The band comprised of Guy McKnight, Andy Huxley, Marc Norris, Sym Gharial, and Tom Diamantopoulo, until May 2005, in which Andy Huxley "decided to leave due to a decrease in musical similarities" and was replaced by Rich Fownes.
The band announced in March 2011 that they were to disband but in June 2012, the band announced that they would re-form with original founding members Huxley and Norris and performed at three shows.
On 13 May 2013, the band announced via their Facebook page that they decided to disband. The reason given was that no shared musical common ground was found when recording new material and that the band did not have the strength to carry on. It was also announced that members would now work individually on future projects.
Chicken
The Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well, in your home she,
She sent fire through my bones so I
I threw all my stones at her
I left her in the road, good night
I'll leave her for the crows, hello
Are you friend or foe?
and the universe is turning red
I don't know what it was she said
Something like 'Ed is dead'
Oh No!
You're a wicked woman!
Under my shoes everything will crawl
All the places I tread will crumble and fall
You never take heed to anything at all
Your head's too big but your mind's too small
Sounds running through my head
Well, in your home she
She sent fire through my bones so I
I threw all my stones at her
I left her in the road, good night
I'll leave her for the crows, hello
Are you friend or foe?
Goddamn! Whatever happened to the man?
Nobody listens to his words
Pretending everything that you think you know
Look out man!
It's a long way below!
Under my shoes everything will crawl
All the places I tread will crumble and fall
You never take heed to anything at all
Your head's too big but your minds too small
Hello, hello, I plucked a chicken cold
Hello, hello, I plucked a chicken cold
Hello, hello, do you hear at all?
Hello, hello, hello, hello
Sounds running through my head
Under my shoes everything will crawl
The places I tread will crumble and fall
You never take heed to anything at all
Your head's too big but your minds to small
The Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster's song Chicken is an intriguing mix of seemingly unrelated lyrics that come together to create an intense and vivid picture. The overall theme of the song is unclear, but elements of a failed relationship, internal turmoil, and chaos can be gathered from the lyrics.
The opening lines suggest a passionate, but destructive relationship. The singer claims that the woman in question sent "fire through my bones" and responds by throwing "all my stones at her." The lines "I'll leave her for the crows" and "under my shoes everything will crawl" hint at a violent end to the relationship. The exchange between "hello, hello" and "goddamn" further emphasizes the abruptness and intensity of the situation.
The chaotic imagery of the monkey in the bed and the universe turning red reflect the singer's inner turmoil. The lines "not knowing what she said" and "sounds running through my head" imply confusion and instability. The references to a "man" whose words no one listens to and "everything you think you know" crumbling suggest a lost sense of direction or disillusionment.
Overall, Chicken can be interpreted as a complex reflection of a troubled state of mind, which is articulated through striking and vivid imagery.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, in your home she,
The subject is acknowledging the presence of a woman who resides with another person.
She sent fire through my bones so I
The subject experienced a fiery sensation upon interacting with the woman.
I threw all my stones at her
The subject reacted to the sensation by metaphorically attacking the woman.
I left her in the road, good night
The subject abandoned the woman in the street and ended the relationship.
I'll leave her for the crows, hello
The subject implies that the woman is dead or will soon die.
Are you friend or foe?
The subject is questioning the motives of the person they are addressing.
Hey, there's a monkey in my bed said Ed
The subject is recounting a strange experience involving a monkey and someone named Ed.
And the universe is turning red
The subject is describing a disorienting experience, possibly related to hallucinations.
I don't know what it was she said
The subject is confused about something the woman said to them.
Something like 'Ed is dead'
The subject is recalling a disturbing message from the woman about Ed's death.
Oh No!
The subject is expressing distress or alarm at the situation.
You're a wicked woman!
The subject is blaming the woman for their negative experiences.
Under my shoes everything will crawl
The subject is expressing a sense of unease or disgust about the environment.
All the places I tread will crumble and fall
The subject is describing a sense of destruction they feel they bring with them wherever they go.
You never take heed to anything at all
The subject is criticizing someone who they believe is not listening to them or learning from their mistakes.
Your head's too big but your mind's too small
The subject is insulting the person they are addressing for being arrogant but unintelligent.
Sounds running through my head
The subject is feeling overwhelmed by their thoughts or emotions.
Goddamn! Whatever happened to the man?
The subject is bemoaning the perceived lack of strong or admirable male figures in their life.
Nobody listens to his words
The subject is expressing frustration at feeling unheard or dismissed.
Pretending everything that you think you know
The subject is accusing someone of being fake or insincere in their beliefs or attitudes.
Look out man!
The subject is warning someone to be cautious or aware of their surroundings.
It's a long way below!
The subject is implying that there are negative consequences to not heed their warning.
Hello, hello, I plucked a chicken cold
The subject is describing an action they took.
Hello, hello, do you hear at all?
The subject is addressing the person they are speaking to.
Hello, hello, hello, hello
The subject is repeatedly greeting the person they are talking to.
Contributed by Charlotte J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.