Since Women's dissolution, the mem… Read Full Bio ↴Viet Cong are now Preoccupations.
Since Women's dissolution, the members of the Calgary band have gone on to form various projects, and this includes Viet Cong. Formed in 2012 The group features Matt Flegel and Mike Wallace from Women, along with Daniel Christiansen from Sharp Ends and Scott Munro from Lab Coast/Reuben and the Dark.
Following a scattering of live shows, their debut EP "Cassette" was released in 2013. The songs bear some resemblance to Women, with sounds ranging from the atmospheric psych folk of "Static Wall" to the jangling haze of "Unconscious Melody," the garage-y bounce of "Throw It Away," the jagged experimentalism of "Structureless Design" and the moody sprawl of "Select Your Drone." In 2015, Viet Cong released their eponymous debut album.
Throw It Away
Viet Cong Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fill them up so that they might overflow
In a familiar way
So timid ashamed and awkward
Time and solitude yield and break apart
Into the end of the day
Throw it away
Throw it away
Throw it away
Diagnosed with isolation
There's no above and there is no below
Hallucinogenic failure
If you ever end up somewhere
Don't forget to say who sent you there
On your collapsable wheel
In "Throw It Away" by Viet Cong, the singer seems to be struggling with feelings of emptiness and isolation. The metaphor of "bottles on the table" emphasizes this sense of emptiness and serves as a call to action to "fill them up so that they might overflow." The desire to feel something, even if it's overwhelming, is further emphasized by the line "in a familiar way." The next few lines suggest that the singer is experiencing some kind of personal growth or transformation ("time and solitude yield and break apart") despite feeling unsure and awkward.
The repeated refrain of "Throw it away" seems to suggest a desire to let go of whatever is holding the singer back or causing them pain. The lyric "diagnosed with isolation" adds another layer to the singer's struggles, indicating that these feelings are not just fleeting emotions but a more consistent state of being. The lines "there's no above and there is no below" and "hallucinogenic failure" suggest a disconnection from reality and the destabilizing effects of mental health struggles.
The final lines provide a sense of ambiguity and mysteriousness, with the singer warning an unidentified "you" not to forget who sent them "on your collapsable wheel." This image adds to the feeling of unease and uncertainty that permeate the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Bottles on the table feel too empty
The empty bottles on the table are a reminder of the emptiness felt inside.
Fill them up so that they might overflow
Fill the bottles up in attempt to fill the emptiness, hoping for an overflow of satisfaction.
In a familiar way
The routine of filling the bottles has become a familiar and accepted habit.
So timid ashamed and awkward
The feeling of shame and awkwardness over the dependency on alcohol is felt, causing timidity.
Time and solitude yield and break apart
The passing time and loneliness eventually break down the individual.
Into the end of the day
As the day ends, so does their hope for happiness.
Throw it away
The solution is to throw away the bottles and the dependency on alcohol.
Throw it away
Throw away the desire to numb the pain and face it head on.
Throw it away
Get rid of the crutch that is holding them back.
Throw it away
Release the addiction and move forward.
Diagnosed with isolation
The feeling of being isolated is identified as the source of the problem.
There's no above and there is no below
The sense of direction is lost, everything seems disconnected.
Hallucinogenic failure
The hopelessness of the situation feels like a hallucination.
If you ever end up somewhere
If one finds themselves in a difficult situation.
Don't forget to say who sent you there
Take responsibility for yourself and the choices you have made.
On your collapsable wheel
On the path one chooses, with the risk of it all falling apart.
Contributed by Michael H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Third Dimensional Being
there was also a band named the child molesters in the 1960s. I know it's a topic that's been beaten to death, but I still can't believe they felt they had to change their name.
Trynottoblink
Just realized the melody for the verses sounds borrowed from Lady Godiva's Operation by the VU.
queeneggplant
they sound like The Jam a bit
Birch Mahogany
The people who raised a fuss about their name. What a joke.
Will Hush
Roadrunner Roadrunner
Gabriel Bruza
Roadrunner
Steph
Awful album cover, awful band name but GREAT music.
Birch Mahogany
Viet Cong is an awesome name for a band.
Aslan De Lyon
Should call themselves Vee@Kong.
patatagiratoria
+Adam Burgess Im not sure if they are girls or trans...anyway great cover