Rundgren is well known among his fans as being an electronic music revolutionary. His skilled production techniques, matched by his belief that he has ability to play just about any instrument at a mastery level, has allowed him to release some of the most honest and personal music of his time. Many of his solo albums, including Something/Anything?]' were made completely by himself. That is, he played all the instruments, sang all the vocals, did all of the recording, editing, mixing, and mastering.
Website: http://www.tr-i.com/
Core discography:
With Nazz:
1968 - Nazz
1969 - Nazz Nazz
1970 - Nazz III
Solo:
1970 - Runt
1971 - Runt. The Ballad of Todd Rundgren
1972 - Something/Anything?
1973 - A Wizard, a True Star
1974 - Todd
1975 - Initiation
1976 - Faithful
1978 - Hermit of Mink Hollow
1978 - Back to the Bars (live)
1981 - Healing
1983 - The Ever Popular Tortured Artist Effect
1985 - A Cappella
1989 - Nearly Human
1991 - 2nd Wind
1993 - No World Order
1995 - The Individualist
1997 - With a Twist
1998 - Up Against It
2000 - One Long Year
2003 - Can't Stop Running (live box set)
2004 - Liars
2008 - Arena
2011 - Todd Rundgren's Johnson
2011 - (re)Production
2013 - State
2015 - Global
2015 - Runddans (collaboration with Emil Nikolaisen and Hans-Peter Lindstrøm)
2017 - White Knight
With Utopia:
1974 - Todd Rundgren's Utopia
1975 - Another Live
1976 (released 2001) - Disco Jets
1977 - Ra
1977 - Oops! Wrong Planet
1980 - Adventures in Utopia
1980 - Deface the Music
1982 - Swing to the Right
1982 - Utopia
1984 - Oblivion
1985 - P.O.V.
2003 - Last of the New Wave Riders (live box set)
Black Maria
Todd Rundgren Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I feel as though my heart stop dead
You're a liar, this I know
I watch you go around my head
Oh, I'm going down slow
You scare me so
Oh, you never let go
Gay deceiver, my eyes they burned
My insides turned, my brain it rolled
Unbeliever, but now I've learned
I took my turn, I come up cold
The opening lines to Todd Rundgren's Black Maria reflects the fear and uncertainty of one who is trapped in a toxic relationship that keeps them trapped in its claws. It is as though the person is constantly pursued by a dark, surreal entity - Black Maria - who makes their heart stop dead every time it approaches. The singer is tired of the lies, deceit, and falsehood which Black Maria brings with her. The singer cannot shake the feeling of doom and is trapped in a cycle, feeling as if the entity is circling around their head.
As the song progresses, Todd Rundgren unveils a narrative of a relationship gone bad, where the singer has been cheated, lied to, and is now left feeling cold and betrayed. The second stanza refers to this, with the singer describing the pain and hurt that has been inflicted upon them. He refers to Black Maria as a 'gay deceiver' who has caused their eyes to burn and their insides to turn. At the end of the stanza, the singer acknowledges that they have 'learned their lesson' and have come up cold.
In all, Black Maria describes the emotional turmoil that comes with a toxic relationship, and how it can leave its victim feeling trapped and hurt. Through its relatable lyrics, the song has found a place in the hearts of many who have gone through a similar experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Black Maria, you scare me so
The subject is intimidated by Black Maria.
I feel as though my heart stop dead
The subject's fear of Black Maria is so intense that it feels like their heart has stopped.
You're a liar, this I know
The subject recognizes that Black Maria is untruthful.
I watch you go around my head
The subject constantly thinks about Black Maria and their actions.
Oh, I'm going down slow
The subject feels like they are gradually losing control because of their fear of Black Maria.
You scare me so
This line repeats the subject's fear of Black Maria.
Oh, you never let go
Black Maria's influence over the subject is never-ending.
You scare me so
The subject reiterates their fear of Black Maria.
Gay deceiver, my eyes they burned
The subject recognizes that Black Maria is deceitful and it has caused them emotional pain.
My insides turned, my brain it rolled
The subject's physical and mental reaction to Black Maria's deceit was severe.
Unbeliever, but now I've learned
The subject used to have faith in Black Maria, but they now know better.
I took my turn, I come up cold
The subject trusted Black Maria at one point, but their faith was misplaced and they were left feeling emotionally numb.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: TODD RUNDGREN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jeff blazey
His transitioning from his guitar ripping at 3:45 back to the main theme is just beautiful. Well done sir! And still a classic!
Joseph Bauman
This whole album is a total masterpiece!
Smitty Werben Man Jensen
Ah, Todd Rundgren, bringing us such lyrical gems as, "If you must kill me, please let me die," since 1971.
John McCabe
Fifty years on and still loving it.
Greg Bassa
I have seen Todd in concert an amazing 56 times. Loved everyone of them. Todd for President.
Kayleen Prins
still here and listening in 2019... thank you for this gem, Todd!
Patrice Odom
1/27/2022 ❤
Sidney Mccollough
Considered a musical genius by everybody that knows anything about it.......
RZLAND
I was listening to a progressive radio station and this song came on. I hadn't heard it in years and it had the same effect on me as it did the last time. Pure rock and roll in my soul. Just excellent!!
Raellives
This continues to be a gem!