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
Soft Damage
The Jesus Lizard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like a fish she squirmed around
She had to tell herself to try to settle down
But as the crowd poured in
She was overwhelmed by them
She asked herself which one of these will win
Scrutinizing body shapes studying every face
Eeenie, meenie, Larry, Moe, and Curly
"I now know how I'll get there
I'll get there laying down
I can get there laying down
I'm gonna get there laying down
I gotta get there laying down"
After talking to a few
Several hours melted by
She was ready to just give up and be through
She set down her empty glass
Grabbed her purse and and straightened her dress
Stumbling, she plowed out of that place
On the corner right outside
A man who's drunk, a smile that's wide
She hooked his arm and towed him from the light
In the morning he was gone and like the dress that she had worn
She was still cut and laying down
The lyrics of The Jesus Lizard's song Soft Damage depict the story of a woman who tries to find her way to a heavenly place. The woman displays eagerness towards achieving her goal but is also afraid, and she finds herself squirming like a fish, finding it hard to settle down. The woman examines the crowd, scrutinizes their body shapes, and studies every face, trying to choose the right person to help her reach her heavenly goal. She talks to a few people and several hours pass by, but she is ready to give up and is through with the process.
As the song progresses, the woman gets up, sets down her empty glass, grabs her purse, and straightens her dress. She stumbles out of the place and finds herself on the corner right outside, where she encounters a man who is drunk with a smile that’s wide. She hooks his arm and tows him from the light to an undetermined location. In the morning, the man is gone, and the woman, like the dress she had worn the night before, is still cut and laying down. Overall, the song speaks about the struggles a person goes through while trying to navigate life; it reveals how difficult it can be to find one's way to a better place, and how we can end up getting hurt along the way.
Line by Line Meaning
She was eager but a bit afraid
She felt both curious and nervous about something at the same time.
Like a fish she squirmed around
She was fidgeting or had difficulty staying still, like a fish out of water.
She had to tell herself to try to settle down
She needed to calm down and relax.
But as the crowd poured in
As more and more people arrived.
She was overwhelmed by them
She felt like she couldn't handle the situation or the people around her.
She asked herself which one of these will win
She wondered which person or thing would succeed or come out on top.
Scrutinizing body shapes studying every face
She was analyzing the physical features and expressions of those around her.
Eeenie, meenie, Larry, Moe, and Curly
She was trying to decide among a variety of options, like the children's game of Eeenie, Meenie, Miney, Mo.
She wants to get to heaven laying down
She desires to reach her goal effortlessly or without much effort.
"I now know how I'll get there
I'll get there laying down
I can get there laying down
I'm gonna get there laying down
I gotta get there laying down"
She believes the best way to achieve her goal is through passive or easy means, and she is determined to do so.
After talking to a few
Several hours melted by
She was ready to just give up and be through
After spending a long time with a few people, she was ready to give up or quit.
She set down her empty glass
Grabbed her purse and and straightened her dress
Stumbling, she plowed out of that place
She finished her drink, adjusted her appearance, and quickly left the location, possibly stumbling or falling in the process.
On the corner right outside
A man who's drunk, a smile that's wide
She hooked his arm and towed him from the light
Outside, there was an intoxicated man with a grin, and she took hold of his arm and led him away from the bright area.
In the morning he was gone and like the dress that she had worn
She was still cut and laying down
The next day, the man was gone, but she was still injured or hurt and depressed, similar to her dress lying on the floor.
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: DAVID L YOW, DAVID WILLIAM SIMS, DUANE DENISON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind