The band released five albums before going on an extended hiatus in 1997: "Green Eggs and Crack" (1987), "Son of Sam I Am" (1988), "Cereal Killers" (1991), "Mutiny" (1992) and "...finally" (1996). Their single "Donna Everywhere" from "Mutiny" was a #11 hit on the Billboard alternative chart in 1992.
In 2020, a new crowd sourced alum - Mistakes Were Made was released. In late 2021 another crowd funded album was announced with a project called 12 Months of Joy with backers receiving 1 or more tracks per month before the eventual full release.
Pirate
Too Much Joy Lyrics
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So I threw them all away
Time for some new ones anyway
I'd like to rob a bank
I'd like some help
I feel like I'm trapped in a book
About someone else
Tomorrow I'll be waiting here again
But the pirate in me
Is lost somewhere at sea
Somewhere at sea
Sometimes I want the world
Sometimes I want a girl
Right now all I want is a reason
Everyone thinks he's crazy
Everyone is right
Everyone should sleep with everyone tonight
I'm just sitting here waiting for a train
Tomorrow I'll be waiting here again
While the pirate in me
Is lost somewhere at sea
Somewhere at sea
I've got a beard
I've got a gold hoop in my ear
It's time to rape and pillage
Break the windows in this village
Everyone thinks he's crazy
Everyone should sleep with everyone tonight
I'm just sitting here waiting for a train
Tomorrow I'll be waiting here again
While the pirate in me
Is lost
I said the pirate in me
Is lost somewhere at sea
Somewhere at sea
The lyrics to Too Much Joy's song "Pirate" tell a story of a man who is tired of his mundane life, with his dirty clothes being thrown away and his desire to rob a bank with the help of someone. He feels trapped in a book about someone else, perhaps communicating his desire for something exciting or adventurous to happen in his life. The chorus speaks of a lost pirate at sea, highlighting perhaps the main theme of the song; the desire for freedom, adventure, and a way out of one's current situation.
The second verse talks about the singer's desires; sometimes he wants the world, sometimes a girl, but right now all he wants is a reason. This could be interpreted as him looking for purpose or meaning in his life, something to strive for. The following lines are a commentary on society, with everyone thinking he's crazy and everyone being right, and the suggestion that everyone should sleep with everyone else tonight. This could be seen as a reference to the hedonistic behavior society often promotes.
The chorus is repeated, emphasizing the idea of being lost at sea, again highlighting the desire for escape and freedom. The song ends with the singer's appearance, with him having a beard and gold hoop in his ear, and his desire to break windows in the village and rape and pillage. The song's lyrics could be interpreted as a commentary on one's desire for adventure, escape, and rebellion against the norm.
Line by Line Meaning
All my clothes were dirty
All of my clothes were soiled and in need of cleaning.
So I threw them all away
I discarded all of my dirty clothes instead of washing them.
Time for some new ones anyway
It is time for me to acquire some new clothes.
I'd like to rob a bank
I have a desire to commit a bank robbery.
I'd like some help
I need assistance for the aforementioned bank robbery.
I feel like I'm trapped in a book
I sense that my life is playing out according to the plot of a novel, and I have no control over the events therein.
About someone else
However, the character I am feeling trapped as is not myself, but another individual in the aforementioned novel.
Sometimes I want the world
Occasionally, I desire to possess the entire world.
Sometimes I want a girl
On other occasions, I have the desire for companionship with a female.
Right now all I want is a reason
At present, my ultimate desire is to have a clear purpose or motivation.
Everyone thinks he's crazy
People generally believe he is insane.
Everyone is right
Their assessment of his sanity is neither refutable nor deniable.
Everyone should sleep with everyone tonight
The individuals present should engage in sexual activities with each other this evening.
I've got a beard
Facial hair is present on my face.
I've got a gold hoop in my ear
A circular, decorative piercing is located on my ear, styled in a lustrous yellow color.
It's time to rape and pillage
It is time to violently rob and attack this village.
Break the windows in this village
Smash the glass panes located in the structures of this village.
While the pirate in me
The part of myself that resembles the brutality and lawlessness of a pirate.
Is lost somewhere at sea
It has vanished and has not been seen or felt for quite some time.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: SANDY SMALLENS, TIMOTHY BRUCE QUIRK, JAY HOWARD BLUMENFIELD, TOMMY VINTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind