The Cult's debut studio album Dreamtime was released in 1984 to moderate success, with its lead single "Spiritwalker" reaching No. 1 on the UK Indie Chart. Their second studio album, Love (1985), was also successful, charting at No. 4 in the UK and including singles such as "She Sells Sanctuary" and "Rain". The band's third album, Electric (1987), launched them new heights of success, also peaking at No. 4 in the UK and charting highly in other territories, and spawned the hit singles "Love Removal Machine", "Lil' Devil" and "Wild Flower". On that album, The Cult supplemented their post-punk sound with hard rock; the polish on this new sound was facilitated by producer Rick Rubin. After moving to Los Angeles, California, where the band has been based for the remainder of their career, The Cult continued the musical experimentation of Electric with its follow-up album Sonic Temple (1989), which marked their first collaboration with Bob Rock, who would produce several of the band's subsequent albums. Sonic Temple was their most successful album to that point, entering the Top 10 on the UK and US charts, and included one of the band's most popular songs "Fire Woman".
By the time of their fifth album Ceremony (1991), tensions and creative differences began to surface among the band members. This resulted in the recording sessions for Ceremony being held without a stable lineup, leaving Astbury and Duffy as the only two official members left, and featuring support from session musicians on bass and drums. The ongoing tension had carried over within the next four years, during which they released one more studio album, The Cult (1994), and called it quits in 1995. The Cult reformed in 1999 and released their seventh album Beyond Good and Evil two years later. The commercial failure of the album and resurfaced tensions led to the band going back on hiatus in 2002. They resumed activity in 2006, and have since released three more studio albums: Born into This (2007), Choice of Weapon (2012), and Hidden City (2016).
According to music critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine, the band fuse a "hardcore punk revivalist" sound with the "pseudo-mysticism ... of the Doors and Uriah Heep and the guitar-orchestrations of Led Zeppelin and The Cure ... while adding touches of post-punk goth rock". In 1985 Astbury said, "Our music is just melodies and guitars. We're like Big Country and U2, only better!".
On August 15, 2020, Duffy announced on his Twitter that the band were recording a new album with producer Tom Dalgety at Rockfield Studios, where The Cult had recorded their debut album Dreamtime 36 years earlier.
The Cult is also the name of a Las Vegas funk group that recorded one album in 1976, an Australian psych rock band that released one single in 1965, a UK punk band that released one 7" in 1980 and a garage rock band (featuring Allan Springfield of Chelsea Beige) that released two singles in 1965 and 1966.
Zodiac
The Cult Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Maracas to pound
A chequered state
With leather pronounced
Familiar comp and that's authority
I never could say anything right
Take her back and I steal the lead star
Watching people to god they're retired
Some are fire and sipping wine
I want you baby I need you baby I want you little honey
Go go baby shake it any way that you want to
Go go baby shake it any way that you goddamn please
Ghost is coming tired of so peace
They start to like then they bowl at dawn
All tired and our posters connect
Our shadow stands all mixed together
A city moving like a tired dog
Her rabid cousin's sinking on the floor
Down the highway of endless love
Till I hit the sea of ecstasy
I want you baby I need you baby I want you little honey
Go go baby shake it any way that you want to
Go go baby shake it any way that you goddamn please
Go go baby shake it any way that you want to
Go go baby shake it any way that you goddamn please
I want you baby I need you baby I want you little honey
Go go baby shake it any way that you want to
Go go baby shake it any way that you goddamn please
Go go baby shake it any way that you want to
Go go baby shake it any way that you goddamn please
The lyrics to The Cult's song "Zodiac" paint a picture of a wild and wicked night out, full of excitement and excess. The black Cadillac, the maracas pounding, and the leather-clad state all suggest a sense of danger and adventure. The singer's lack of confidence in his own words and authority is juxtaposed with his desire for a woman - he wants her, he needs her, he wants her little honey.
As the night progresses, the scene becomes more chaotic and frenzied. The people around the singer are tired of being calm and cool, and they start to let loose with fire and wine. The singer watches the crowd as they retire, their exhaustion turning into a restless energy. The image of a city moving like a tired dog is both disorienting and exhilarating, as if anything could happen at any moment.
The lyrics suggest a sense of rebellion and escapism, with the singer craving a release from the mundane and the everyday. The repetition of "Go go baby shake it any way that you want to" is both a command and an invitation, encouraging the listener to let go and embrace the feverish energy of the night. Overall, "Zodiac" is a song about cutting loose and giving into your wild side, celebrating the chaos and unpredictability of life.
