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
Uncommonly Good
The Jesus Lizard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Those friends of mine were always glad to help me through,
Can you tell me where it hurts the most
Right here
Their house was grimy and filthy and dirty, but their hearts were flowing pure and clean
Or so I thought, I'd always believe them, at least that's how it seemed to be
I guess I thought that way mistakenly, oh
They did things to that goat, they did things no one should do
Those friends of mine were always glad to help me through,
Can you tell me where it hurts the most
Right here
Or so I thought, I'd always believe them, at least that's how it seemed to be
I guess I thought that way mistakenly
The Jesus Lizard's song Uncommonly Good is a haunting and mysterious tale of a person who has moved far away from their past and is slowly piecing together the truth about their former friends. The opening lyrics, "I situated myself here about a thousand miles ago, so I'll figure it out in a slow and jagged way," reveal that the singer has physically removed themselves from their previous life, but mentally they are still grappling with the memories and emotions of their past.
The subsequent lines, "Those friends of mine were always glad to help me through, Can you tell me where it hurts the most, Right here," paint a picture of a person who relied heavily on their friends but is now questioning their motives and actions. The lyrics "Their house was grimy and filthy and dirty, but their hearts were flowing pure and clean" imply a sharp contrast between the outward appearance of the friends' home and the supposed goodness within their hearts.
The final lines, "They did things to that goat, they did things no one should do, I guess I thought that way mistakenly," add a disturbing layer to the song's mystery, leaving listeners to question the true nature of the singer's former friends and what might have happened that caused them to distance themselves from their past.
Line by Line Meaning
I situated myself here about a thousand miles ago, so I'll figure it out in a slow and jagged way
I moved far away from where I used to be, so I'll have to navigate my new surroundings slowly and with difficulty.
Those friends of mine were always glad to help me through,
My friends used to be supportive and helpful to me,
Can you tell me where it hurts the most
Can you point out the source of my pain?
Right here
It hurts right in this spot.
Their house was grimy and filthy and dirty, but their hearts were flowing pure and clean
My friends lived in squalor, but I assumed their intentions were good.
Or so I thought, I'd always believe them, at least that's how it seemed to be
I now realize my friends weren't as trustworthy as I once thought.
I guess I thought that way mistakenly, oh
I was wrong to trust them.
They did things to that goat, they did things no one should do
My friends did something cruel and unnatural to a helpless animal.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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