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
The Captain
The Flaming Lips Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But this one here won't make it to the lab
He's too weak to speak, I apologize
For not being quicker to decide
But I'm not looking for excuses
And I don't want to be a nuisance
If you would make just one exception
The captain's being cold
Instead of being bold about it
The captain's being cold
Instead of being bold about it
The captain's being
Cold
Instead of being bold about it
The captain's being
Cold
Instead of being bold about it
The captain's being
Cold
Instead of being bold about it
The captain's being
Cold
Instead of being bold about it
The captain's being
Cold
The Flaming Lips's song "The Captain" seems to be a commentary on leadership and the pressures of decision-making. The opening lines, "Yes sir, I know things are really bad/But this one here won't make it to the lab/He's too weak to speak, I apologize/For not being quicker to decide," suggest a life-or-death scenario in which a patient is dying and the singer is apologizing for not acting faster. However, as the verse continues, it becomes clear that the singer is not a doctor, but rather an underling seeking an exception from authority: "But I'm not looking for excuses/And I don't want to be a nuisance/If you would make just one exception."
This context sets the stage for the repetition of the chorus, "Instead of being bold about it/The captain's being cold." The idea of boldness suggests a willingness to take risks and make tough choices, even if they're unpopular or difficult. The captain, on the other hand, is being cold--perhaps unemotional, unfeeling, or unwilling to act. This could be interpreted as a criticism of leadership in general, or a specific commentary on a particular leader who is failing in their responsibilities.
Overall, "The Captain" is a complex and thought-provoking song that invites multiple interpretations. It's a meditation on leadership, decision-making, and the pressures of responsibility, and it raises questions about how we make choices in difficult situations. At the same time, it's a catchy, memorable tune that showcases the Flaming Lips's unique brand of psychedelic pop-rock.
Line by Line Meaning
Yes sir, I know things are really bad
I acknowledge that the situation is currently unfavorable
But this one here won't make it to the lab
This particular subject cannot be saved or cured
He's too weak to speak, I apologize
The subject cannot communicate and I am sorry about that
For not being quicker to decide
I regret not being able to make a decision sooner
But I'm not looking for excuses
I am not trying to justify my actions
And I don't want to be a nuisance
I do not want to cause any trouble or be a bother
If you would make just one exception
If you could make a concession for this one case
Instead of being bold about it
Rather than being brave or assertive
The captain's being cold
The leader is being unsympathetic or unfeeling
Instead of being bold about it
Rather than being courageous or daring
The captain's being cold
The leader is being heartless or indifferent
Instead of being bold about it
Rather than being audacious or fearless
The captain's being cold
The leader is being unemotional or unresponsive
Instead of being bold about it
Rather than being confident or decisive
The captain's being cold
The leader is being distant or detached
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jammonstrald
Saw them perform this in Boise last week and it was one of the most inspiring, positive, and cathartic experiences I've ever had. Thank you Wayne, Stephen, Michael and the rest of the group for bringing such wonderful sounds into this world.
Crushi: Artist, Producer & Musician
Beautiful! Always Beautiful! Just go with it. It's not weird. It's genuine.
Johnny Rock
Wayne's microphone is not plugged in hahah LOVE IT!!!
Log Dog
whoa. Ive been waiting for a song like a superman. This is tasty. Now i remember who my favorite band ever is. Nice to hear a classic flaming lips arrangement. Rock one in the 39th dimension.1liove
o0OJeenYusO0o
Definitely the best song they played last night in their Ogden UT show!!
PDF
as powerful and influential as early velvet underground, cant think of higher praise in my book. thank you for this.
deerhooffan413
i cant believe they brought back the flaming cymbal & one of my favorite songs this rules
Hartlor Tayley
codgerburley1 buttholes did it at the Channel in Boston, after The Zulus played a set that was impossible to follow. 1985- 87 ish.
codgerburley1
An idea stolen from The Butthole Surfers
Charles Lumia
Omg finally! This song has been in my head since watching 'Fearless Freaks' and now it's here