Line by Line Meaning
A black Cadillac
We're cruising in a fancy car with style.
Maracas to pound
Our music is lively and energetic with percussion instruments driving the beat.
A chequered state
We're in an uncertain place, both physically and emotionally.
With leather pronounced
We're dressed to impress, with bold fashion statements.
Familiar comp and that's authority
Our comfort level with each other and with our craft is what gives us the power to entertain.
I never could say anything right
Despite our confidence and experience, sometimes we stumble and make mistakes.
Take her back and I steal the lead star
I'm claiming the spotlight and taking control, even in romantic relationships.
Watching people to god they're retired
We observe those around us and see that they're tired of the same old routines and societal expectations.
They're too tired of calm and American cool
People are longing for excitement and passion, rather than the typical laid-back American attitude.
Some are fire and sipping wine
There are still some individuals who exude passion and intensity, while also enjoying the finer things in life.
I want you baby I need you baby I want you little honey
The singer is expressing their desire and need for someone they love.
Go go baby shake it any way that you want to
The singer is encouraging their love interest to express themselves freely and confidently.
Ghost is coming tired of so peace
Change is on the horizon, and people are growing restless with the current state of affairs.
They start to like then they bowl at dawn
As people become more energized and driven, they're willing to take risks and pursue their desires, even into the late hours of the night.
All tired and our posters connect
Amidst the chaos and movement of society, we still manage to find moments of solidarity and support among our fellow artists.
Our shadow stands all mixed together
Regardless of our individual backgrounds and personalities, we all come together to create something greater than ourselves.
A city moving like a tired dog
The urban landscape can be overwhelming and exhausting, much like a weary animal trying to keep up with the pace of life.
Her rabid cousin's sinking on the floor
Even as we try to keep up with the crazy pace of life, sometimes we're consumed by our own destructive tendencies and find ourselves falling apart.
Down the highway of endless love
Love is an unpredictable journey with infinite twists and turns.
Till I hit the sea of ecstasy
Ultimately, love can lead to moments of pure joy and happiness that make all the chaos and confusion worth it.
Go go baby shake it any way that you want to
The singer continues to encourage their love interest to be themselves and express themselves freely and confidently.
I want you baby I need you baby I want you little honey
The singer is still expressing their deep desire and need for their love interest.
Contributed by Jeremiah J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
chrissie estrada
As an atheist, I personally believe that you should make videos about whatever you want, religion focused or not. I watch for your personality, so I would still watch your videos if you started making them about your faith! Plus, I find it interesting hearing other people’s point of view on things that I disagree with. Also, I wouldn’t consider it “pushing religion” on your audience unless you were specifically telling them that they HAVE to agree with you, and I’m sure you wouldn’t do that :)
Natalia Taylor
Atheists are some of the most respectful people I have the pleasure of knowing. FR
Emma Clifford
Omg nice pfp🥺🥺♥️
lyvsix
A fellow atheist supporting Natalia's journey with spirituality. And so happy to find a christian that doesnt try to push religion on others. She honestly just wants to share sth that is important to he in HER channel.
Even if we dont see eye to eye I will be here listening. Watching and supporting her
Layla
I would personally love for her to make more Christian/God based videos because of here big platform she can spread the word of Christ and change the way people see Christians
Tiny Alne
Ugh this is so beautiful. You glow when you talk about your faith. I'm a Jesus follower too and know how that feeling when it's just bursting out of you to share your stories with everyone. SHARE IT ALL. Please. I believe in healing and prophecy and am aware of the spiritual warfare and it emboldens me to hear other people's stories. I support you 1000%! Step into your purpose, girl 🔥🔥🔥
Tali W
Same
Mama Lives
I was Christian until I realized they have even the none believer believing they are born to woman as man makes himself woman in the image of Mama then pure of heart call by name whose husband is Dada, not man. "The head is crowning." The crown of life mans claims to be exalting himself above MaMa Nature who grows the fruit. He is the homeless one with this colonization over Mama's body.
Karine Alourde
Wow 🥺🥺🥺 this was so wholesome! Definitely felt everything you said. It’s so scary to just out right speak on your beliefs online, especially for believers. Thank you Natalia ❤️🙏🏼
Flourish In Faith
I AM LITERALLY ABOUT TO CRY WITH HOW HAPPY i AM! I had been following Natalia for a while and then when I got saved I stopped because I didn't like all the astrology stuff, but I felt called to check out Natalia's channel again and this is so amazing! I love that she said she wants to study the CREATOR not the created you know? So awesome. God does miracles. God bless you Karine and have a great day!💕🙏