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/
https://myspace.com/tigerliliesusa
Venus
The Tiger Lillies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In this world honoured a king
Down to Hell now you’ll go
Try there your power to fling
Two by two ungrateful souls
How the world you sucked
Raping each virgin you found
See all the hypocrites see all the priests
The politicians and kings
Take each one and with joy in your heart
Each one in hell fling
How many corpses lie in their graves
How many girls have you raped
The camel who goes through the eye of a needle
Not one of you God will take
You believe your country your God are right
Your god believe is just
Your priests your murders sanctify
Each killer to Hell is thrust
The lyrics to Venus by The Tiger Lillies speaks of a dark, evil figure - Venus - who is believed to have the power to rape and shape people's lives. It describes a world honours her as a king but now she must descend into hell to try and utilise her power there. Venus is said to have raped many young women, leaving them irreparably damaged. The song talks of her throwing hypocrites, priests, politicians and kings into hell along with killers, as these people believe their God and country is right but their actions are anything but just.
The song illustrates the theme of punishment and redemption well, as Venus must suffer for her awful deeds - which include the rape of many young girls - by flinging hypocrites, murderers and their facilitators into the depths of hell. A creative interpretation of Venus can be that it refers to a historical or political figure rather than a goddess, possibly dictating how those in power can be corrupt and make grave mistakes.
Line by Line Meaning
Venus you’ll rape evil you shape
You embody both the act of rape and the creation of evil.
In this world honoured a king
Despite your despicable actions, you are revered and given great power.
Down to Hell now you’ll go
Your fate is to go to Hell.
Try there your power to fling
You will attempt to exert your power even in the underworld.
Two by two ungrateful souls
You prey upon the ungrateful, taking advantage of them in pairs.
How the world you sucked
You have drained the world of its goodness and left it empty and desolate.
Raping each virgin you found
You have sexually violated every innocent girl you encounter.
Leaving each one of them fucked
You have left each girl scarred and broken, mentally and physically.
See all the hypocrites see all the priests
You observe how those who claim to be virtuous are often the worst offenders.
The politicians and kings
You also see how those in positions of power exploit their privilege and commit atrocities.
Take each one and with joy in your heart
You take pleasure in exacting revenge on these hypocrites and oppressors.
Each one in hell fling
You throw each of them into Hell, where they belong.
How many corpses lie in their graves
You reflect on the countless evil deeds that have been committed throughout history, and the many victims who have died.
How many girls have you raped
You also acknowledge your own terrible actions and the harm you have caused.
The camel who goes through the eye of a needle
You understand that it is impossible for those who have committed such grave sins to seek redemption.
Not one of you God will take
God will not forgive or accept any of these individuals into heaven.
You believe your country your God are right
You recognize the harmful beliefs and delusions that many people hold onto.
Your god believe is just
You understand that these beliefs are not based in truth, but rather are self-serving and oppressive.
Your priests your murders sanctify
You recognize that even those who are supposed to be moral and righteous often justify and promote violence and harm.
Each killer to Hell is thrust
You declare that all who have committed acts of violence and evil will be condemned to Hell.
Contributed by Lincoln S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.