Darnielle began the new millennium with The Coroner's Gambit for Absolutely Kosher before signing to 4AD for the release of the surprisingly polished Tallahassee in 2002. We Shall All Be Healed followed in 2004, and one year later, Darnielle was back with The Sunset Tree. Remaining as prolific as ever, Darnielle turned away from the intensity of The Sunset Tree for a calmer, more reflective set of songs on 2006's Get Lonely. The accessible and assured Heretic Pride appeared in 2008. Next up was the Bible verse-inspired The Life of the World to Come, the group's sixth album for 4AD, in 2010. Switching to Merge Records in 2011, Darnielle released All Eternals Deck, which was recorded in four different studios in Brooklyn, Boston, North Carolina, and Florida with four different producers -- John Congleton, Scott Solter, Brandon Eggleston, and Morbid Angel guitarist and Hate Eternal frontman Erik Rutan -- helming various tracks. That year the band was also handpicked by Jeff Mangum of Neutral Milk Hotel to perform at the All Tomorrow's Parties festival that he was curating in Minehead, England, but they were ultimately unable to appear due to scheduling issues.
Werewolf Gimmick
The Mountain Goats Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I show up just in time to pop you can clear the goddamn floor
Empty out the locker room, let me find my space
Let him who thinks he knows no fear look well upon my face
Nameless bodies in unremembered rooms
Know how a man becomes a beast when the wolfbane blooms
Sail past all the grasping hands, floodlights white and hot
Some sniveling local babyface with an angle he can't sell
Full werewolf off the buckle like an angel straight from hell
Nameless bodies in unremembered rooms
Run howling through the carnage when the wolfbane blooms
Half the city sound asleep and safe inside their beds
Get lost inside my thoughts and nearly tear his face to shreds
Blood pooling on the canvas as the atmosphere gets hushed
Bring your heroes to the wolf's den, watch them all get crushed
Get told to maybe dial it back backstage later on
Everyone still in this building right now: dead before the dawn
Nameless bodies in unremembered rooms
The pure at heart go putrid when the wolfbane blooms
The song "Werewolf Gimmick" by the Mountain Goats appears to be about professional wrestling, with the singer being a wrestler who is about to perform. The lyrics suggest that the wrestler is so confident in his abilities that he doesn't need to rehearse anymore. When he shows up to perform, he clears out the locker room to make space for himself. He challenges anyone who thinks they know no fear to look at his face, indicating that he is not afraid of anything, perhaps not even death.
The chorus "Nameless bodies in unremembered rooms, know how a man becomes a beast when the wolfbane blooms" is a reference to a classic horror movie trope. Wolfbane is a plant that has been known throughout history for its use in werewolf lore. The chorus suggests that when the wrestler enters the ring, he becomes a beast, much like a werewolf. The verses go on to describe how the wrestler dominates his opponent, with the imagery of blood pooling on the canvas adding to the sense of violence.
The final verse suggests that the wrestler's violence and brutality don't end in the ring. Instead, his "pure at heart" opponents become "putrid" after encountering him. This may be a criticism of the way that professional wrestling glorifies violence and aggression.
Line by Line Meaning
I was not there for rehearsal, I don't need it any more
I have no use for rehearsal because I am a natural performer.
When I show up just in time to pop you can clear the goddamn floor
My mere presence is enough to intimidate others into leaving the room.
Empty out the locker room, let me find my space
I need space to prepare myself mentally for my performance.
Let him who thinks he knows no fear look well upon my face
My intimidating presence should be enough to make even the bravest person feel fear.
Nameless bodies in unremembered rooms
There have been many people who have faced my wrath, but they remain forgotten.
Know how a man becomes a beast when the wolfbane blooms
People are capable of becoming savage and violent when pushed to their limits.
Sail past all the grasping hands, floodlights white and hot
I am the main focus of attention and I am thriving under the spotlight.
Bring my vision into focus, find out what I've got
I want to discover the full extent of my abilities and potential.
Some sniveling local babyface with an angle he can't sell
My opponent is weak and is unable to put up a good fight.
Full werewolf off the buckle like an angel straight from hell
I attack my opponent fiercely and viciously, like a wolf going in for the kill.
Half the city sound asleep and safe inside their beds
The majority of the population is unaware of the violent and savage events taking place.
Get lost inside my thoughts and nearly tear his face to shreds
I allow my aggression to take over and violently attack my opponent.
Blood pooling on the canvas as the atmosphere gets hushed
There is a sense of dread and quietness as people react to the intense violence taking place.
Bring your heroes to the wolf's den, watch them all get crushed
I am not afraid to take on anyone, no matter how strong or revered they may be.
Get told to maybe dial it back backstage later on
Others may attempt to control my aggression and violent tendencies.
Everyone still in this building right now: dead before the dawn
There is a sense of inevitable doom and destruction that will inevitably come.
The pure at heart go putrid when the wolfbane blooms
Even people who are inherently good and moral can become corrupt and violent when pushed to their limits.
Lyrics © SCHUBERT MUSIC PUBLISHING INC.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bleakbirds
I was not there for rehearsal, I don’t need it any more
When I show up just in time to pop you can clear the goddamn floor
Empty out the locker room, let me find my space
Let him who thinks he knows no fear look well upon my face
Nameless bodies in unremembered rooms
Know how a man becomes a beast when the wolfbane blooms
Sail past all the grasping hands, floodlights white and hot
Bring my vision into focus, find out what I’ve got
Some sniveling local babyface with an angle he can’t sell
Full werewolf off the buckle like an angel straight from hell
Nameless bodies in unremembered rooms
Run howling through the carnage when the wolfbane blooms
Half the city sound asleep and safe inside their beds
Get lost inside my thoughts and nearly tear his face to shreds
Blood pooling on the canvas as the atmosphere gets hushed
Bring your heroes to the wolf’s den, watch them all get crushed
Get told to maybe dial it back backstage later on
Everyone still in this building right now: dead before the dawn
Nameless bodies in unremembered rooms
The pure at heart go putrid when the wolfbane blooms
@dezaraejohnson674
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