The quartet formed and began touring around the area in 1991. They began recording soon after and a local radio station began giving their song "Lost and Found" some air time. Dragon Street Records released Tripping Daisy's debut album Bill, a straight-ahead grunge-pop album except being characterized by overly processed vocals a la neo-psychedelia and a few very interesting transitions. All subsequent albums were released by Island Records; the album Bill was also re-released by Island. I Am an Elastic Firecracker lightened up on the vocal processors except when needed for effect. The arrangements were taken to a much more advanced level on this album, but fade in comparison to the improvements on their magnum opus Jesus Hits Like the Atom Bomb. Tim DeLaughter really found his niche as a vocalist and a songwriter on this album. Though minimalistic in some respects, the album is characterized by an interesting fragmentary songwriting style, where a song can go from one vignette to a completely different other, and still achieve a seamless quality. The production qualities of Eric Drew Feldman and the band are a marvel, as is the instrumentation and glorious harmonies.
Wes Berggren was found dead in his apartment on October 27, 1999, due to an overdose. With the death of Berggren the band canceled its tours and stopped recording, officially disbanding on December 14, 1999. Their final self-titled album was released posthumously with Berggren's father Don playing a Fender Rhodes on the unfinished
"Soothing Jubilee". Their eponymous album was a warm symphonic affair with more beautiful instrumentation and playful lyrics, which rounded up this wonderful rock group by including a new version of 'One Through Four', a song originally featured on 'Bill', and the re-recorded edition showed the progress they had made in 6 years.
RISE
Tripping Daisy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I could be black, I could be white
Your time has come your second skin
The cost so high, the gain so low
Walk through the valley
The written work is a lie
May the road rise with you
I could be wrong, I could be right
I could be black, I could be white
They put a hot wire to my head
'cause of the things I did and said
And made these feelings go away
Model citizen in every way
May the road rise with you
Anger is an energy
I could be wrong, I could be right
I could be black, I could be white
I could be right, I could be wrong
I could be black, I could be white
The lyrics to Tripping Daisy's song Rise are riddled with ambiguity, seemingly playing with the idea of identity and individuality. The repeated line "I could be wrong, I could be right, I could be black, I could be white" is particularly poignant in this sense because it suggests that the self is not something that can be easily defined or confined to a certain category. The lyrics then move on to the idea of shedding one's "second skin" – a metaphor for casting off societal expectations and norms that may be limiting to one's true self. The cost of this change is high, but the gain is low, hinting at the idea that following one's own path may not always be lucrative.
The verse "They put a hot wire to my head, 'cause of the things I did and said, and made these feelings go away, model citizen in every way" strongly implies a struggle against conformity and attempts at controlling or manipulating one's mind. This could refer to societal pressure or even government intervention, as seen in the mention of the "written work" being a lie. The final line "anger is an energy" could be interpreted as a rallying cry against these attempts at control, as anger can be a powerful motivator for change.
Overall, the lyrics of Rise challenge us to consider the fluidity of identity and the struggles that come with striving to be authentic in a society that often forces us into boxes. The idea of rising above these limitations and discovering true freedom is woven throughout the song.
Line by Line Meaning
I could be wrong, I could be right
There is a chance for uncertainty and mistakes in life.
I could be black, I could be white
Physical identity and belonging is subject to uncertain conditions.
Your time has come your second skin
You have an opportunity to reimagine yourself and take on a new identity.
The cost so high, the gain so low
The path to transformation is difficult and there may not be significant rewards.
Walk through the valley
Travel through a difficult, even dangerous situation.
The written work is a lie
The expected narrative is not accurate or truthful.
May the road rise with you
Wishing for good fortune and success on one's journey.
They put a hot wire to my head
Suffering through intense physical or psychological pain.
'cause of the things I did and said
Personal actions and words can have consequences.
And made these feelings go away
Attempting to suppress emotions or impulses.
Model citizen in every way
Trying to conform to societal norms and expectations.
Anger is an energy
Powerful emotions can be a source of motivation and fuel for action.
I could be right, I could be wrong
There are always possibilities for different outcomes or perspectives.
I could be black, I could be white
Racial identity is not a fixed or absolute concept.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: John Lydon, Bill Laswell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind