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

Mistletoe
The Jesus Lizard Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

You use mistletoe
You use mistletoe
I call poison control

You try to kill me
You try to kill me
I call poison control
You break my arm

You break my arm

You burn my head
You burn my head
I call the police in
I'll kill you now
I'll kill you now
I'll kill you now
I'll kill you now

I call my brother to here
I call my brother to here
You a lying crazy
I call my brother to here
Hey brother

You smother my breath
You cut my breast
I call an ambulance
You take me down
I call your name out

I need you with me
I call your name out
I love you my man
I call your name out

I want you to stay here
I call your name out
I can't leave you
I call you name out
You a pig-eyed comments
I'll give it to you

You a pig-eyed comments
I'll give it to you.

Overall Meaning

The Jesus Lizard's song Mistletoe is a disturbing and intense portrayal of a physically abusive relationship. The lyrics describe a victim who repeatedly tries to escape their abuser but is always pulled back into the cycle of violence. The use of mistletoe in the opening lines suggests a twisted and manipulative attempt at creating an illusion of holiday cheer while concealing the true nature of the abusive relationship. The victim calls poison control, implying that mistletoe may have been toxic or symbolic of the toxic environment perpetuated by the abuser.

The lyrics continue to describe physical violence, with the victim's arm being broken and head burned. The repetition of calling for help, including calling the police and a brother, highlights the desperation and fear that victims of abuse often feel. The lines "I need you with me, I love you my man, I call your name out" are particularly haunting, as they suggest that the victim may be so broken by the abuse that they cannot imagine leaving or finding safety without the abuser. The repeated line "You a pig-eyed comments, I'll give it to you" suggests that the victim is not entirely passive, and may be fighting back against their abuser.

Overall, Mistletoe is a bleak and unsettling portrayal of a violent and abusive relationship. The lyrics are graphic and intense, depicting the physical and emotional toll of abuse on a victim.

Line by Line Meaning

You use mistletoe
You manipulate me with false affection

You use mistletoe
You continue to manipulate me with false affection

I call poison control
I seek outside help to counteract the harmful effects of your manipulation

You try to kill me
Your manipulation endangers my well-being

You try to kill me
Your manipulation persists despite its harm to me

I call poison control
I seek outside help again to counteract further harm from your actions

You break my arm
You physically harm me

You break my arm
You cause me physical pain and injury

You burn my head
You attack me with fire

You burn my head
You cause me severe physical harm and trauma

I call the police in
I involve the authorities to protect myself from your violence

I'll kill you now
I am pushed to consider violent retaliation in response to your ongoing abuse

I'll kill you now
I feel an intense desire to end your abuse by any means necessary

I'll kill you now
I threaten to take violent action against you as a result of your abuse

I call my brother to here
I reach out to a trusted family member for help and support

I call my brother to here
I seek the assistance of a loved one to cope with your abuse

You a lying crazy
You are a manipulative and unstable person

I call my brother to here
I continue to rely on my loved ones to help me through your abuse

Hey brother
I greet my brother and express my gratitude for his support

You smother my breath
You inhibit my ability to breathe freely

You cut my breast
You cause me severe physical harm and trauma

I call an ambulance
I seek immediate medical attention in response to your violent actions

You take me down
You overpower me and cause me to suffer

I call your name out
I reach out to you in desperation

I need you with me
Despite your abuse, I yearn for your companionship

I call your name out
I continue to reach out to you, regardless of your violence

I love you my man
Despite your abuse, I have feelings of love for you

I call your name out
I continue to seek your love and affection, despite the harm you cause

I want you to stay here
I desire your presence and attention

I call your name out
I persist in seeking your companionship

I can't leave you
I feel bound to you emotionally, even though your abuse harms me

I call you name out
I cling to you despite the harm you cause, hoping for a change in behavior

You a pig-eyed comments
You are a cruel and derogatory person

I'll give it to you
I will retaliate against your abuse with force

You a pig-eyed comments
I continue to express my anger towards your abusive behavior

I'll give it to you.
I will take action against you to protect myself from your abuse

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

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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