They began their career in 1991, cutting their first 7" record later that year with the lineup of Joey Vindictive (vocals), Johnny Personality (bass), Billy Blastoff (guitar), Dr. Bob (guitar), P.J. Parti (drums) and Erik Elsewhere (drums). The band would end up releasing 12 albums until July of 1996, when Joey Vindictive revealed that his health issues would prevent the band from going on. Luckily for him, he overcame his ailments to re-form the band in 2000, cutting a new album and overseeing the re-release of a significant part of their catalog. Dr. Bob died in 2003 due to a heroin overdose. Their song "The Invisible Man" was featured in the Ubisoft game Watch Dogs, where it attracted attention to restart the band once more in 2013, releasing a new EP titled Mono-Flexi, and to remaster most of their previous songs as Songbooks coming in volumes starting from I to III.
The Vindictives' website is currently down indefinitely.
Bike
The Vindictives Lyrics
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It's got a basket, a bell that rings and
Things to make it look good.
I'd give it to you if I could, but I borrowed it.
You're the kind of girl that fits in with my world.
I'll give you anything, ev'rything if you want things.
I've got a cloak. It's a bit of a joke.
There's a tear up the front. It's red and black.
If you think it could look good, then I guess it should.
You're the kind of girl that fits in with my world.
I'll give you anything, ev'rything if you want things.
I know a mouse, and he hasn't got a house.
I don't know why. I call him Gerald.
He's getting rather old, but he's a good mouse.
You're the kind of girl that fits in with my world.
I'll give you anything, ev'rything if you want things.
I've got a clan of gingerbread men.
Here a man, there a man, lots of gingerbread men.
Take a couple if you wish. They're on the dish.
You're the kind of girl that fits in with my world.
I'll give you anything, ev'rything if you want things.
I know a room of musical tunes.
Some rhyme, some ching. Most of them are clockwork.
Let's go into the other room and make them work
The Vindictives's song Bike is a playful and whimsical tune that is characterized by its unusual and often nonsensical lyrics. The song starts with the singer offering his bike to the listener, describing it as having a basket, a bell, and "things to make it look good." However, he then admits that he has borrowed the bike and cannot give it away. The singer then goes on to mention his cloak, which has a tear in the front and is red and black. He suggests that if the listener thinks it could look good, then it probably does.
The singer then introduces his friend Gerald, a mouse who doesn't have a house, and a clan of gingerbread men. He invites the listener to take as many gingerbread men as they want from the dish. Finally, he mentions a room full of musical tunes, some of which rhyme and some of which "ching." He suggests that they go into the other room and make the clocks work.
Despite its seemingly random and disconnected lyrics, Bike is a song about sharing and generosity. The singer is eager to give away his possessions, even if they are not technically his to give. He is also open to exploring and experiencing new things with the listener. The song's playful and whimsical tone suggests that it is not meant to be taken too seriously but is rather intended to be a lighthearted and enjoyable experience.
Line by Line Meaning
I've got a bike. You can ride it if you like.
I have a bike that you can borrow if you want to ride it.
It's got a basket, a bell that rings and Things to make it look good.
The bike has a basket, a bell that rings, and accessories that make it look nice.
I'd give it to you if I could, but I borrowed it.
I would lend it to you, but I borrowed it from someone else.
You're the kind of girl that fits in with my world.
You are the type of person who fits in with my lifestyle and interests.
I'll give you anything, ev'rything if you want things.
I am willing to give you anything and everything that you desire.
I've got a cloak. It's a bit of a joke.
I have a cloak that is somewhat silly or ridiculous.
There's a tear up the front. It's red and black.
There is a tear on the front of the cloak that is red and black in color.
I've had it for months.
I have owned the cloak for several months.
If you think it could look good, then I guess it should.
If you believe that the cloak could look good on you, then I suppose it could be worn.
I know a mouse, and he hasn't got a house.
I am acquainted with a mouse that is homeless.
I don't know why. I call him Gerald.
I do not have a specific reason, but I have given the mouse a name, which is Gerald.
He's getting rather old, but he's a good mouse.
The mouse is aging, but I consider him to be a good mouse.
I've got a clan of gingerbread men.
I have a group of gingerbread men.
Here a man, there a man, lots of gingerbread men.
There are many gingerbread men, scattered around in different places.
Take a couple if you wish. They're on the dish.
You may take a few gingerbread men if you want. They are sitting on a dish.
I know a room of musical tunes.
I am aware of a room filled with musical instruments or recordings.
Some rhyme, some ching. Most of them are clockwork.
Some of the musical instruments have melodic patterns, others produce metallic sounds. The majority of them are powered by a clockwork mechanism.
Let's go into the other room and make them work.
Let us proceed to another room where we can activate the musical instruments.
Contributed by Gianna Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.