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.
MARS
Television Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Grab some whilst I have the chance to free
Twice upon a time hear yea hear yea hear yea
Plastic bow wow no can't remember, can't remember no!
[Chorus]
In my arms she's warm and smooth
All the bones in heaven will,
That cop, that cop, hey! that cop's from
That cop's from MARS! Aough baby
Ha. Mars. Mars
Fried bones, in the air (? who knows, it might be right)
Fried bones, everywhere
Hot bones, made of light
Someone's pulled my skin on my, on my oh oh oh
[Chorus]
I'm just a dipstick searching for truth
Ding-a-ling-a-ling-a-ling time again time again
Must have some coffee Let's have some caw-fee
I die a coupla times for you
I die a coupla times a night for you, argh
[Chorus: x2]
The song "Mars" by the American rock band Television is a heady mix of surrealist lyrics and distorted guitars, sung with a detached and slightly menacing tone. The opening line, "Guess I need some education", sets the stage for the rest of the song, which is full of dreamlike images and nonsensical phrases. The singer is searching for some sort of meaning, but is also aware that he might not find it. There is a sense of existential dread here, as if the singer is struggling to come to terms with the fact that life might be fundamentally meaningless.
The chorus of "Mars" is especially intriguing, as it seems to hint at some sort of otherworldly experience. The lines "In my arms she's warm and smooth/All the bones in heaven will" suggest a kind of spiritual ecstasy that is hard to pin down. The reference to Mars in the chorus is also intriguing, as it could be interpreted in a number of ways: as a reference to the planet, as a metaphor for an alien or unknown experience, or as a personal symbol of some sort.
The rest of the lyrics continue in this vein, with images of "frid bones" and "hot bones" floating around in a kind of fever dream. The line "Someone's pulled my skin on my, oh oh oh" is particularly vivid, suggesting a sense of disorientation or fragmentation. Overall, "Mars" is a deeply enigmatic song that rewards repeat listens and close attention to its strange and unsettling imagery.
Line by Line Meaning
Guess I need some education
I feel like I lack knowledge and understanding and need to learn more.
Grab some whilst I have the chance to free
I want to take advantage of the opportunity to learn while I have the chance.
Twice upon a time hear yea hear yea hear yea
This line seems to be nonsensical and may be meant to evoke a fairy tale or fantasy vibe.
Plastic bow wow no can't remember, can't remember no!
This line is also nonsensical and may suggest a sense of forgetfulness or confusion.
[Chorus] In my arms she's warm and smooth
The artist is describing the physical sensation of holding someone close to them.
All the bones in heaven will, I'm just a dipstick yes I like that frying but,
This line seems to be nonsensical and may be referring to some unknown heavenly reward or punishment.
That cop, that cop, hey! that cop's from That cop's from MARS! Aough baby Ha. Mars. Mars
The singer is suggesting that a police officer they encountered may not be from Earth, which is unlikely and may be an exaggeration or joke.
Fried bones, in the air (? who knows, it might be right)
This line is nonsensical and may be referring to a strange or surreal image or concept.
Fried bones, everywhere Hot bones, made of light Someone's pulled my skin on my, on my oh oh oh
These lines are also nonsensical and may be evoking a surreal or strange feeling or image.
[Chorus]
Repeating the earlier chorus, the artist is once again describing the physical sensation of holding someone close to them.
I'm just a dipstick searching for truth
The singer is admitting to feeling ignorant and wanting to learn or discover more about the world.
Ding-a-ling-a-ling-a-ling time again time again
This line seems to be nonsense, perhaps meant to evoke a lighthearted or whimsical tone.
Must have some coffee Let's have some caw-fee
The singer wants to take a break or have a drink, and may be using a different pronunciation or dialect for comic effect.
I die a coupla times for you I die a coupla times a night for you, argh
The singer is expressing intense affection or devotion for someone, and may be using hyperbole or dramatic language.
[Chorus: x2]
Repeating yet again, the singer is still describing the physical sensation of holding someone close to them.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: TOM VERLAINE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
tree young
From this track, I understand what's pure talent.
This cannot be imitated. Even impossible for them to reperform it.
T Books
This song, in its entirety, is a masterpiece!!
The vocal delivery of that first line though...is so smooth & so sexy,, I remember running it back like 15x the first time I'd heard it lmao 🤦♂️ I feel like a goofball getting chills from this song.. But I do! Wonderful.
missy
no ones gonna speak on how hot this song is?
Behch Yute
The vocals on this track are on another level.
Timothy J. Horan
A-WHOLE-OTHER-LEVEL! NOW LET'S HAVE SOME COFFEE!!!
AstralSilence
Television might very well be the best band alive. Once you see them live your life changes completely.
TheGucc
the kind of thing i can imagine playing at the roadhouse... twin peaks vibes
Sofia Graci
I just found this song recently and I love it! If anyone has similar music please share :)
Teron Motolinia Hede
check out bmbmbm by black midi
Biggus Dickus
Definitely anything Lou Reed