"James Joyce on drums" exclaimed David Byrne on seeing Adrian Huge at work with the Tiger Lillies. Adrian has worked in butchers, pie shops, banks, motorcycle shops, and as a ham-fisted-but-cheap car mechanic before co-founding, in 1982, Dover's only surreal, theatrical jazz/punk/calypso comedy ensemble : Uncle Lumpy and the Fish Doctors. The group floundered shortly after arriving in London in 1989 which coincided with the formation of The Tiger Lillies and the start of his bashing ever smaller, re-cycled drums, toys and kitchen-ware.
The man that once turned up to gig in the Czech Republic expecting to find a drum kit waiting for him only to discover a pile of freshly polished kitchen utensils instead. This did not deter him for a second as he went on to deliver an amazing performance that night armed only with pots, pans and spatulas. With his usual drum kit looking like a cross between a modern sculpture and a childrens toy shop its all in a days work for Adrian.
Adrian Stout - Contra Bass, Musical Saw, Theremin, Vocals.
Adrian Stout had played Blues, Jazz, Country, and other primitive musical forms in various known and lesser known bands throughout the UK, Europe and as far afield as India, and recorded two albums for Blues diva Dana Gillespie before being co-opted by The Tiger Lillies for 1995's Edinburgh Festival. This once serious musician has since then found himself dancing in leider hosen, making love to inflatable sheep and dressing as a cheap prostitute. He designed and maintains both the Tiger Lillies and Shockheaded Peter websites.
In 2007 he released a cd with cult icon Sexton Ming called "A Taste of Wood" on their own Crapping Clown label. He co-wrote all the songs with Sexton and recorded, mixed, produced and mastered the cd. Click here to buy "A Taste of Wood". He also toured and played bass on 2 albums for Stuart A Staples/Tindersticks, 'Lucky Dog Recordings 03-04' and 'Leaving Songs'.
Suicide
Tiger Lillies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I stuck my head in an oven but the oven wasn't gas.
So then I thought I'll take some pills, I bought the wrong ones.
All I got was diarrhea and it ran and it ran and it ran.
Suicide, suicide, that's the one for me.
I want to be a legend so suicide's for me.
The Tiger Lillies are known for their dark and twisted sense of humor, and this song is no exception. "Suicide" is a satirical take on the morbid fascination with taking one's own life. The lyrics are sung in a cheerful, almost whimsical tone, which creates an eerie contrast with the subject matter.
The first verse sees the singer trying to commit suicide by sticking their head in an oven, only to find that it's an electric oven and therefore won't work. The second verse has the singer trying to take some pills, only to realize that they've bought the wrong kind and end up with a bad case of diarrhea instead. The chorus, "Suicide, suicide, that's the one for me," is an ironic statement of intent, as the singer seems not to have much success in their attempts.
The use of humor to deal with serious issues is a trademark of the Tiger Lillies' style. By presenting suicide in such a lighthearted way, the song invites the listener to question why we find such a taboo topic funny, and what it says about our attitudes towards mental health.
Line by Line Meaning
I thought I'd try suicide, I thought it might be a laugh.
The singer contemplated suicide as a humorous, trivial endeavor and didn't take it seriously.
I stuck my head in an oven but the oven wasn't gas.
The singer attempted suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning, but failed due to an improper setup.
So then I thought I'll take some pills, I bought the wrong ones.
The singer then attempted to overdose on drugs, but accidentally purchased the wrong medication.
All I got was diarrhea and it ran and it ran and it ran.
The artist's failed suicide attempt resulted in a medical issue that caused them to have diarrhea for an extended period of time.
Suicide, suicide, that's the one for me.
The artist believes that suicide is their ultimate destiny and the only way to become a legend.
I want to be a legend so suicide's for me.
The singer desires fame and believes that the act of suicide will bring them the notoriety they desire.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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