In the early '70s, Television began as the Neon Boys, a group featuring guitarist/vocalist Tom Verlaine, drummer Billy Ficca, and bassist Richard Hell. At the end of 1973 in New York City, New York, the group reunited under the name Television, adding rhythm guitarist Richard Lloyd. The following year, the band made its live debut at New York's Townhouse theater and began to build up an underground following. Soon, their fan base was large enough that Verlaine was able to persuade CBGB to begin featuring live bands on a regular basis; the club would become an important venue for punk and new wave bands. Television was the first punk/new wave bands to play at CBGB. That year, Verlaine played guitar on Patti Smith's first single, "Hey Joe"/"Piss Factory," as well as wrote a book of poetry with the singer.
Television recorded a demo tape for Island Records with Brian Eno in 1975, yet the label decided not to sign the band. Hell left the band after the recording of the demo tape, forming the Heartbreakers with former New York Dolls guitarist Johnny Thunders; the following year, he began a solo career supported by the Voidoids, releasing a debut album, Blank Generation, in 1977. Hell was replaced by ex-Blondie bassist Fred Smith and Television recorded "Little Johnny Jewel," releasing it on their own Ork record label. "Little Johnny Jewel" became an underground hit, attracting the attention of major record labels. In 1976, the band released a British EP on Stiff Records, which expanded their reputation. They signed with Elektra Records and began recording their debut album.
Marquee Moon, the group's first album, was released in early 1977 to great critical acclaim, yet it failed to attract a wide audience in America; in the U.K., it reached number 28 on the charts, launching the Top 40 single "Prove It." Television supported Blondie on the group's 1977 tour, but the shows didn't increase the group's following significantly.
Television released their second album, Adventure, in the spring of 1978. While its American sales were better than those of Marquee Moon, the record didn't make the charts; in Britain, it became a Top Ten hit. Months later, the group suddenly broke up, largely due to tensions between the two guitarists. Smith rejoined Blondie, while Verlaine and Lloyd both pursued solo careers; Lloyd also played on John Doe's first solo album, as well as joined Matthew Sweet's supporting band with the 1991 album Girlfriend.
Nearly 14 years after their breakup, Television re-formed in late 1991, recording a new, self titled album for Capitol Records. The reunited band began its comeback with a performance at England's Glastonbury summer festival in 1992, releasing Television a couple months later. The album received good reviews, as did the tour that followed, yet the reunion was short-lived — the group disbanded again in early 1993. In 2001, Television again reunited for a handful of shows in the U.K., as well as an appearance at the Noise Pop Festival in Chicago.
Friction
Television Lyrics
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All the action just would not let up
It's just a little bit back from the main road
Where the silence spreads and the men dig holes
I start to spin the tale
You complain of my diction
You give me friction (friction)
You give me friction (friction)
My eyes are like telescopes
I see it all backwards, but who wants hope?
If I ever catch that ventriloquist
I'll squeeze his head right into my fist
Something come a-trackin' in
What is it? What's the prediction?
I'll bet you it's friction (friction)
I'll bet you it's friction (friction)
I'll bet you it's friction (friction)
How does a snake get out its skin?
Here's a depiction
Oh, stop this head motion, set the sails
You know all us boys gonna wind up in jail
Well, I don't wanna grow up
There's too much contradiction
And too much friction (friction)
But I dig friction (friction)
We're both crazy 'bout friction (friction)
F-R-I-C-T-I-O-N
(Friction)
(Friction)
(Friction)
The song Friction by Television seems to be about a character who is experiencing some kind of turmoil in their life. The lyrics suggest that this character is caught up in a set-up or some kind of scheme, and they are struggling to find their way out of it. The setting of the song is "just a little bit back from the main road," which could imply that the character is off the beaten path or removed from the mainstream of society.
As the character spins their tale, someone complains about their diction, suggesting that they may not be communicating their thoughts and feelings clearly. The repeated refrain of "You give me friction" implies that there is conflict and tension in the situation, perhaps between the character and the person they are talking to or between different parts of their own psyche.
The character's eyes are described as telescopes, which suggests that they are seeing things from a great distance or with great clarity, but they are also "backwards." This could imply that the character is seeing things in a different way than most people do, or that they are struggling to make sense of what they are seeing. They express a desire to catch a ventriloquist and "squeeze his head right into my fist," which could be a metaphor for trying to control someone or something that is manipulating them.
The song also includes references to snakes and skin, which could be interpreted as metaphors for shedding old identities or trying to escape one's past. The lyrics suggest that the character is struggling to find their way in a world full of contradictions and friction, but they are also drawn to the conflict and tension. The final refrain of "F-R-I-C-T-I-O-N" emphasizes the power of this word and the hold it has on the character.
Line by Line Meaning
I knew it musta been some big set-up
I suspected that something was planned or arranged in advance.
All the action just would not let up
The events or activities that occurred were unrelenting.
It's just a little bit back from the main road
It is located some distance away from the main path or thoroughfare.
Where the silence spreads and the men dig holes
It is a place of stillness where people are digging pits.
I start to spin the tale
I begin to tell a story.
You complain of my diction
You express unhappiness with my pronunciation or word choice.
You give me friction (friction)
You give me friction (friction)
You give me friction (friction)
You cause me to experience difficulty and tension.
My eyes are like telescopes
My eyesight is sharp and penetrating.
I see it all backwards, but who wants hope?
I understand everything in reverse, but there's no point in optimism.
If I ever catch that ventriloquist
I'll squeeze his head right into my fist
If I ever find the person manipulating a puppet, I will grasp their head forcefully.
Something come a-trackin in
What is it, what's the prediction?
Something is approaching; what is it, and what happens next?
I'll betcha it's friction (friction)
I'll betcha it's friction (friction)
I'll betcha it's friction (friction)
I'm confident it'll cause difficulty and tension.
Hide the snake, get out the skin
Conceal the danger, and reveal one's true self.
Oh, stop this head motion, set the sails
You know all us boys gonna wind up in jail
Stop bobbing one's head, and be prepared to be imprisoned like all of us.
Well, I don't wanna grow up
There's too much contradiction
I don't want to mature because there is too much inconsistency.
And too much friction (friction)
But I dig friction (friction)
We're both crazy 'bout friction (friction)
F-R-I-C-T-I-O-N
(Friction)
(Friction)
(Friction)
There is too much discomfort and conflict, but I enjoy friction nonetheless, and we are both fond of it.
Lyrics © Rocking Gorillas Music Ltda
Written by: Tom Verlaine
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind