Rooted in the Orange County community of Huntington Beach, California, founding band members Jared Watson and guitarist / vocalist Dustin Bushnell met in 1996 while in high school, embarking on a friendship based on music, as well as their shared passion for surfing, skating and the endless party of the laid-back SoCal lifestyle.
Early on, they spent many late nights jamming in Bushnell’s soundproof garage with a four-track recorder, writing unique acoustic hip-hop songs that featured reggae inflections. Inspired by the rock and reggae sounds of Bob Marley, Sublime, 311 and The Beastie Boys, the band’s music evolved into their distinct Dirty Heads style.
To complete the Dirty Heads’ sound, the duo added percussionist Jon Olazabal and drummer Matt Ochoa, both talented, experienced musicians. With a set of solid material, the Dirty Heads were further motivated to take their craft to the next level, and they began building a loyal fan base throughout the west coast, while performing acoustically at local bars and small music venues. As they started playing in neighboring Los Angeles, the band found it necessary to charter party buses so their fans could make the 30-mile trek to their shows.
Connecting with sought-after producers Steve Fox and Stan Frazier (Sugar Ray / Ashlee Simpson) the band worked long hours to polish their material and further develop their style. The Dirty Heads also recruited mixing engineer Mario Caldato Jr., best known for his work with the Beastie Boys, to add the finishing touches and create just the right blend.
The band’s highly-anticipated first full-length album is entitled, Any Port in the Storm (Released on EMG through Fontana, a division of Universal Music Group Distribution - September 2008). This debut features 14 tracks that are reminiscent of the upbeat, sun-soaked Southern California party energy. The first single is the optimistic, “Stand Tall.”
Any Port in the Storm also features one of the final recordings of the late music industry icon Billy Preston. Frequently referred to as “The Fifth Beatle,” Preston played on three tracks, including “Stand Tall,” “Chelsea,” and “Driftin.’ ” Other special guests on the album are drummer Josh Freese (A Perfect Circle, Sting, The Vandals), and veteran session percussionist Alex Acuna, whose A-list musician resume includes Peter Gabriel, Johnny Clegg, and Jackson Browne, to name only a few.
Recently, the band’s music has been attracting attention throughout the world of entertainment. Their songs have been featured in the movie and soundtrack for Surf’s Up (Sony 2007); and the television drama, Shark staring James Woods (CBS 2007. Actor Matthew McConaughey selected the band’s music to be in his upcoming film, Surfer Dude. In addition, the Dirty Heads can be heard in Tony Hawk’s Downhill Jam video game (Activision 2007), and several other music compilations and surf/skate videos. On the marketing side, the Dirty Heads have also been included in campaigns for Etnies Jeans and Vestal Watches.
Dirty Heads vocalist Jared Watson sums up their fun, uncomplicated style, “We want to be positive and entertain,” he says. “We just want to make you feel good.”
And who can’t dig that?
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Viva La Vida
The Dirty Heads Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Seas would rise when I gave the word
Now in the morning I sleep alone
Sweep the streets I used to own
I used to roll the dice
Feel the fear in my enemy's eyes
Listen as the crowd would sing:
One minute I held the key
Next the walls were closed on me
And I discovered that my castles stand
Upon pillars of salt and pillars of sand
I hear Jerusalem bells a ringing
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can't explain
Once you go there was never
Never an honest word
And that was when I ruled the world
It was the wicked and wild wind
Blew down the doors to let me in.
Shattered windows and the sound of drums
People couldn't believe what I'd become
Revolutionaries wait
For my head on a silver plate
Just a puppet on a lonely string
Oh who would ever want to be king?
I hear Jerusalem bells a ringing
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can't explain
I know Saint Peter won't call my name
Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world
I hear Jerusalem bells a ringing
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can't explain
I know Saint Peter won't call my name
Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world
The Dirty Heads' song "Viva La Vida" is a reflection on the destructive and fleeting nature of power and fame. The opening lines, "I used to rule the world, Seas would rise when I gave the word," paint a picture of a once powerful and influential figure who has now fallen from grace. The line "Now in the morning I sleep alone, Sweep the streets I used to own" illustrates the stark contrast between the character's past and present life.
The song then delves deeper into the character's downfall, with lyrics such as "Next the walls were closed on me, And I discovered that my castles stand, Upon pillars of salt and pillars of sand." This line describes how the character's success was built on shaky, unstable foundations, which eventually led to their collapse.
The recurring refrain of "I hear Jerusalem bells a ringing, Roman Cavalry choirs are singing, Be my mirror, my sword and shield, My missionaries in a foreign field" suggests a longing for a time when the character was surrounded by loyal followers and supporters. However, the line "For some reason I can't explain, I know Saint Peter won't call my name, Never an honest word, But that was when I ruled the world" indicates that the character has come to terms with the fact that their time in the spotlight was based on falsehoods and deception.
Overall, "Viva La Vida" is a haunting reflection on the transience of power and fame, and a cautionary tale about the dangers of building success on false foundations.
Line by Line Meaning
I used to rule the world
I once had power and control over everything
Seas would rise when I gave the word
People would do whatever I asked, no matter how difficult or impossible
Now in the morning I sleep alone
I no longer have anyone close to me who shares my bed or offers me comfort
Sweep the streets I used to own
I am forced to clean up the messes that I used to be in charge of
I used to roll the dice
I was once a risk taker and always acted on impulse
Feel the fear in my enemy's eyes
My opponents were intimidated by my power and influence
Listen as the crowd would sing:
People used to adore me and support me no matter what I did or said
"Now the old king is dead! Long live the king!"
Even though I was once powerful, people move on and find new leaders to support
One minute I held the key
I once had the power to control everything that I wanted
Next the walls were closed on me
Suddenly, I was trapped or imprisoned by my own actions and the people around me
And I discovered that my castles stand
I learned that all of my accomplishments and influence were built on shaky or temporary foundations
Upon pillars of salt and pillars of sand
My power and influence rested on illusions or fleeting realities that could not last forever
I hear Jerusalem bells a ringing
I am reminded of the distant religious and cultural echoes of history
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
I am awed and humbled by the grandeur and power of ancient empires and armies
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
I look to others to reflect my image and protect me from harm
My missionaries in a foreign field
I use other people to spread my influence and promote my interests in unfamiliar areas
For some reason I can't explain
I feel a sense of confusion or uncertainty that I cannot explain
Once you go there was never
People who leave my influence or control will never be the same again
Never an honest word
My power and influence depends on lies, secrets and decieit
And that was when I ruled the world
I know that my power and influence were built on lies, secrets and deceit
It was the wicked and wild wind
My rise and fall from power was sudden, unpredictable and uncontrollable
Blew down the doors to let me in.
I gained entry into a powerful position with no resistance or opposition
Shattered windows and the sound of drums
My rise and fall from power was chaotic and unsettling
People couldn't believe what I'd become
My sudden rise to power was so unexpected that people were shocked
Revolutionaries wait
My enemies or opposition are ready and willing to overthrow me
For my head on a silver plate
My opposition would be willing to kill me for my past actions and misdeeds
Just a puppet on a lonely string
My power and influence were actually controlled by others behind the scenes, and I was unaware of this fact
Oh who would ever want to be king?
I now realize that being a king, having power and influence, comes with great risk and cost
I know Saint Peter won't call my name
I know that I have not lived a life worthy of forgiveness or redemption
But that was when I ruled the world
Even though I know my past has been full of lies and deceit, there is a part of me that still longs for that power and influence
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Christopher A. J. Martin, Guy Rupert Berryman, Jonathan Mark Buckland, William Champion
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@twistedbasser
Actually I think Brad said it best "It's so nice, I wanna hear the same song twice."
@jasonpilla
You nailed it brother.
@SevenCohen
This is by far the best cover of this song on YouTube!!!! I Want to hear more music from the DIRTY HEADS!!!!!!!
@urmomella707
Listen to them they are so good 🥰
@suddenglimpse
Mmaaaaaaaddd!!!! Never would've thought a Coldplay song would make me want to go for a surf.
@dannyrainey738
His voice is soo fresh. I love it
@sterlingarcher74
I was delightedly surprised. Great version
@joshsocket9173
What are you doing now that you're free?
@sterlingarcher74
Been doing a little street racing actually. How bout you bitch?
@twistedbasser
This song is one of the best ever. The lyrics connect on so many levels!!!