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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Tick Tock
The Tiger Lillies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I remember as a young man in the young girl's arms
Now I'm old and impotent waiting to be embalmed
I remember as a young man marriage and childbirth
Now I'm old and cynical and I've got a bloated girth
I remember as a young man steady on my feet
Now I need a walking stick and I haven't got any teeth
The Tiger Lillies's song Tick Tock is a haunting and melancholic reflection on the fleeting nature of time and the inevitable process of aging. The repetitive chorus, "Tick tock goes the clock tick tick tick tick tick tick tock," creates a sense of urgency as the listener is reminded that time is constantly ticking away. The verses contrast the singer's memories of youth and vitality with his current state of decay and regret.
The first verse recalls a time when the singer was young and in love, but now he is old and impotent, waiting for death. The second verse laments the loss of youth and the responsibilities that come with age, such as marriage and childbirth. The final verse highlights the physical decline of the singer, who once was steady on his feet but now needs assistance walking and has lost his teeth. The melancholy tone of the lyrics is matched by the mournful accordion and eerie vocals, creating a sense of unease and reflection.
Line by Line Meaning
Tick tock goes the clock tick tick tick tick tick tick tock
The sound of the clock ticking represents the passing of time
I remember as a young man in the young girl's arms
The singer reminisces about the days of youth when he had a romantic partner
Now I'm old and impotent waiting to be embalmed
The singer is now elderly and unable to perform sexually, anticipating his own death
I remember as a young man marriage and childbirth
The artist reflects on his younger days when he was married and had children
Now I'm old and cynical and I've got a bloated girth
The artist has now become jaded and bitter, and has gained weight in old age
I remember as a young man steady on my feet
The singer recalls his younger days when he was physically able and agile
Now I need a walking stick and I haven't got any teeth
The singer is now dependent on a walking aid and has lost his teeth, indicating his physical decline
Contributed by Adalyn N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.