Them Crooked Vultures were released by Interscope Records in North America, and Sony Music internationally. On the 21st of October radio personality Alan Cross announced the lead single for Them Crooked Vultures debut album to be "New Fang" which premiered on October 26. The single was released on November 2 worldwide as a free download. Iconvision subsequently announced that the album will be released on the 17th of November, 2009. On November 3, the band gave a free copy of "Mind Eraser (No Chaser)" to fans that had bought tickets to a live performance and offered it on iTunes as a free download. On November 9, Them Crooked Vultures started streaming their full album on their website, and also through a link to their mailing list with the title "Fuck Patience, Let's Dance."
On September 1, the band announced two 2009 tours of North America and the United Kingdom, in October and December respectively. The 2009 Tour was titled Deserve the Future Tour and the UK leg sold out in just under 12 minutes, making it one of the quickest sold tours in the UK - without the band even officially releasing a song prior to sales. On September 21, the band also announced 3 Germany dates for December 2009.
Elephants
Them Crooked Vultures Lyrics
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Borracho, cansado
Do you know what the people say?
I plucked from the garden
Of wretched beliefs
I offer a rose
And smile with harmless teeth
Then slick back my hair,
Alone in the garden
Like lumbering giants
In a shameful parade
We came to ruin all
And make a rotten trade
Make you roll over
So roll over
Get over
Scattered on the shore
Slowly washed away
Feeling somewhat deserving
Of what will be someday
Now I can never stay melancholy
For the memory of your face
Now I can never stay melancholy
For long
Before I move on
We're unwanted strangers
Exploited and dangerous
Unable to hide
Or even dream of it
Como estas?
Parting the seas
We're lepers who stroll
Why you afraid sweetie?
I slick back my hair
You know the devil's in there
So keep one eye open baby
We're so easy to spot
Lepers riding atop
Pachyderms full of germs
Elephants broken and screaming and oh
Roll over
Are we coming over?
Scattered on the shore
Slowly washed away
Scattered on the shore
Slowly washed away
Away, away
Feeling somewhat deserving
Of what will be someday
Now I can never stay melancholy
For the memory of your face
All alone in the garden
Of long lost hopeful plans
Now I can never stay anything
For long
So come on
Move
Roll over
Are we coming over?
Get it on
These lyrics from Them Crooked Vultures' song Elephants, are constructed around the theme of human beings who are perceived as monsters and lepers, yet through the use of slick hair and friendly gestures, they can disguise their evil nature. The opening stanzas paint a picture of beings who are cast out of society, with the line "we're painted as monsters", and the use of words like "wretched beliefs," suggesting that these beings are devoid of morals and values. The lyrics then describe the actions of these beings as they try to fit in; slicking back their hair, offering roses, and smiling with "harmless teeth." The line "Now I can never stay melancholy for long" seems to imply that these beings are only acting friendly to lure their victims in, which is why they can't stay in that emotional state for long.
The lyrics then turn to a sort of call-and-response format, as the beings ask "Roll over? Are we coming over?" This is an interesting line because it's unclear who or what they're addressing. It could be interpreted as a request to move on from their current situation or a call to their victims to submit to their power. The final stanzas return to the theme of being cast out from society, with lines like "We're unwanted strangers" and "unable to hide." There is also reference made to elephants, representing something big and lumbering that is there to ruin everything. The song ends with a final call to "get it on," which could be interpreted as a final call to action before the beings go out to wreak havoc.
Line by Line Meaning
We're painted as monsters
People perceive us as immoral and wicked individuals
Borracho, cansado
Drunk and tired
Do you know what the people say?
Do you understand what others think and say about us?
I plucked from the garden
I extracted from the source
Of wretched beliefs
That originate from wicked and undesirable ideas
I offer a rose
I present a token of affection
And smile with harmless teeth
And exude a non-threatening demeanor
Then slick back my hair,
Then push my hair back
You know the devil's in there
You know that evil resides within me
Alone in the garden
By myself in the place of serenity and beauty
Like lumbering giants
Comparable to colossal beings
In a shameful parade
Associating with disgraceful characters
We came to ruin all
We arrived to vandalize everything
And make a rotten trade
And conduct a deceitful transaction
Make you roll over
Force you to submit or surrender
So roll over
Submit or surrender
Get over
Move on or surpass obstacles
Scattered on the shore
Dispersed on the beach
Slowly washed away
Gradually eroded by water
Feeling somewhat deserving
Experiencing a sense of entitlement
Of what will be someday
Of what will happen in the future
Now I can never stay melancholy
At present, I can't remain sad for long
For the memory of your face
Due to the recollection of your visage
Before I move on
Before I progress
We're unwanted strangers
We're strangers that nobody wants
Exploited and dangerous
Misused and perilous
Unable to hide
Incapable of concealing oneself
Or even dream of it
Or not even imagining it could be possible
Como estas?
How are you?
Parting the seas
Creating a path through obstacles
We're lepers who stroll
We're social outcasts who casually walk around
Why you afraid sweetie?
Why are you scared, darling?
So keep one eye open baby
So stay vigilant
We're so easy to spot
We're effortless to identify
Lepers riding atop
Social outcasts located on top of something
Pachyderms full of germs
Elephants that contain dangerous microorganisms
Elephants broken and screaming and oh
Elephants in pain and agony
Roll over
Surrender or submit
Are we coming over?
Are we arriving at your location?
All alone in the garden
Completely by myself in the peaceful and beautiful location
Of long lost hopeful plans
Of dreams that I've forgotten or lost over time
Now I can never stay anything
At this moment, I can't remain stagnant for long
For long
For an extended period of time
So come on
Let's go or hurry up
Move
Go or proceed
Get it on
Let's do it or commence the action
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN BALDWIN, JOSH HOMME, DAVID GROHL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind