The three original members first played together in 1989, but didn't come together as an established act until 2000. Perhaps to make up for lost time, they proceeded to record their first album, a self-titled effort released on Fresh Sound, after playing only three gigs together. In 2002, after playing a show at the Village Vanguard which was heard by Columbia Records representative Yves Beauvais, the band was signed to Columbia. They released their major label debut, These Are the Vistas, in 2003, and followed it up with Give in 2004 and Suspicious Activity? in 2005. Also in 2005, a live disc - Blunt Object: Live in Tokyo - was released. The band went into the studio again in September 2006 to record Prog, released in May 2007.
The trio's music combines elements of traditional and free jazz with rock and pop influences; These Are the Vistas included a version of Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit", Blondie's "Heart of Glass" and "Flim" by Aphex Twin. Give contains covers of tunes by the Pixies and Black Sabbath, while Suspicious Activity contains a cover of the theme from Chariots of Fire. Prog contains a cover of Rush's "Tom Sawyer".
Iron Man
The Bad Plus Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Yo yo guzzlin forties, let's get it on fella, no doubt)
The wiley Wu-Tang comes back, Iron Man strikes back
(Lou Diamonds, Tony Starks) Raid your whole empire
No doubt!
Rich man, poor man, read the headlines
Nigga getting murdered for spot and bigger dimes
Living by gun law
Jailcats come home and want to take yours
As the young one, growing up broke me and my people
as the self, huh, I guess we all in the same boat
Think it, plus drinkin that 90-proof
Playin' on the roof sayin'
we need a next man to shoot...
[Sometimes I feel, like a motherless child...]
Yo, I know a rich kid, who got hit for three bricks
Showin off his 850 plus, what a nice whip
Young blood guzzlin' fourties hussled in a rain
Old Earth, shootin' dope in her veins
He never had it all, the kid loved basketball
Had a favorite song, \\"I Miss You\\" written by Aaron Hall
Now back to the original, neighborhood, criminals
Clocking dollars, by the hour like his digital
Styrofoam silencers, he rolled around with the
Wildest niggaz peeling caps known as the Islanders
from Staten, where crazy clips be clappin
Slept in his principal spreads, threads, made of satin
Labeled as the cow he had crazy beef
Seen him at the flicks, he pulled out on Duke, Hez and Latief
But he fucked up, he shoulda kept it real and went for kill
cuz if he don't, these niggaz with black barrels will
But, shit will never calm down, one day downtown
He dropped an ounce off
Money had slept like a nightgown
He rolled up in the Albee Square, relax like he lived in there
Two kids was beamin him, them niggaz from the movie theatre
One had all Guess on, lookin like he had a vest on
The other felly pell tucked with a firearm
Movin slow, baseball hats, crazy down low
Word life God, this bull kag nigga gotta go
Oh shit! Bookhead, just bought a 5, G headed King Tudpea
About the size of Little Maurice
We got to get up baby, no cousin, count to ten
I'm runnin in my first instance, is to return em the time is now
Warfare and pull delf
Remember me, the nigga from the UA and you pulled out
Don't move don't even flinch
Fix em up, drop the head, don't want to get blood in the tux
He burped, I shot him, bitch screamed out I'm robbin him
Had to hit him ten more times make sure I got him
Told the owner lay on the floor, shake the comedy
Randy came out wacked out with a half a shotty
I laughed, grab the King Tud head and the cash
Then he shot my man in the ass and broke mega glass
Damn, had to go out with a blast
I shot my way up out of the Albee fast
[Sometimes I feel, like a motherless child]
Oh shit, what the fuck?
This shit is horrible.
The lyrics to The Bad Plus's song Iron Man are actually not the same as the song with the same name by the heavy metal band Black Sabbath. The song is a fusion of hip hop lyrics spoken by Ghostface Killah, with the instrumental jazz arrangement by The Bad Plus. The lyrics describe the harsh realities of life for those living in poor urban areas, with constant violence and crime being a part of their daily lives. The lyrics speak of a young man who was killed for his possessions, of drug wars, gun laws and the constant struggle to survive.
The lyrics highlight the feeling of being alone and unprotected, like a motherless child. This is a metaphor for the fact that many young people in such circumstances grow up without the support of a stable family, and without the protection that a stable family provides. The song also highlights the dangerous mania that can take hold of people living in such circumstances when they feel they have no other options, as is seen when Ghostface's character in the song takes a life in order to protect himself.
Overall, the song highlights the harsh realities of life in poor urban areas, and the difficulties that people face when they are forced to confront these realities. Through its fusion of jazz and hip hop, the song also speaks to the need for creativity and connection in order to survive in such difficult circumstances.
Line by Line Meaning
Sometimes I feel, like a motherless child
The song starts with a traditional African American spiritual, expressing a sense of loneliness and abandonment.
The wiley Wu-Tang comes back, Iron Man strikes back
Referring to Wu-Tang Clan's Tony Starks persona, this line suggests a comeback or resurgence of power and influence.
Rich man, poor man, read the headlines
The song addresses the pervasive issues of violence, poverty, and drug use that affect individuals from all walks of life.
Nigga getting murdered for spot and bigger dimes
The lyrics point out the devastating impact of drug-related violence, where people are killed over small amounts of money.
Jailcats come home and want to take yours
This line highlights the struggles of ex-convicts who return to a society where opportunities are scarce, often leading to criminal activity.
Think it, plus drinkin that 90-proof
The song touches on the problem of alcohol abuse, which often exacerbates the issues faced by disadvantaged communities.
Yo, I know a rich kid, who got hit for three bricks
The lyrics tell a story of violence and tragedy, where even wealthy individuals can fall victim to drug-related violence.
But, shit will never calm down, one day downtown
This line speaks to the cyclical nature of violence and poverty, suggesting that things will never truly improve.
Oh shit, what the fuck?
The song ends on a note of shock and horror, suggesting that the problems described are overwhelming and difficult to confront.
Writer(s): J. Osbourne, W. Ward, T. Butler, F. Iommi Copyright: Essex Music International Inc.
Contributed by Sebastian C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.