Nader met Eddy in a blues bar in Beirut a couple of years ago. Well, technically, they met outside the bar on the sidewalk in the middle of a fistfight. Luckily, they weren’t punching each other, and their friendship developed over cheap tequila. They eventually decided to form a band together.
Eddy is influenced by stuff like the Rolling Stones, The Kinks, Oasis and the Arctic Monkeys, while Nader is more of a Muddy Waters, RL Burnside and Seasick Steve kind of man. They both agree on The Black Keys and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club.
Finding common ground between stompy swamp blues and rock riffs, between acoustic and electric sounds, between garage rock and the blues, that’s where the Wanton Bishops have found their voice, and that’s where they’re at their best. Actually, where they’re really at their best is live. But that’s not something you should be reading, that’s something you should experience for yourself.
Between Nader’s guttural voice and his wailing harmonica, and Eddy’s rhythmic riffs, between the stomping, and the strings snapping on abused guitars, you’ll understand that there’s something there in the rawness of it all.
The Wanton Bishops released their debut album “Sleep With The Lights On” in December 2012, and in the year since they handed out bootleg EPs in a dive bar in Beirut, they’ve toured in Turkey, France, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, as well as supported Guns N’ Roses and Lana Del Rey in Lebanon.
Sleep With The Lights on is available on iTunes, Spotify, and a whole bunch of other places online.
Bad Rhyme
The Wanton Bishops Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To keep you away you rolling stone,
It's true, it's you
From the hills of California to New Orleans,
I run away but you got a hold on me,
It's true, it's you
Soul,
Now the devil may take my soul,
Soul, soul,
Now the devil may take my soul,
Dance with me a last rock n roll,
I wish I had a dime for every time I heard this bad rhyme
Remember the cries, remember the smiles,
The weary grin, all the lies and ali,
It's true, it's you
Like pointy spines on a flower,
First it was sweat then a little too sour,
It's true, it's you,
Now the devil may take my soul,
Soul,
Now the devil may take my soul,
Soul, soul,
Now the devil may take my soul,
Bring you back to me a last rock n roll,
I wish I had a dime for every time I heard this bad rhyme
Now shake baby shake baby shake now
Now the devil may take my soul,
Bring you back to me a last rock n roll,
I wish I had a dime for every time I heard this bad rhyme.
The lyrics to The Wanton Bishops's song Bad Rhyme seem to be about a person who is trapped in a toxic relationship they wish to break free from. The mention of a mojo and black cat bone to keep the other person away suggests that some kind of magic or superstition is needed to keep them from returning. Despite running away from their partner, they feel like they can't escape their hold. They are aware that this person is not good for them, but they can't help feeling a strong, possibly negative, connection to them. The devil may take their soul and they're aware of the danger they're in, but they still want to dance one last rock n' roll with them. The imagery of pointy spines on a flower and sweat turned sour indicates that the relationship begins well, but ends up causing pain and discomfort.
The chorus, "I wish I had a dime for every time I heard this bad rhyme," suggests that the singer has heard this same story or situation repeated many times before, indicating that this is a common issue experienced by many (hence the "bad rhyme").
Overall, the song illustrates the complexity of relationships and the difficult decisions that come with them. The singer is torn between their desire to escape and their lingering feelings for their partner, even if they are not good for them.
Line by Line Meaning
I got a mojo, got a black cat bone,
To keep you away you rolling stone,
It's true, it's you
I have protective charms to keep you, a wandering person, away from me. I believe you are the reason for my troubles.
From the hills of California to New Orleans,
I run away but you got a hold on me,
It's true, it's you
I have tried to escape from you, but I feel a strong attachment that I cannot break free from. You are the one causing my love pain.
Now the devil may take my soul,
Soul,
Now the devil may take my soul,
Soul, soul,
Now the devil may take my soul,
Dance with me a last rock n roll,
I wish I had a dime for every time I heard this bad rhyme
I am willing to give up my soul just to have one last dance with you. These lyrics are overused and cliche, and I wish I was not singing them again.
Remember the cries, remember the smiles,
The weary grin, all the lies and ali,
It's true, it's you
I remember all the emotions we have shared, both happy and sad. You have caused me tiredness and deceit, but I still find myself drawn towards you.
Like pointy spines on a flower,
First it was sweat then a little too sour,
It's true, it's you,
You are comparable to the thorns on a flower, causing me physical and emotional pain. Initially, I was attracted to you, but it has turned out to be a negative experience.
Now shake baby shake baby shake now
This line is a repeated refrain, intended for the audience to dance and let loose.
Now the devil may take my soul,
Bring you back to me a last rock n roll,
I wish I had a dime for every time I heard this bad rhyme
Even though I am aware that singing this song is like repeating an old story. I am still willing to give up my soul just to have one last dance with you. If I had a penny for every time I've heard this awful song, I would be rich.
Contributed by Jonathan J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
ArminiusvanLand
I've seen The Wanton Bishop's on the german-french TV-Broadcast arte a few minutes ago. I've never thought that such good music could come from Lebanon. Thumb up :)
Armando Rodriguez
love this sound music and all of it!! ;)
Walol ol
Hell yeah that's some good sound!! cheers from Morocco!
Adwitiya Kareng Das
Oh hell yes this is fucking brilliant!…love from India :D
ashley van heerden
cant wait to see you guys in SA! #RTD2014
Sarper Sarı
i should be a part of this band
Luan Rocha
eu sou o único brasileiro de bom gosto aqui?
Jonnie Max Simm
Com certeza não, eu também curto esta dupla!
Luan Rocha
Os caras são incríveis
Jonnie Max Simm
Sim, realmente são.