Spit Shine Your Black Clouds
The Blood Brothers Lyrics
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John Lennon and the Rolling Stones crooning in plastic bags
Spit shine your black luck now, baby
You turn on the radio, the speakers spit tangled talk
Everything is war and who's fucked their way to the top
But they'll eat black clouds, we all eat black clouds
You're working on a cruise serving caviar to the cruel
They repossessed your heart, you're making payments on your face, too
And what if your religion turns out to be a cruel joke, and you're fucked beyond all hope?
Gonna spit shine your black clouds now, baby
First you stayed in bed all day and walked around all night
Then you threw your phone away and slept beneath the freeway underpass
Your mother slit her throat after your father's heart attack
And you've got two little sisters still in school
What'cha gonna do? What'cha gonna do?
Just sit and watch the ships loading their freight
And pale pelicans feeding their young and grasp at the barbarically charming sun
Out on the weekend talked your way out of a first date
Said your uncle was famous, by then it was too late
Spit shine your black luck now, baby
Fall asleep to the TV, the cops are talking tough
To the cameras in the backseat, to the audience at home
But they'll eat black clouds, we all eat black clouds
Once you knew a girl with skin like a sapphire sun
Took you back to her apartment, told you everything you did wrong
Spit shine your black luck
Spit shine your black luck
The sky's so desolate like flesh on a skull-shaped balloon
You sit in bed writing love letters to yourself
No black ink on the black paper, bay
Stare at the ceiling, fall into dreamless sleep
Day climbs your chimney, taps you on the shoulder blade
Spit shine your black clouds now, baby
All your best friends grow up to be successful actresses
All your bitter enemies died of liver failure in Kent, Washington trailers
All your brothers made babies until their brains turned brown
The world's lounging longways on an unbridled black cloud
The Blood Brothers’ song “Spit Shine Your Black Clouds” is a reflection on how life can be cruel and full of pain, and how people must find a way to cope with and rise above these challenges. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a person who is struggling to find their place in the world and has experienced a lot of hardships, including the loss of loved ones and the pressure to conform to society’s standards. The song starts by describing the environment as the person is walking through the forest, where broken glass litters the ground, and music from John Lennon and the Rolling Stones blasts from plastic bags. These lyrics suggest that the person is living in a world that is broken and corrupt, where hope is scarce.
The chorus of the song, “Spit shine your black luck now, baby,” acts as a call to action, urging the person to persevere through the difficulties they are facing. The lyrics describe how the person must shine a light on the black clouds that have been cast over their life and find a way to push through the darkness. The song then goes on to detail some of the specific challenges the person faces, including working in a job that makes them feel like they are betraying their own values, dealing with the pain of family trauma, and struggling with the question of faith in the face of tragedy. Despite these challenges, the song ultimately ends on a note of resilience, urging the listener to keep moving forward even when life is at its darkest.
Overall, “Spit Shine Your Black Clouds” is a deeply introspective song that speaks to the all-too-human experience of struggling with pain and loss. It is a call to action for those who feel lost and directionless, urging them to hold on to hope and to keep fighting for a better life for themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
You're walking through the forests where they feed the trees broken glass
You're in a place where everything is broken and dangerous.
John Lennon and the Rolling Stones crooning in plastic bags
Even the things you love are trapped and suffocating.
Spit shine your black luck now, baby
Try to make the most of your bad situation.
You turn on the radio, the speakers spit tangled talk
Media is confusing and overwhelming.
Everything is war and who's fucked their way to the top
The world is a battleground where only the ruthless can succeed.
But they'll eat black clouds, we all eat black clouds
Everyone suffers and struggles in their own way.
You're working on a cruise serving caviar to the cruel
You're in a position where you have to cater to terrible people.
They repossessed your heart, you're making payments on your face, too
You've lost everything and are now trying to rebuild yourself even though it's difficult.
And what if your religion turns out to be a cruel joke, and you're fucked beyond all hope?
What happens when the things you believed in turn out to be false and you lose all hope?
Gonna spit shine your black clouds now, baby
Still, you have to keep trying to improve your life.
First you stayed in bed all day and walked around all night
Depression and insomnia are taking over your life.
Then you threw your phone away and slept beneath the freeway underpass
You're becoming disconnected from the world around you and isolating yourself.
Your mother slit her throat after your father's heart attack
Tragedy has struck your family and you're left to deal with the aftermath.
And you've got two little sisters still in school
You have responsibilities to take care of despite your own struggles.
What'cha gonna do? What'cha gonna do?
You have to figure out how to move forward despite everything.
Just sit and watch the ships loading their freight
Sometimes watching life go by is the only thing to do.
And pale pelicans feeding their young and grasp at the barbarically charming sun
Even in the beauty and simplicity of nature, there is a harshness and cruelty.
Out on the weekend talked your way out of a first date
You're pushing people away and avoiding any kind of connection.
Said your uncle was famous, by then it was too late
You're lying and making excuses to cover up how messed up your life is.
Fall asleep to the TV, the cops are talking tough
Even when you try to escape, the world is still violent and dangerous.
To the cameras in the backseat, to the audience at home
Even the people meant to protect us are putting on a show for others.
Once you knew a girl with skin like a sapphire sun
You once had something beautiful in your life, but it's gone now.
Took you back to her apartment, told you everything you did wrong
Even when someone loves you, they can still hurt you and make you feel like a failure.
The sky's so desolate like flesh on a skull-shaped balloon
Even the sky is oppressive and empty.
You sit in bed writing love letters to yourself
You're trying to find love and compassion within yourself since you can't find it elsewhere.
No black ink on the black paper, bay
You're struggling to express yourself and communicate how you feel.
Stare at the ceiling, fall into dreamless sleep
Eventually, exhaustion will take over and you'll be able to rest.
Day climbs your chimney, taps you on the shoulder blade
The world keeps moving forward and you have to keep up despite your struggles.
All your best friends grow up to be successful actresses
Even the people you once knew and loved will change and move on without you.
All your bitter enemies died of liver failure in Kent, Washington trailers
Karma will catch up to people, but it doesn't make you feel any better.
All your brothers made babies until their brains turned brown
Even the people closest to you will choose a path that you don't understand or agree with.
The world's lounging longways on an unbridled black cloud
The world is suffering and will continue to suffer without any clear solution.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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