The Dead Pets have released two albums on their own label Village Idiot records; 'Too Little Too Late' (2001) and 'Revenge of The Village Idiots' (2003). Both albums have been re-issued.
Mother's Ruin
The Dead Pets Lyrics
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Victorian days, industrial age,
Cities were born, slums were made,
Well today it remains the same,
Cities got bigger and we got cocaine.
Your burning and you're afraid,
You're working like a slave,
And society's never felt so good,
You need something a little stronger,
That′ll make the day seem less longer
In The Dead Pets's song "Mother's Ruin," the lyrics talk about the transition from gin to cocaine and heroin, while reflecting on the current state of society. The opening lines reference the origins of the "Mother's Ruin" nickname for gin, which came from the belief that mothers drinking gin led to neglect of their children. The song then suggests that today, society's problems have only gotten worse, with people turning to harder drugs, perhaps as a means to cope with their struggles.
The lyrics describe a bleak picture of modern life, where people are overworked and feeling burnt out, and society is thriving on their suffering. The line "You need something a little stronger, That'll make the day seem less longer" suggests that people turn to drugs as a temporary escape, possibly to deal with the stress and monotony of everyday life. Overall, the song seems to be condemning the state of society and the way it drives people to destructive behavior.
Line by Line Meaning
It was gin, but now it's cocaine and heroin,
Back in Victorian times, gin was the drink of choice, but as cities grew and evolved, cocaine and heroin became more prevalent.
Victorian days, industrial age,
The period known as the Victorian era coincided with the rise of the industrial age, which brought about many changes to society.
Cities were born, slums were made,
As cities grew larger, slums and impoverished areas emerged within them.
Well today it remains the same,
Even in modern times, cities continue to struggle with poverty and inequality.
Cities got bigger and we got cocaine.
As cities expanded, the use of cocaine became more widespread.
Your burning and you're afraid,
Life can be overwhelming and scary at times.
And society's never felt so good,
Despite the challenges of life, society continues to progress and improve in many ways.
You're working like a slave,
The demands of modern life can make people feel like they are working tirelessly without any reprieve.
And society's never felt so good,
While life can be tough, society as a whole is still moving forward and making positive strides.
You need something a little stronger,
Sometimes people turn to drugs to help them cope with the stresses of everyday life.
That'll make the day seem less longer
Drugs can provide a temporary escape from the struggles of life, making the days seem less monotonous and burdensome.
Writer(s): Christopher Mark Sweeney
Contributed by Sadie M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.