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

Fly on the Wall
The Jesus Lizard Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

That damned fly I told you about
is keeping me up again
I'm tired as shit
Everyday at my job
Because his buzzing keeps me from dreaming.

And I can never get any rest
I can never get any rest

I can never get any rest

Sure I'll have another drink with you
Though I'm already drunk as a bottle
It's that fly that's making me drink
So I'll pass out
And sleep through his screaming

And I can never get any rest
I can never get any rest
I will never get any rest

Back in that room
That's not mine anymore
It's possessed by the drone of a monster
Goddamned fly I told you about
The moon shines on his wings
And they're gleaming

And I can never get any rest
I can never get any rest

I can never get any rest
etc...

Overall Meaning

The Jesus Lizard's Fly on the Wall is a song that speaks to insomnia and the frustrations that come along with not being able to rest when you need it the most. The central image in this song is the buzzing fly that is keeping the singer awake. As he tries to sleep, the incessant noise of the fly is a barrier to finding any rest or peace throughout the night. The character is perpetually exhausted due to his job, but it's the sound of the fly that causes him to be awake and fully alert. The singer's desperate need for sleep is a recurring theme throughout the lyrics.

The singer attempts to self-medicate with alcohol, hoping that it will dull his senses and provide him with a temporary relief. The irony here is that the fly is the reason for his drinking. The buzzing of the fly is so grating that he needs to numb his senses so that he can fall asleep, which is a reflection of just how badly he needs to rest. The final verse finds the singer back in his room, which now feels like it is no longer his. The fly's constant noise has taken over the room to the point that it feels as if the insect has taken up a physical presence in the room. The song's repetitive chorus underscores the singer's inability to find any lasting peace, sleep or rest.

Line by Line Meaning

That damned fly I told you about
The persistent insect I mentioned earlier

is keeping me up again
Is preventing me from sleeping once more

I'm tired as shit
I'm very exhausted

Everyday at my job
Each and every day while I'm working

Because his buzzing keeps me from dreaming.
Because the sound of his wings flapping keeps me from entering a state of dream-filled sleep

And I can never get any rest
I am persistently unable to find any respite

I can never get any rest
No matter how I try, I cannot achieve any rest

I can never get any rest
The lack of rest is an unchanging reality for me

Sure I'll have another drink with you
I will certainly have another beverage with you

Though I'm already drunk as a bottle
Even though I'm already more than a little inebriated

It's that fly that's making me drink
The fly's presence is what's driving me to consume more alcohol