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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Ghetto
The Tiger Lillies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She's got a hand brake that lasts so long,
And God how she loves you when you feel blue.
Crushed, you're so crushed, you don't know what to do.
This world is a ghetto where money is the dream,
And you've pawned your last coat, with nothing to redeem.
Left you the wreckage on which to stare.
You better realize something, they push you when they can,
God he don't say nothing, he just carries the can.
This world's a ghetto where money is the dream,
And you've pawned your last coat with nothing to redeem.
The opening lines of The Tiger Lillies "Ghetto" immediately channel an emotional struggle that the rest of the song is entirely centered around. The song's lyrics introduce the listener to a person who is completely crushed, trapped in a world consumed by the pursuit of money at the expense of everything else. The first verse presents the idea of God holding the singer's hand, inferring the idea of a higher power providing solace, but this hand brake that lasts so long indicates that God doesn't necessarily just provide comfort but is also capable of providing restraint.
The chorus repeats the idea that the world is but a ghetto where the pursuit of money is the only way to escape from poverty, and the imagery of the pawned coat highlights the idea of giving up something vital for a fleeting glimmer of hope. The second verse returns to the idea of heartbreak with the singer being left with the wreckage of a failed relationship, returning to the notion of God carrying the can, indicating that while they are present in the singer's life, a solution does not necessarily present itself. The lines that "they push you when they can, / God he don't say nothing, he just carries the can" infer the idea that despite God's presence, the singer still needs to fight the difficulties they face in the world.
Overall, "Ghetto" comprises a powerful statement about poverty, heartbreak, and the necessity of fighting hard to transcend difficult situations, and the use of the voice and the lyrics' style helps create a deeper emotional impact.
Line by Line Meaning
God holds your hand then, and she is so strong,
Despite the hardships you face, God is always with you, offering support and strength.
She's got a hand brake that lasts so long,
God's support is steadfast, enduring through all the difficult times.
And God how she loves you when you feel blue.
Even when you're feeling sad and overwhelmed, God's love is there to comfort you.
Crushed, you're so crushed, you don't know what to do.
The struggles of living in an oppressive, impoverished community have left you feeling crushed and helpless.
This world is a ghetto where money is the dream,
The reality of the world is that money is often the only means of survival and success, creating an environment of constant competition and struggle for resources.
And you've pawned your last coat, with nothing to redeem.
You've been forced to part with your last possessions, leaving you with nothing of value or worth to your name.
She broke your heart then, with one broken stare,
Your love has left you feeling heartbroken and alone, even in the midst of an already challenging environment.
Left you the wreckage on which to stare.
Your love has not only abandoned you but has left you with the painful aftermath of their departure, with no means of relief or escape.
You better realize something, they push you when they can,
Others in this harsh environment will exploit and take advantage of any vulnerability they perceive in you, causing you to feel constantly on guard and defensive.
God he don't say nothing, he just carries the can.
While God’s love is present and enduring, it doesn't necessarily offer a solution to the struggles and hardships you face. Instead, you are left to bear the burden of your circumstances while still finding hope in God's constant presence.
This world's a ghetto where money is the dream,
The refrain repeats to emphasize the pervasive and inescapable nature of the oppressive environment, where the desperate desire for money is the norm.
And you've pawned your last coat with nothing to redeem.
The refrain repeats to reinforce the sense of hopelessness and loss, where even your most basic possessions have been reduced to nothing and can't save you from the cycle of poverty and despair.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
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