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)
https://facebook.com/TheTigerliliesUSA/
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Start A Fire
The Tiger Lillies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I like burning anything, it's the truth I tell.
Libraries and museums, both of them have fell,
I like burning things, burning things is swell.
I would like to start it as a fashion trend,
Amongst the young people, then the world might end.
Wouldn't it be fun, to ring the funeral bell,
Start a fire, start a fire, start a fire today.
Burn it, burn it, burn it, burn it, burn it all away.
Fire! Fire!
In the summer I like to go to the country side,
Where I burn a forest down, I watch it burn with pride.
Isn't nature wonderful, it makes things so dry,
Burn it, burn it, burn it, burn it, burn the country side.
Start a fire, start a fire, start a fire today
Burn it, burn it, burn it, burn it, burn it all away.
Fire! Fire!
It makes me feel so sad to see young people dance,
They could burn the discotheque down, they've got every chance.
Then they'd get themselves into the news,
Burning things, burning things can make you famous too.
Start a fire, start a fire, start a fire today
Burn it, burn it, burn it, burn it, burn it all away.
Fire! Fire!
Burn it, burn it, burn it, burn it, burn it all away.
The Tiger Lillies's song "Start a Fire" is a darkly humorous and disturbing commentary on the destructive tendencies of human beings. The song's narrator seems to take great pleasure in burning things - anything from houses and factories to libraries and museums. The repetitive chorus, "Start a fire, start a fire, start a fire today. Burn it, burn it, burn it, burn it, burn it all away," suggests a desire for complete destruction and annihilation.
The singer also expresses a desire to turn burning things into a fashion trend, encouraging young people to join in and burn everything in sight. The lyric "On our civilization, and watch it burn in Hell" indicates a deeper nihilistic attitude towards the world that sees little value in anything around us.
The song becomes even more unsettling with the lines "In the summer I like to go to the countryside, Where I burn a forest down, I watch it burn with pride." The singer seems to revel in the destruction of nature, suggesting a complete disregard for the environment.
Overall, "Start a Fire" is a disturbing portrayal of an individual consumed by the desire to destroy everything around them, without regard for the consequences or the value of what they are destroying.
Line by Line Meaning
I like burning houses down, and factories as well.
I derive pleasure from causing destruction by burning buildings, including factories.
I like burning anything, it's the truth I tell.
I admit to my love for burning anything and everything.
Libraries and museums, both of them have fell,
I have destroyed both libraries and museums through burning.
I like burning things, burning things is swell.
I find the act of burning things to be enjoyable.
I would like to start it as a fashion trend,
I desire to make burning things fashionable.
Amongst the young people, then the world might end.
If young people adopt burning as a trend, it could lead to the world's downfall.
Wouldn't it be fun, to ring the funeral bell,
It would be a good time to signal the death of our society by burning things.
On our civilization, and watch it burn in Hell.
I want to witness the burning of our civilization and see it go to Hell.
I like to go to the country side,
I enjoy visiting rural areas.
Where I burn a forest down, I watch it burn with pride.
I take satisfaction in burning entire forests and watching them burn.
Isn't nature wonderful, it makes things so dry,
I appreciate nature for making it easier to burn things by creating dry conditions.
Burn it, burn it, burn it, burn it, burn the country side.
I want to burn the countryside to the ground.
It makes me feel so sad to see young people dance,
I feel sadness at the sight of young people enjoying life.
They could burn the discotheque down, they've got every chance.
It is easy for young people to burn down places they frequent like discotheques.
Then they'd get themselves into the news,
The act of burning things would put them in the news.
Burning things, burning things can make you famous too.
One can become famous by burning things.
Burn it, burn it, burn it, burn it, burn it all away.
I urge people to join me in burning everything to the ground.
Contributed by Adam V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Morlanius
One reason this tune is amazing;
This shows that not shouting fire in a theatre isn't an exception to free speech, free speech is the exception to not shouting fire in a theatre.
C. Murdock
This is going to be played at my funeral!
PyroGothNerd
Let me guess.... cremation?
amir afshar
Open pyre funeral? Like hindus and viking chieftains.
Matt
I will set the casket ablaze.
Ethan sophia44
The song gets me through my day
MK Ultra
Man this is awesome!!!!!!!!
DustWarden
This wound up on a playlist of mine - there was something in between but the video was removed & now it comes right after "Burn it Down" by The Cog is Dead. This is the first time I've listened to them back to back & I laughed so hard I had to blow my nose.
ghost lobster
I really love this band tbh
Crafty Strawberry
I love these guys