After a brief run as a recording-only project based in Austin, founding vocalist David Yow, bassist David Wm. Sims and guitarist Duane Denison relocated to Chicago, Illinois in 1989, finding kindred spirits in recording engineer Steve Albini and the Touch and Go Records imprint. With the addition of drummer Mac McNeilly, they began operating as a live band, expanding their following beyond Chicago's alternative scene into an international audience. Drummer Jim Kimball replaced McNeilly late in 1996, and was himself replaced by Brendan Murphy two years later.
Despite releasing a split single with leading alt-rockers Nirvana and signing to Capitol Records, the band failed to find commercial success amid the alternative rock explosion of the 1990s, and disbanded in 1999. Their reunion from 2008 to 2010 and following tour enjoyed positive responses from audiences and critics.
In October 2013, The Jesus Lizard were set to play at the All Tomorrow's Parties event Release the Bats in Melbourne, Australia. They cancelled this show due to "unforeseen circumstances."
Members:
David Yow - vocals;
Duane Denison - guitars;
David Wm. Sims - bass;
Mac McNeilly - drums.
Former members:
Jim Kimball - drums;
Brendan Murphy - drums.
http://www.thejesuslizard.net
A Tale Of Two Women
The Jesus Lizard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She worked a while as a circus acrobat
She changed lovers on a weekly basis
And posed nude for a couple crap artists
Her boy's disintrest in women
Led her to hire him hookers
One of whom he fell in love with
A fat tramp nearly twice his elder
He pryed for his mom on her death's anniversary
Leaving paradise
Living paralyzed
Happily anesthetized
Counting alibis
Learning to despise
Happily anesthesized
This one takes care of her ankles
Her cooking has "that good flavor"
When she purses her lips on purpose
You can see the smell climb of them
She wasn't trying to be judgemental
Though her work makes one think she was
In her world that's a black and white world
Blood is ink and skin is paper
A Swiss army quill can perform miracles
In the hand of one so spiritual
Leaving Paradise
Living paralyzed
Happily anesthesized
Counting alibis
Learning to despise
Struggling against recovery
Leaving Paradise
Living paralyzed
Happily anesthesized
The lyrics of "A Tale of Two Women" by The Jesus Lizard tell the stories of two different women, each facing various struggles and finding their own ways to cope with life's challenges.
The first verse introduces us to a mother who tries to help her son sleep by giving him Cognac, suggesting a dysfunctional relationship. She used to work as a circus acrobat, highlighting her past as someone who lived a daring and unconventional life. She frequently changes lovers and poses nude for artists, implying a complex and erratic lifestyle. Her son's disinterest in women leads her to hire him hookers, but he eventually falls in love with one of them, a fat tramp who is older than him. The lyrics suggest that her influence has had a lasting impact on him, as he prays for his mother on her death anniversary.
The chorus reflects on the emotional state of the main characters. They both seem to be trapped and paralyzed in their own lives, finding temporary solace through anesthesia-like experiences or substances that help them evade their problems. The repeated line "Leaving Paradise" could refer to their search for escape or liberation from their current circumstances.
In the second verse, we are introduced to the second woman. She is described as someone who takes care of her ankles and is known for having good cooking skills. However, despite her efforts to not be judgmental, her work (which is not explicitly mentioned) creates a perception that she is involved in something morally ambiguous. Her world is presented as black and white, where blood represents ink and skin is seen as paper, emphasizing her unconventional perspective. The mention of a Swiss army quill suggests that she possesses a potent tool that can perform miracles, indicating her spiritual nature or unique abilities.
The chorus is repeated once again, emphasizing the women's struggle with their own inner turmoils and the barriers they face on their paths to recovery or finding true happiness. The lyrics suggest that they are caught in a cycle of numbing themselves, counting alibis and becoming disenchanted with life.
Overall, "A Tale of Two Women" portrays the lives of two individuals navigating through complex emotional landscapes, each with their own unique struggles and coping mechanisms. The lyrics offer a glimpse into their worlds, where escape and anesthesia seem to be the only way to temporarily find solace in the face of their troubles.
Line by Line Meaning
She helped her son sleep by giving him Cognac
In order to help her son fall asleep, she resorted to giving him alcohol.
She worked a while as a circus acrobat
For a period of time, she was employed as a performer in a circus, showcasing her acrobatic skills.
She changed lovers on a weekly basis
She frequently switched romantic partners, often finding new love interests every week.
And posed nude for a couple crap artists
She willingly exposed her body to be painted or photographed by untalented artists.
Her boy's disinterest in women
Her son showed a lack of attraction or desire towards women.
Led her to hire him hookers
Due to her son's disinterest in women, she arranged for him to engage with prostitutes.
One of whom he fell in love with
He developed deep romantic feelings for one of the prostitutes.
A fat tramp nearly twice his elder
The chosen prostitute was an overweight and promiscuous woman significantly older than him.
Once a year for the rest of his life
Every year until his death, he faithfully observed the anniversary of his mother's passing.
He pryed for his mom on her death's anniversary
On the anniversary of his mother's death, he fervently prayed for her.
Leaving paradise
Escaping from an ideal or blissful state of existence.
Living paralyzed
Existing in a state of immobility or inability to take action.
Happily anesthetized
Contently numbed or sedated, avoiding any emotional distress or pain.
Counting alibis
Keeping track of excuses or justifications for one's actions or behavior.
Learning to despise
Acquiring a strong feeling of dislike or hatred towards someone or something.
This one takes care of her ankles
Another person in her life provides assistance or care for her ankles.
Her cooking has 'that good flavor'
Her culinary creations possess a delicious and appealing taste.
When she purses her lips on purpose
Intentionally tightening her lips together to make a specific facial expression.
You can see the smell climb off them
It is visually evident and noticeable when the scent emanates from her lips.
She wasn't trying to be judgmental
She did not aim to pass unfair or critical assessments of others.
Though her work makes one think she was
Despite her chosen occupation inducing thoughts of being judgmental.
In her world that's a black and white world
In her perspective or viewpoint, things are perceived with absolute clarity and distinction.
Blood is ink and skin is paper
Blood represents the medium of expression and skin serves as the canvas or surface for it.
A Swiss army quill can perform miracles
A versatile and multifunctional writing instrument has the ability to achieve extraordinary feats.
In the hand of one so spiritual
When wielded by someone deeply connected to their spiritual beliefs or practices.
Struggling against recovery
Engaging in a challenging battle or conflict against the process of healing or getting better.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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