The Flaming Lips are known for their lush, multi-layered arrangements, spacey lyrics and bizarre song titles. They are also acclaimed for their elaborate live shows, which typically feature animal suits, puppets, streamers, video projections and complex stage light configurations.
In 2002, Q magazine named The Flaming Lips one of the "50 Bands to See Before You Die". In 2006, Oklahoma City named a street Flaming Lips Alley in their honor.
The group recorded several albums and EPs for Restless Records in the 1980s and early 1990s. After signing to Warner Brothers, they scored a #9 hit on the Billboard Alternative charts (and #55 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart) in 1994 with "She Don't Use Jelly". Although it would be their only hit single, the band has maintained critical respect and, to a lesser extent, commercial viability with sonically majestic albums such as 1995's Clouds Taste Metallic, 1999's The Soft Bulletin, 2002's Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots and 2006's At War with the Mystics. The Flaming Lips' 12th studio album, Embryonic, was released in October of 2009. A complete cover of Pink Floyd's The Dark Side of the Moon was released in May 2010. The Flaming Lips and Heady Fwends, their collaborative album which features artists like Ke$ha, Bon Iver, Nick Cave and Erykah Badu, was released on Record Store Day, April 2012.
Their next studio album, tentatively titled The Terror, will be released in January 2013.
Their song "Do You Realize??" is the official State Rock Song of Oklahoma.
www.flaminglips.com
Shine On Sweet Jesus
The Flaming Lips Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Waitin' for my ride
Jesus is floatin' outside
(Shine on, sweet Jesus, on me)
Watchin' the water rise
I'm gettin' lost in the tide
(Cry all your teardrops on me)
While I'm still myself,
Your blankets covered me
Covered me while I was still asleep
Watchin' the planets shine
Reflecting yourself in the sky
(Shine on, sweet Jesus, on me)
Scraping these smiles of mine
Impossible one at a time
(Cry all your teardrops on me)
While I'm still myself,
Your blankets covered me
Covered me while I was still asleep
Jesus is at my side,
Wondering what he will find
(Shine on, sweet Jesus, on me)
Watchin' the water rise
I'm gettin' lost in the tide
(Cry all your teardrops on me)
While I'm still myself
Your blankets covered me
Covered me while I was still asleep
The lyrics of The Flaming Lips's song Shine On Sweet Jesus are open to interpretation, as with many of their songs. The song seems to be a reflection on religion and the desire for salvation. The singer is waiting for their ride to possibly heaven, and in the meantime, they see Jesus floating outside, shining on them. They are watching the water rise and getting lost in the tide. The imagery of water could symbolize baptism and going through a spiritual cleansing. The singer wants Jesus to shine on them, perhaps giving them a sense of hope or salvation. They also ask Jesus to cry all their teardrops on them, possibly signifying a desire for forgiveness or a release from pain.
The refrain, "While I'm still myself, your blankets covered me, covered me while I was still asleep" seems to suggest the protection and comfort that Jesus provides. It could also signify relying on religion for safety and escape from the troubles of the world. The verse "Watching the planets shine, reflecting yourself in the sky, scraping these smiles of mine, impossible one at a time" could represent the singer's awe and admiration for the beauty and complexity of the world, and the difficulty in finding joy in the face of hardship.
Overall, Shine On Sweet Jesus is a contemplative and introspective song that leaves room for individual interpretation. The use of religious imagery adds a powerful layer to the emotional depth of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Waitin' for my ride
I am waiting for something to happen in my life.
Jesus is floatin' outside
I feel like Jesus is present in my life and watching over me.
(Shine on, sweet Jesus, on me)
I am asking Jesus to bless me with his light and love.
Watchin' the water rise
I am observing a situation getting worse or more intense.
I'm gettin' lost in the tide
I feel overwhelmed and uncertain about my life.
(Cry all your teardrops on me)
I am willing to take on the pain and sorrow of others.
While I'm still myself,
I am reminding myself that I am still the same person I have always been.
Your blankets covered me
I feel protected and comforted by something or someone.
Covered me while I was still asleep
I was unaware of the protection and comfort I was receiving.
Watchin' the planets shine
I am admiring the beauty and wonder of the universe.
Reflecting yourself in the sky
I feel like the universe is a reflection of my inner self.
Scraping these smiles of mine
I am struggling to maintain a happy demeanor.
Impossible one at a time
I feel like every problem I face is insurmountable.
Jesus is at my side,
I feel like Jesus is guiding me through life.
Wondering what he will find
I am unsure of what my future holds.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: MICHAEL IVINS, RICHARD ENGLISH, WAYNE COYNE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
José Augusto dos Santos
"MUITO BOM, É ÓTIMO"
13mrpink
love it :)
jerrycrow66
Just love it!😇
slappdaddy8
I was a PA on this shoot - insane day & Cooooooooold!
Casey Sweten
This is the Flaming Lips I fell in love with as a teen...and then (obviously Mercury Rev).
bhu vidya
Fucking fantastic
Véronique Dupuy
Sublime j adore Véronique 😍😍😍😍😍😘😍😍🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩
sabina grip
🎧🎶🎵🎼🌈🌠💞❤❤❤cool au bass aw 😊😊😊
Pelleybelley
Sounds like our old schoolband
Kevin O'Toole
Michael Ivins getting his royalties in the backdrop of this video