Containing elements of death metal, thrash metal, black metal, progressive metal and industrial metal, Strapping Young Lad's music was characterized by the use of complex time signatures, polyrhythmic guitar riffing and drumming, blast beats and Wall of Sound production. The band's musical direction was mainly determined by Townsend, whose battle with bipolar disorder and dark sense of humour were major influences on his songwriting. Townsend was also noted for his eccentric appearance and on-stage behaviour, which greatly contributed to the band's intense live performances.
The band gained critical success and a growing underground fan base from their 1997 album City. After a hiatus between 1999 and 2002, the band released three more albums, reaching their commercial peak with the 2006 effort, The New Black. Townsend disbanded Strapping Young Lad in May 2007, announcing his decision to retreat from public view while continuing to record solo albums.
The legacy continues.....
Goat
Strapping Young Lad Lyrics
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Reflecting what they'll never be
Sing out, pay out another day has come and gone
Get used to the feeling of rotting
Just watch it, goat boy
You watch it, you're a goat
No need to feed old nan and kids
Old buck he pumps it up, to keep his life from getting low
Then back to compo when he's home
Just watch the goat boy
Just watch it, you're a goat
Let me hear the goat boy talk!
Don't judge me, goat boy
You watch it, you're a goat
The lyrics of Strapping Young Lad's "Goat" can be interpreted as a commentary on the stifling effects of societal expectations on individuals. The first two lines suggest that some people are expected to follow a certain path, possibly a religious one ("bind the holy"), which is not in line with who they truly are ("reflecting what they'll never be"). The next lines suggest a sense of disillusionment with the daily grind of work ("another day has come and gone"), which results in a feeling of decay and stagnation ("get used to the feeling of rotting").
The image of a "goat boy" is used throughout the song to illustrate this theme. The goat boy represents someone who is different or "wrong" in the eyes of society, but who nonetheless tries to survive and make a living. The lines about the goat boy losing a limb and having to "pump it up" suggest that he is physically struggling to keep going, but still has to work to support himself ("no need to feed old nan and kids").
The chorus, with its repeated refrain of "you watch it, you're a goat," reinforces the idea that society is quick to judge and label people who don't fit the norm. The line "let me hear the goat boy talk" could be interpreted as a plea for the marginalized to have a voice and be heard, rather than being dismissed as an outsider. Overall, the song is a critique of a system that values conformity over individuality, and demands that people sacrifice their true selves in order to fit in.
Line by Line Meaning
Work expectations bind the holy to the wrong
The pressure of meeting work expectations makes people do things they feel are morally wrong
Reflecting what they'll never be
The work they do is not a true representation of who they want to be
Sing out, pay out another day has come and gone
The monotony of work without any real purpose can be depressing
Get used to the feeling of rotting
The feeling of decay and worthlessness in their lives is something they must accept
Just watch it, goat boy
Addressing someone in a derogatory way, as if they are inferior
You watch it, you're a goat
Telling someone that they are powerless and insignificant, like a goat
Down in the rust steel yard a goat boy loses limb
Someone working in a dangerous environment becomes physically hurt
No need to feed old nan and kids
The worker has lost the ability to provide for their family due to the injury
Old buck he pumps it up, to keep his life from getting low
The injured worker is dependent on medication to continue living
Then back to compo when he's home
The worker returns home to a life of stagnation and mediocrity, while dealing with their injury
Let me hear the goat boy talk!
Mocking someone for their perceived inferiority, and not considering their opinions valid
Don't judge me, goat boy
Challenging the derogatory label being used to demean someone's thoughts or actions
You watch it, you're a goat
Reaffirming the powerless and insignificant nature of the mocked individual, regardless of their protestations
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