Best known for his participation in Queens Of The Stone Age, Van Leeuwen is joined by Serrina Sims, Norm Block on drums (Mark Lanegan Band, Plexi) and Eddie Nappi on bass (Mark Lanegan Band, Handsome) in his second ensemble. Named after a Bowie B-side, Sweethead may well be a hit with purveyors of West Coast sultry rock as the band ride the star power of the vampish Sims, who belts out "her seedy glam tunes with a seductive assurance on par with Chrissie Hynde and Kleveland's Stephanie Smith. 'Slashed tires and a cut of vampires left you open to a right-wing malevolence,' she hisses enigmatically amid Van Leeuwen's seesawing chords and a sinisterly insistent Stooges piano lurking just below the waterline of 'The Great Disruptors.' It's that modern rarity - a straight-up hard-rock song that's not ironic or stupid, infused instead with plenty of glittery atmosphere and sexual danger. Sims maintains her cool allure even on faster, punk-style rave-ups like 'We Turned Our Backs,' raising expectations all the higher for the album." - Falling James, LA Weekly.
Produced by Troy, The Great Disruptors EP is like a night out on Hollywood Boulevard with a Jack and Coke in your hand; all rock and roll swagger and a fantastic taster of what's to expect on their forthcoming album, set for a November 2, 2009 release.
SWEETHEAD is Troy Van Leeuwen and Serrina Sims, with Norm Block and Eddie Nappi.
other side
Sweethead Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've got a filthy city to cross
Life in this muddy drain
I just want to sink the albatross
I finally got the news today
Turned out it was yesterday's
as always
I can say that I'm on the brink
There's nothing to stop me, is what I think
There's nothing to keep me from the other side
Keep me from the other side
I'm on the other side
The seconds will strangle the dream
My head's in a heated frost
And I, I just want some steam
to clear the way back to what I lost
I finally got the news today
Turned out it was yesterday's
The telegram it finally came
The message was just the same
as always
I can say that I'm on the brink
And nothing can save me, is what I think
There's nothing to keep me from the other side
Keep me from the other side
I'm on the other side
Leave it here, leave it
Leave it here
Leave it here, leave it
Leave it here
Hello, I feel hollow
Can I still feel good?
I know, I'll be shallow
Act like I should
I can say that I'm on the brink
And nothing can save me, is what I think
There's nothing to keep me from the other side
Keep me from the other side
I'm on the other side
The lyrics to Sweethead's song "Other Side" seem to be about feeling lost and stuck in a difficult situation. The first verse describes being stuck in the pouring rain, with a "filthy city to cross" and a sense of being trapped in a "muddy drain." The singer longs to be free of whatever is weighing them down, symbolized by the "albatross" that they want to sink.
The second verse reveals that the singer has received some sort of news that has left them feeling like they're "on the brink." They feel like they've lost something, and that nothing can save them. The chorus repeats the idea that there's "nothing to keep me from the other side," suggesting that the singer is ready to take some sort of leap of faith, to leave behind whatever is holding them back and move towards something new.
The final verse introduces the idea of feeling hollow and trying to act like everything is okay, even if it's not. The singer is struggling to feel good, but will put on a shallow performance to make it seem like they are. Overall, the song seems to be about the struggle to break free of difficult circumstances and find a new path forward, even if it means leaving behind the familiar and comfortable.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm stuck in pouring down rain
I feel stuck in a difficult situation that seems never-ending
I've got a filthy city to cross
The world around me is tough, harsh, and ugly
Life in this muddy drain
Life can feel like being trapped in a dirty, bleak place
I just want to sink the albatross
I want to get rid of the burdens and obstacles that are weighing me down
I finally got the news today
I have just received some significant information
Turned out it was yesterday's
I am disappointed that it is not new or useful
as always
This is a common occurrence
I can say that I'm on the brink
I am at a critical turning point in my life
There's nothing to stop me, is what I think
I feel confident about reaching my goals and overcoming obstacles
There's nothing to keep me from the other side
There are no barriers preventing me from achieving success
I'm on the other side
I have overcome my struggles and hardships and am now successful
The seconds will strangle the dream
Time is passing too quickly, making it difficult for me to achieve my goals
My head's in a heated frost
I am overwhelmed with conflicting thoughts and emotions
And I, I just want some steam
I desire a release or outlet for my pent-up feelings
to clear the way back to what I lost
I want to find a way to recover and regain what I have lost from the past
The telegram it finally came
An important message that I have been waiting for has arrived
The message was just the same
The news I received was not what I had hoped for
Leave it here, leave it
I want to leave my past behind and move on
Hello, I feel hollow
I feel empty inside
Can I still feel good?
I am unsure if I can feel happy or content again
I know, I'll be shallow
I will pretend to be happy and content to mask how I really feel
Act like I should
I will present a false image and conform to society's expectations
And nothing can save me, is what I think
I feel that nothing can help me or change my situation
Contributed by Caleb R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.