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
Good Thing
The Jesus Lizard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The whole world smiles
And it's a joyous occasion, baby
When you take off your shirt
When you take off your stockings
Flower blossoms and bird sings
Commonplace is paradise
It just so happens
I'm talking about the one and only
Good thing
And when your completely naked
All is wondrous and good
No more hunger or fighting
When we do the good thing
The Jesus Lizard's song Good Thing has lyrics that seem to be about the incredible transformative power of a woman's (or someone's) body, particularly when it is unclothed. The lyrics repeatedly use phrases that suggest how the world around the singer is fundamentally changed for the better when the woman takes off individual items of clothing - when the dress comes off, the entire world smiles; when the shirt comes off, it's a joyous occasion; when the stockings come off, flowers blossom and birds sing.
The phrase "commonplace is paradise" implies that the singer sees a kind of divine beauty in this transformation - the mundane details of everyday life fade away to reveal a kind of heavenly realm that was there all along. This same idea is present when the singer claims that "No more hunger or fighting." It's as though the sight of the woman's body in its natural state has purged the world of all its ugliness and suffering.
The title "Good Thing" is repeated several times throughout the song, and it's not immediately clear what it is referring to - it could be the woman's body, the act of undressing, or possibly something else entirely. Ultimately, the song seems to be an ode to the power of physical intimacy to bring about a kind of salvation, at least temporarily, from the world's troubles.
Line by Line Meaning
When you take off your dress
Removing your clothing brings happiness.
The whole world smiles
Everyone around you is filled with joy.
And it's a joyous occasion, baby
It's a cause for celebration.
When you take off your shirt
The act of undressing is significant.
When you take off your stockings
Even nature responds to your undressing.
Flower blossoms and bird sings
The very environment is transformed by your nudity.
Commonplace is paradise
Everyday life becomes a thing of beauty.
When you take off your panties
Removing undergarments adds to the allure.
It just so happens
Coincidentally,
I'm talking about the one and only
I'm speaking specifically of this scenario.
Good thing
This is a positive experience.
And when your completely naked
When you are fully unclothed,
All is wondrous and good
Life is beautiful in this moment.
No more hunger or fighting
All negativity is eliminated.
When we do the good thing
This act brings about harmonious feelings.
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: ROBBEN FORD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind