Formed in 1985, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones started playing in Boston clubs in the mid-1980s. After a brief period of inactivity due to the schooling commitments of its members, they reformed and released their album Devil's Night Out on Taang! Records. The Bosstones toured relentlessly throughout the 1990s, playing hundreds of shows a year, releasing albums and spinning off the popular rock radio hit "Someday I Suppose". They were eventually signed to Mercury Records. The band appeared in the movie Clueless. In 1997, the success of their single "The Impression That I Get" and its follow up, "The Rascal King" earned them mainstream recognition. In 2000 they put out their critically acclaimed disk Pay Attention. The Mighty Mighty Bosstones released their last album on Side One Dummy Records. They officially went on hiatus in 2003, citing too much time on the road and desire to branch out and do different things. In 2007, the Bosstones announced that they were reforming. They played their 10th Hometown Throwdown in Boston and released a new album, Medium Rare, which consists of rare B-sides, and 3 new songs, including the single, "Don't Worry Desmond Dekker".
The band announced their split in early 2022.
Holy Smoke
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No pearly gates when you die
We tried to teach, you didn't learn
You're going down, you're gonna burn
Fast at passing judgment and your quick to cast a stone
Hypocrite taking shit, leave me alone
Thump the book and twist the word
Point your finger, wag your tongue
Then pass around the plate
I've made my bed that's where I'll lie,
Won't see the gates when I die
And I've been told I'll never learn,
I'm going down I'm gonna
Screaming demons all hell broke loose
And other dark remarks
You say that's Satan's waiting for me
But I don't give a fuck
If words and music tick you off
Then you're the one who's sick
But I think it fucking followers that really make you tick
As far as I can tell I'm going to hell
As far as I can see, you're coming with me
You made your bed that's where you'll lie
No pearly gates when you die
We tried to teach, you didn't learn
You're going down, you're gonna burn
Holy smoke! is this a joke?
I mean man you're on the move,
Shut 'em up and shut 'em down
If you don't approve
Cuss and curse and stuff your purse
And tell me where I'm goin'
Holy cow, man, don't stop now, man,
Your bank account is growin'
You made you're bed that's where you'll lie
No pearly gates when you die
We tried to teach, you didn't learn
You're going down, you're gonna burn
You made you're bed that's where you'll lie
Thanks God I've got a place to sleep
No pearly gates when you die,
Why should I worry now or cry
You know I'm not concerned
You're going down, you're gonna burn
The lyrics to The Mighty Mighty Bosstones's song Holy Smoke is a scathing commentary on the hypocrisy and judgmental attitudes of some religious people. The song talks about how certain individuals are quick to pass judgment and cast stones at others, even though they themselves are guilty of the same sins they condemn. The opening lines, "You made your bed, that's where you lie, no pearly gates when you die" suggests that those who are hypocritical and judgmental will not be welcomed into heaven, and that they will be punished for their sins.
The song goes on to criticize those who claim to follow the Bible or other religious texts, but twist the words to suit their own purposes. The lines, "Thump the book and twist the word, you're setting sinners straight, point your finger, wag your tongue, then pass around the plate" point to the idea that many religious leaders use their positions of authority to manipulate their followers for financial gain.
Overall, the song Holy Smoke is a scathing critique of the hypocrisy and self-righteousness present in some religious circles. It challenges listeners to think critically about their own beliefs and to avoid falling into the trap of judgmental attitudes and hypocrisy.
Line by Line Meaning
You made your bed, that's where you lie
You are responsible for the path you have taken and will face the consequences of it.
No pearly gates when you die
You will not receive a reward for your actions after death.
We tried to teach, you didn't learn
People have tried to advise you and help you, but you refused to listen to their wisdom.
You're going down, you're gonna burn
You will face the fiery punishment for your wrongdoings.
Fast at passing judgment and your quick to cast a stone
You are too quick to criticize and judge others, despite your own flaws.
Hypocrite taking shit, leave me alone
You are a hypocrite who criticizes others while ignoring your own shortcomings.
Thump the book and twist the word
You are using religion to justify your actions and manipulate others.
You're setting sinners straight
You consider yourself righteous and use your superiority to condemn others.
Point your finger, wag your tongue
You are quick to blame others and speak poorly of them.
Then pass around the plate
You use religion to solicit money from others for your own gain.
I've made my bed that's where I'll lie
I accept the consequences of my actions and am at peace with them.
Won't see the gates when I die
I do not expect to be rewarded in the afterlife for my actions.
And I've been told I'll never learn
Others have criticized me for my choices and believe I will never learn from my mistakes.
I'm going down I'm gonna
I accept that I will be punished for my wrongdoings.
Screaming demons all hell broke loose
I will face terrifying consequences for my actions.
You say that's Satan's waiting for me
You believe I will be punished for my sins in the afterlife.
But I don't give a fuck
I do not care about your judgment or beliefs.
If words and music tick you off
If you are angered by my words and music, it is your problem.
Then you're the one who's sick
Your own negative reaction to my words and music indicates that you have personal issues to resolve.
But I think it fucking followers that really make you tick
You are more concerned with accumulating followers than living a truly righteous life.
As far as I can tell I'm going to hell
I accept that I will face punishment for my actions.
As far as I can see, you're coming with me
You too will face consequences for your wrongdoing.
Holy smoke! is this a joke?
This situation is so ridiculous that it seems like a joke.
I mean man you're on the move,
You are quickly moving towards punishment for your actions.
Shut 'em up and shut 'em down
You try to silence those who criticize you or disagree with you.
If you don't approve
If you do not agree with me or support me.
Cuss and curse and stuff your purse
You use foul language and devious tactics to obtain money.
And tell me where I'm goin'
You try to control me and dictate my actions.
Holy cow, man, don't stop now, man,
You are so obsessed with money that you cannot stop seeking it.
Your bank account is growin'
Your obsession with money has led to financial success, but at what cost?
Thanks God I've got a place to sleep
I am grateful for the blessings I have, despite the punishment I will face.
Why should I worry now or cry
I do not see the point in worrying or crying about my punishment when it is inevitable.
You know I'm not concerned
I have accepted my fate and am at peace with it.
You're going down, you're gonna burn
You too will face punishment for your wrongdoings.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DENNIS BROCKENBOROUGH, DICKY BARRETT, JOE GITTLEMAN, JOSEPH SIROIS, KEVIN LENEAR, NATE ALBERT, TIM BURTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind