The Jesus Lizard is an American alternative rock band formed in 1987 in Aus… Read Full Bio ↴The Jesus Lizard is an American alternative rock band formed in 1987 in Austin, Texas, United States. They are "a leading noise rock band in the American independent underground…(who) turned out a series of independent records filled with scathing, disembowelling, guitar-driven pseudo-industrial noise, all of which received positive reviews in underground music publications and heavy college-radio play."

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

Cold Water
The Jesus Lizard Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Three people I don't know, their stairwell, my wheelcahir, their needle, the basement, 6 inches of cold water
I begged them, I pleaded, don't do this, I'm not dreamin'
No nightmare, nobody can hear me, my wheelchair, this basement is flooding, 12 inches of cold water
I begged them, I pleaded, don't do this, I'm not dreamin'
It's cool to get the feelin' that you have gone through it without assistance
Just leave one hand against the wall and you can lead yourself out of the labyrinth
6 inches of cold water
Three people I don't know, their stairwell, my wheelcahir, their needle, the basement, 6 inches of cold water

I begged them, I pleaded, don't do this, I'm not dreamin'
No nightmare, nobody can hear me, my wheelchair, this basement is flooding, 12 inches of cold water
I begged them, I pleaded, don't do this, I'm not dreamin'
It's cool to get the feelin' that you have gone through it without assistance
Just leave one hand against the wall and you can lead yourself out of the labyrinth
I've done this twice and I was amazed at the ease of delivery

And if you lose contact you'll be stuck and I doubt you'll be leaving
6 inches of cold water, 6 inches of cold water, 6 inches of cold water, 6 inches of cold water

Overall Meaning

The Jesus Lizard's "Cold Water" is a harrowing and disturbing track that explores themes of vulnerability, helplessness, and desperation. Through its vivid and evocative lyrics, the song depicts a terrifying scenario in which the singer finds himself trapped in a basement with six inches of cold water, unable to move due to being confined to a wheelchair. Three unknown individuals surround him, one of whom is holding a needle, which only adds to the sense of unease and danger.

Despite the overwhelming sense of despair and hopelessness that permeates the song, there is also a glimmer of defiance and survival. The singer speaks of the need to keep one hand against the wall in order to lead himself out of the labyrinth, and of the cool feeling that comes from having gone through such an ordeal without any assistance.

Line by Line Meaning

Three people I don't know, their stairwell, my wheelchair, their needle, the basement, 6 inches of cold water
Narrator is stuck in a basement that has flooded with cold water. He is with three strangers who have a needle and he is in a wheelchair.

I begged them, I pleaded, don't do this, I'm not dreamin'
Narrator is afraid and pleading with the strangers not to harm him.

No nightmare, nobody can hear me, my wheelchair, this basement is flooding, 12 inches of cold water
Narrator is trapped in a nightmare-like situation, with no one able to hear him. The water has risen to 12 inches deep.

It's cool to get the feelin' that you have gone through it without assistance
It is a good feeling to have struggled and succeeded without any help.

Just leave one hand against the wall and you can lead yourself out of the labyrinth
By placing one hand on the wall, one can navigate their way out of a difficult situation.

6 inches of cold water
Narrator repeats the depth of the flood water.

I've done this twice and I was amazed at the ease of delivery
Narrator has been in this situation before and is surprised at how easy it is to navigate out of it.

And if you lose contact you'll be stuck and I doubt you'll be leaving
If one loses touch with the wall, they will likely remain stuck in the labyrinth.

Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: DAVID L YOW, DAVID WILLIAM SIMS, DUANE DENISON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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