Currently Martyn Jacques, Adrian Stout, Adrian Huge (Past member Phil Butcher)
Their surreal style has been described as dark, darkly humorous, strangely humorous, Brechtian, and gypsy cabaret. They are also notorious for singing controversial songs involving bestiality, prostitution and blasphemy.
The Tiger Lillies were originally buskers, playing songs about the criminals, pimps and whores of Soho, London, England. Over time, the band became involved in several theatrical productions around the world, including the critically acclaimed Shockheaded Peter. Known for their intense, outlandish, and dark performances, they have garnered both controversy and critical acclaim.
Also "The Tiger Lillies", "The Tigerlilies" and "The Tigerlillies" may refer to Indie rock band from Cincinnati, Ohio that formed in 1989.
Bio:
Cincinnati's power pop stalwarts the Tigerlillies formed in 1989 and set out to fuse glam rock, roots rock, and post-punk into an aesthetic they called "More Pop than Jesus." Led by vocalist/guitarist Pat Hennessy, the band also included former members of the Chrome Cranks, the Candy Snatchers, and G.G. Allin & the Murder Junkies before settling on the lineup of Hennessy, guitarist/vocalist William Weber, bassist Brian Driscoll, and drummer/vocalist Steve Hennessy.
Discography:
Deep (1992)
Space Age Love Songs (1997)
Ceci N'est Ces Pop (2003)
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Dead
The Tiger Lillies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You’re going blind
The world goes past
But you’re out of time
And the people in your head
Are all dead
The alcohol brings cheer
Your weary body
And you’re full of fear
And the people in your head
Are all dead
You had a mother
And a father too
Dragged up on the streets
Were you
And the people in your head
Are all dead
And so you’re singing
One last sad song
The chords and melodies
All are wrong
And the people in your head
Are all dead
And the people in your head
Are all dead
The lyrics to The Tiger Lillies' song Dead are haunting and evoke a sense of despair and loneliness in the listener. The first verse mentions the singer's talent for playing the accordion and their impending blindness, which is a metaphor for their emotional blindness to the world around them. The world is passing them by, but they feel out of sync with it. The repetition of the phrase "the people in your head are all dead" is particularly unsettling and suggests that they are haunted or tormented by the memories of those who have passed on.
In the second verse, we see the singer turn to alcohol as a means of coping. It provides temporary relief and allows them to forget their physical exhaustion and fear. However, the people in their head continue to torment them, and they are unable to escape from their thoughts. The third verse provides a glimpse into the singer's upbringing. They had a difficult childhood, growing up on the streets, which may have contributed to their current state of mind.
The last verse is particularly poignant, as the singer sings their final sad song. They are aware that their music is no longer as it should be, but they continue to play it nevertheless. They are resigned to their fate and aware that they are running out of time. The final repetition of "the people in your head are all dead" suggests that the singer has come to terms with their inner demons and is ready to join those who have passed on.
Overall, the lyrics to Dead are a powerful and evocative portrayal of a troubled mind. The repeated phrase "the people in your head are all dead" is particularly haunting, and the use of metaphor and imagery is incredibly effective. The song is a poignant reminder of the struggles that many people face and the importance of seeking help if you are struggling with your mental health.
Line by Line Meaning
You play accordion
You use music as a way to cope with your struggles and emotions.
You’re going blind
You are losing sight of the world around you, both literally and figuratively.
The world goes past
Life moves forward, but you feel stuck and unable to keep up.
But you’re out of time
You feel like you’ve missed your chance to live the life you wanted.
And the people in your head
You have haunting memories and thoughts that won't let you forget your past.
Are all dead
These memories and thoughts are of people who are no longer alive or part of your life.
You stagger home
You stumble back to a lonely and desolate place, feeling defeated.
The alcohol brings cheer
You turn to alcohol as a way to numb the pain and temporarily forget your struggles.
Your weary body
Your tired and exhausted physical state reflects your emotional exhaustion as well.
And you’re full of fear
Your innermost emotions are dominated by a deep sense of fear and apprehension.
You had a mother
You come from a broken family, and your upbringing has shaped your present life.
And a father too
Your father, and the absence of his presence in your life, has left a deep void within.
Dragged up on the streets
Your past is full of hardship and pain, a life of struggle and deprivation.
Were you
These experiences have shaped the person you are today, for better or for worse.
And so you’re singing
Music has become your way of expressing the pain and emotions you feel within.
One last sad song
You feel broken and hopeless, as if this is the last song you will ever sing.
The chords and melodies
The music you create reflects the discord and disharmony within your own life.
All are wrong
Everything in your life feels out of sync and all of your attempts to make things better seem to fail.
And the people in your head
Your traumatic past experiences continue to weigh heavily on your mind and heart.
Are all dead
These experiences continue to haunt you even though the people involved in them are gone.
Contributed by Aiden V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.