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.
Space Man
The Vindictives Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bang, bang, shoot em' up to the moon
Bang, bang, shoot em' up one, two, three
(One, two, three, four!)
I wanted to be a spaceman
That's what I wanted to be
But now that I am a spaceman
Hey mother fuck
Won't 'cha bring me back down
Safely to the sea
But 'round and around and around and around
Is all she ever say to me
I wanted to make a good run
I wanted to go to the moon
I knew that it had to be fun
I told 'em to send me real soon
I wanted to be a spaceman
I wanted to be it so bad
But now that I am a spaceman
I'd rather be back on the pad
Hey mother fuck
Won't 'cha bring me back down
Safely to the sea
But 'round and around and around and around
Is all you ever say to me
'Round and around and around and around and around
(So bring me back down)
'Round and around and around and around and around
Safe on the ground
Hey what the fuck,
Won't 'cha bring me back down
Safely to the sea
But 'round and around and around and around
Is all you ever say to me, yeah
The song 'Space Man' by The Vindictives is about the desire to explore and the loneliness that comes with it. The lyrics begin with a chant of "Bang, bang, shoot em' up" which sets the tone for the song being about space travel, but also hints at the violence that often comes with it. The singer expresses his desire to be a spaceman and go to the moon, but his dreams are not fulfilled. He feels isolated and disregarded by others who do not share his passion for space travel. The frustration is expressed through the use of a repetitive chorus asking to be brought back down to earth.
The lyrics of the song convey a sense of disillusionment when one's dreams are not realized. The singer talks about how he always wanted to go to space, but being there has not lived up to his expectations. He is caught up in the whirlwind of space travel and has lost touch with reality. The song speaks to a larger theme of humanity's desire to explore and discover new worlds, but also acknowledges the loneliness and isolation that come with it.
Line by Line Meaning
Bang, bang, shoot em' up, destiny
Emphasizes the destructive and inevitable nature of fate, likening it to a violent confrontation.
Bang, bang, shoot em' up to the moon
Uses a militaristic phrase to express the desire to travel to the moon, suggesting the need for force and power to achieve it.
Bang, bang, shoot em' up one, two, three
Follows the previous line with a countdown-style rhythm, emphasizing the urgency and immediacy of the desire to reach the moon.
I wanted to be a spaceman
Expresses a childhood dream of wanting to travel into space and experience the wonder of exploring the unknown.
That's what I wanted to be
Reinforces the previous line, highlighting the singularity and importance of this dream.
But now that I am a spaceman
Suggests a sense of disappointment with the present reality of being an astronaut, and the disillusionment with the dream now that it has been achieved.
Nobody cares about me
Highlights the alienation and feeling of insignificance that comes with achieving a lifelong dream and realizing it does not bring happiness.
Hey mother fuck
Uses an aggressive and vulgar tone to address the person or entity responsible for the character's continued isolation and dissatisfaction.
Won't 'cha bring me back down
Expresses a desire to escape the isolation and get back to a sense of normalcy and groundedness.
Safely to the sea
Specifies a destination of safety and comfort, suggesting a longing for the familiar and mundane.
But 'round and around and around and around
Repeats a circular pattern of disappointment and frustration, suggesting the impossibility of escaping the current situation.
Is all she ever say to me
Refers back to the previous line, emphasizing the unchanging and hopeless nature of the situation.
I wanted to make a good run
Expresses a desire for success and achievement, but with an implied futility given the previous lines.
I wanted to go to the moon
Reiterates the earlier longing to reach the moon, but with a sense of desperation or resignation.
I knew that it had to be fun
Recalls the enjoyment and fascination of the initial dream, but with the realization that the reality is not as exciting as imagined.
I told 'em to send me real soon
Suggests a willingness to take on the challenge of space travel and the eagerness to do so as soon as possible.
I'd rather be back on the pad
Expresses a disappointment or longing for a return to a simpler time before the dream was achieved, when the anticipation and excitement were still high.
'Round and around and around and around and around
Repeats the same circular pattern as before, emphasizing the feeling of being stuck and unable to escape the cycle of disappointment and frustration.
(So bring me back down)
Restates the earlier desire to return to safety and normalcy after the failed attempt at fulfilling the dream.
Safe on the ground
Describes the desired end state of being grounded and secure after the tumultuous experience of space travel.
Hey what the fuck,
Uses a similar tone to earlier in the song to express frustration and anger at the situation.
Won't 'cha bring me back down
Reiterates the desire to escape the current situation and return to stability and normalcy.
Is all you ever say to me, yeah
Repeats the previous pattern of circularity, suggesting a lack of progress or change in the situation despite persistent desire for it.
Contributed by Ellie C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.