Band members are as follows:
Vic Ruggiero - Keyboards, Vocals
Jay "Agent Jay" Nugent - Guitar
Dave Hillyard - Saxophone
Glen Pine - Trombone, Vocals
Marcus Geard - Bass
Ara Babajian - Drums
Former members and contributors:
Marq "Q-Maxx 4:20" Lyn - Vocals
TJ Scanlon - Guitar
Luis "Zulu" Zuluaga - Drums
Jeremy "Mush One" Mushlin - Trumpet, Vocals
Allen Teboul - Drums
Dunia Best- Vocals, Flute
Jeff "King Django" Baker - Trombone
Tobias Fields - Congas
Eric "E-ROC" Singer - Alto Saxophone
Victor Rice - Bass
Dave Hahn - lead guitar
Justin Redekop- Trumpet
The next album released was Redlight, on HellCat Records in 1997. This album solidified their sound and further fixed the line-up.
The band released its latest album, entitled Self Medication, in May of 2008.
Soldier
The Slackers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Soldier why you wear your pants
So tight, your boots so long
A shiny badge to make you strong
[Chorus]
Soldier git ready for a fight
In your jacket black as night
Mister git ready for a fall
Officer put me all at ease
A holster's where you keep your piece
Hold it in your lawful hand
And then you tell me your the man
[Chorus]
Officer hold me close and tight
On a cold December night
Doing me wrong that feels so right
Beneath a cold electric light
Please let me take another bite
Just one kick and say goodnight
Your boots so long your legs so strong
Singing your football victory song
"ha ha ha ha..."
The song "Soldier" by The Slackers is a critique of the concept of masculinity and power that is associated with the image of a soldier. The lyrics point out how the appearance of a soldier in their uniform is designed to create an aura of authority and toughness. The opening lines of the song, "They say the clothes maketh the man/Soldier why you wear your pants/So tight, your boots so long/A shiny badge to make you strong," alludes to the idea that wearing the uniform and the badge gives the soldier confidence and strength.
The chorus of the song, "Soldier git ready for a fight/In your jacket black as night/In your boots so big and tall/Mister git ready for a fall," is a commentary on the inherent violence and aggression that comes with being a soldier. The song is critical of the glorification of military might, and the way in which this can blind people to the destructive nature of warfare.
The second verse of the song focuses on the figure of the officer. The lyrics, "Officer put me all at ease/A holster's where you keep your piece/Hold it in your lawful hand/And then you tell me your the man," suggest that the power dynamic between the officer and the regular soldier is built on the authority that comes with carrying a weapon. The final lines of the song, which repeat the sound of the officer's laughter, suggest that the real power in the relationship between soldier and officer is not simply based on rank, but on the ability of the officer to manipulate and control those under their command.
Line by Line Meaning
They say the clothes maketh the man
It is believed that a person's clothing defines their personality and character
Soldier why you wear your pants
Asking the soldier about the reason for wearing pants in a certain way
So tight, your boots so long
Referring to the specific attire and uniform of a soldier, which includes tight pants and long boots
A shiny badge to make you strong
Describing a badge worn by a soldier that symbolizes their strength and authority
[Chorus]
Repeating the refrain of the song
Officer put me all at ease
Expressing trust and confidence in an officer
A holster's where you keep your piece
Describing the location of an officer's weapon
Hold it in your lawful hand
Emphasizing the importance of carrying a weapon within the bounds of the law
And then you tell me your the man
Implying that an officer's authority stems from the power he has to wield a weapon
[Chorus]
Repeating the refrain of the song
Officer hold me close and tight
Describing an intimate moment between the singer and the officer
On a cold December night
Providing context for the time and setting of the previous line
Doing me wrong that feels so right
Suggesting that the singer is engaged in an illicit relationship with the officer
Beneath a cold electric light
Describing the lighting at the location of the aforementioned moment
Please let me take another bite
Requesting to continue the relationship with the officer
Just one kick and say goodnight
Suggesting a violent or sexual encounter with the officer
Your boots so long your legs so strong
Referring again to the specific attire of a soldier
Singing your football victory song
Imagining a triumphant celebration in the style of a sports team
"ha ha ha ha..."
A sarcastic or cynical reaction to the earlier descriptions of soldier and officer attire
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Kelendria Rowland, Rich Harrison, Beyonce Knowles, Michelle Williams, Sean Garrett, Clifford Harris
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind