Steve Miller (born 5 October 1943) is a blues and rock and roll guitarist and performer. He was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin but attended high school in Dallas. While at St. Mark's School of Texas, he formed his first band, The Marksmen. Miller taught one of his classmates, Royce Boz Scaggs, a few guitar chords so that he could join the band; Scaggs became better known by his nickname, Boz. Miller attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison during the 1960s, where he formed The Ardells. Scaggs joined the Ardells the next year. Ben Sidran was added to the Ardells as a keyboardist the following year.
In 1968, Miller formed the Steve Miller Band, with Scaggs handling vocals, and released an album, Children of the Future, the first in a series of discs rooted solidly in the psychedelic blues style that dominated the San Francisco music scene at the time. Scaggs would leave the band after a couple of albums with vocal chores taken over by drummer Tim Davis; Miller himself would begin singing occasional lead on 1969's Brave New World. These albums performed respectably on the album charts but failed to yield a hit.
In the 1970's the band had some hits that became classics over the years - Jet Airliner, with some evocative lyrics that brought home the loss of life on the road; and The Joker which includes the famous line about the "pompatus of love", which is of course nonsense, but that didn't stop a lot of stoned folks from spending years talking amongst themselves.
Steve Miller's father was a wealthy doctor in Dallas, and friends with famous guitarist and guitar designer Les Paul. Les Paul gave Miller his first guitar lessons.
Longtime member Norton Buffalo (harmonica player) died from lung cancer on October 30, 2009.
John King (drummer during "The Joker" era) died after a short bout of kidney cancer on October 26, 2010.
Band-member James Cooke died from cancer on 16 May 2011.
Macho City
Steve Miller Band Lyrics
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Macho City
Macho City
Macho City (Macho City)
Welcome to the entertainment
Here now are the facts (Macho City)
Presented by reporters
All around the world
The message is hot and smoking (Macho City)
Would you like to see the future
Nobody's joking (Macho City)
Velcro people with
X-Ray sight (Macho City)
Will be making judgements
About what's wrong and what's right (Macho City)
Politicians and lawyers
All know what it means (Macho City)
They'll be keeping it all legal
With political visquine
Macho City
Macho City
As time marches
Through the ages
Macho men always
Shooting up history's pages
Taking over this (ooh)
Taking over that (ooh)
Macho men always
Where it's at
El Salvador
Afghanistan (Macho City)
Ask those people
About the macho plan (Macho city)
Macho City
Talking about
Zombie servants
Mystic mud
Silver bullets
Head green ton stud
Black cat bone
The heebee-jeebees
John the Conqueroo's personal voodoo keys
Way over yonder
Over on yonder's wall
Looks like Macho Man's
Headed for a big fall
How can Macho Man
Heal his soul
Will powerful root man
Let him go
The song "Macho City" by Steve Miller Band is a commentary on society's preoccupation with machismo and power. At the beginning of the song, the band welcomes listeners to the entertainment, which is presented by reporters wearing "macho slacks." This line is commenting on how the media often perpetuates a need for aggressive and dominant behavior in men. The song goes on to say that people all around the world are sending a message that is hot and smoking, indicating that power and strength are desirable traits in society. The line "politicians and lawyers all know what it means, they'll be keeping it all legal with political visquine" suggests that those in positions of power are aware of this societal desire for machismo and are using it to their advantage.
The song then shifts its focus to the idea of men taking over history's pages, always wanting to be where it's at, and mentions specific locations such as El Salvador and Afghanistan. These references highlight the destructive and harmful outcomes of unchecked masculinity, which can lead to war and violence. The song also references various supernatural and mystical objects and concepts, such as zombie servants and voodoo keys. These allusions further emphasize the idea that the pursuit of power and dominance can be dangerous and have negative consequences.
Overall, "Macho City" is a commentary on how society glorifies and prioritizes traditional masculinity and how that can lead to negative outcomes. The song warns against the dangers of unchecked masculine behavior and how it can lead to conflict and destruction.
Line by Line Meaning
Welcome to the entertainment
Greetings and salutations to all who have joined us here for our performance
Here now are the facts (Macho City)
We will now present to you the truth about our city of macho, without any exaggeration or fabrications
Presented by reporters
Our sources of information are credible journalists who have provided us with accurate knowledge about our city and its residents
Wearing macho slacks (Macho City)
These journalists are themselves a part of the macho culture, as evident by their clothing, which reflects the style and attitude of our city
All around the world
The phenomenon of macho culture transcends international boundaries and is prevalent globally
The message is hot and smoking (Macho City)
The message about macho city is powerful and impactful, leaving an indelible impression on all who hear it
Would you like to see the future
We will provide you a glimpse of what's to come, related to the growth and impact of macho culture, through our performance
Nobody's joking (Macho City)
We are completely serious and committed to the culture and ideology of macho city, and any doubts about it are unfounded
Velcro people with
Individuals in macho city are always evolving themselves and incorporating new technologies and ideas to stay ahead of the curve
X-Ray sight (Macho City)
They have an ability to see through people and situations with great accuracy, allowing them to make wise determinations
Will be making judgements
Persons with X-Ray sight will evaluate everthing in their environment and reach conclusive solutions
About what's wrong and what's right (Macho City)
They understand the value... and the consequences of all their actions while staying true to their morals
Politicians and lawyers
Elected officials and legal figures are part of the fabric of the city
All know what it means (Macho City)
All the leaders of the city, both political and legal, are fully aware of the power of macho culture and it's inherent meaning
They'll be keeping it all legal
They will avoid illegality in all their dealings while operating within the framework of the law
With political visquine
They will use diplomacy and political nous to ensure that the true meaning of the city is preserved
As time marches
As time advances forward
Through the ages
Throughout the eras of humanity’s existence thus far
Macho men always
Men of great strength and power unite under the banner of macho culture regardless of time and culture
Shooting up history's pages
The macho culture has always been prominent and has always maintained its influence throughout the ages of history
Taking over this (ooh)
Macho men assert their power over areas which they deem important
Taking over that (ooh)
And also grab a snatch of power on issue they are passionate about
Macho men always
Men of power and with the tenacity to lead
Where it's at
The epicenter of macho culture, because it represents leadership and power
El Salvador
Mentioning El Salvador, where war and conflict created an environment of machismo and the subject of war serves as a reflection of a wider aspect of machismo in latino culture
Afghanistan (Macho City)
Fighting and tackling the Taliban head on has become synonymous with machismo and valour in Afghan culture
Ask those people
We invite you to ask the macho men of these places about macho culture and its implications for daily life
About the macho plan (Macho city)
We will reveal to you the strategy of the macho men to maintain their power and position in the world
Talking about
Our discussion shifts to
Zombie servants
People who serve the macho culture, but are more like robots without emotions or intelligence
Mystic mud
The mystical elements that are perceived to hold magical powers in the macho universe
Silver bullets
The weapons of macho men, especially the gun which is valued for its great strength and ability to control
Head green ton stud
The supreme leader of macho culture, who not only holds enormous power but has the charisma to lead and unite followers
Black cat bone
A powerful amulet that brings good luck to macho men, and is a symbol of macho culture
The heebee-jeebees
The sense of euphoria and excitement that comes with being part of the macho culture, akin to a natural high
John the Conqueroo's personal voodoo keys
John the Conqueror root, a popular African-American magical charm or an object that represents control and dominance over others
Way over yonder
In a place far away from this part of the world
Over on yonder's wall
In a distant, uncertain future
Looks like Macho Man's
It appears that the macho men have
Headed for a big fall
A downfall is inevitable for the culture and people of macho city
How can Macho Man
What steps can macho men take to
Heal his soul
Restore the morals and values that have been abandoned in the desire for power
Will powerful root man
Can a powerful and respected leader within macho culture
Let him go
Guide and help the macho men to move away from their obsession with power and control, and instead focus on reaching a balance and being in harmony with nature
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: STEVE MILLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind