the jail of the other person's mind. Despite trying to do everything in his power to please and do good for the other person, he finally understands that it's better to be free and not compromise his own worth for someone else's sake. The chorus emphasizes that kindness and intelligence aren't mutually exclusive, and one can be kind without being a fool or blind.
The second verse shifts the focus to the dreams of the singer, which seem to have been shattered and lost due to the emotional turmoil he went through. He acknowledges that he's more than what others perceive him to be, and that sometimes people pretend not to understand others' struggles. The last two lines suggest that the singer's only critic is his own mind, which can be both a friend and an enemy.
In the final verse, the singer's finally free from the other person's mind, but he realizes he's still struggling with his own thoughts. He wanted to become a better person and break free from the chains of his past, but he finds himself lost and vulnerable, like a crying child. The lines "new kind of man, lot more than blood and flesh" highlight his desire to transform himself and find a new identity. However, he's still trapped in the jail of his own mind, and the chorus is repeated again to emphasize the message of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I done my time in the jail of your mind
I have spent a lot of time trying to understand and help you with your issues.
and I dug all I could toward the good of your kind
I did everything in my power to help you and your people.
but they say it's better to be twisted black and blue
Some people believe that it's better to go through hardships in order to come out stronger and wiser.
chopped down like an old wooden tree and planted new
It's better to start fresh and rebuild oneself.
than it is to spend a life time in the jail of your mind
It's better to move on from your issues rather than being trapped by them forever.
Her dreams were full of dreams like leaves in the wind
She had a lot of big dreams that were hard to grasp, just like how leaves float and drift in the wind.
that were scattered to the edges of the world and back again
Her dreams were all over the place and constantly changing, sometimes returning to old ideas.
Oh there's more to me than you can see from here my friends
I am deeper and more complex than I may appear on the surface.
here there are no why's so why do you pretend
In this reality, there are no clear explanations for everything, so why do you act like there are?
I hear my critic laugh and he's my only friend
My inner critic is always there, judging every move I make, and it feels like the only thing that is consistent in my life.
And now that I'm free from the jail of your mind
Now that I'm no longer tied down by your problems and issues,
and I feel rather tied like a crying child
I feel helpless and vulnerable, like a crying child who doesn't know what to do.
I wanted to be better than the rest
I had aspirations to stand out and be exceptional.
new kind of man, lot more than blood and flesh
I wanted to be a unique version of myself, more than just a physical body.
but now I'm left on my own in the jail of my mind
Now I'm left to face my own issues and problems, feeling trapped in my own thoughts and feelings.
CHORUS
The chorus simply repeats the theme of the song, that you don't have to be cruel or foolish, and that everyone goes through tough times.
Contributed by Taylor B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
So There's That
I bought this album in 1996 for “In The Meantime” (much like everyone else), and I just discovered this song last week-it’s becoming one of my favorite songs.
Machintosh
For me it was Ship Wrecked and Space Is The Place that I fell in love with
Herb Hernandez Astrologer
So great to see this! I had so much fun during this shoot. I'm in the green wig and silver outfit👀
VanielDeeform
Thank you RHINO for putting up this video up in enhanced HD. Can you please do the same for their other songs like In The Meantime?
I first noticed you posting these higher quality versions of music vids for Fuzzbox’s songs and really appreciate all the work you’re doing! Keep on Keeping on! 🙌
Martin Perotti
Great song awesome guitars even some sections are very punk ish, the piano also adds a lot!!!
Alan Angel
As an actual guitarist I rarely ever air guitar. But that little bend up after the breakdown, I always air play it.
Malachi Sowards
As an actual guitarist I always air guitar. I don’t think it was a necessary qualifier.
Fernando Menotti
Finally a HQ version (and extra intro included) of this AMAZING song!!! Thanks Rhino, I've been waiting for this forever! ❤
Fernando Menotti
@pyenapple well, this is DEFINITELY HQ considering the old version here on YouTube, hey, I was not even able to recognize who was playing which instrument. hahaha this is the best we can get so far!
pyenapple
320 isn’t exactly HQ?