Drummer Victor DeLorenzo said that he would be open to recording new material with the Violent Femmes, but on July 15, 2013, it was announced that Dresden Dolls drummer Brian Viglione would be replacing DeLorenzo as the band's drummer. In a statement, DeLorenzo said "It's always hard to write a eulogy for a lost loved one. In this case, I sadly lament the loss of a dream and an ideal that was once Violent Femmes." Viglione is credited as the drummer on the 2016 release We Can Do Anything but would later be replaced by John Sparrow, who had played in the Violent Femmes backing band previously.
Their music is an innovative combination of American folk music and punk rock. The lyrics mix common adolescent themes like yearning for love, sex and affection with explorations of sin, death, and the hope of salvation. Their songs often express both a lyrical and musical sense of humor. Critics often attribute the Violent Femmes as laying the groundwork of dynamicism for the 90s grunge movement.
In its early days, the band frequently played coffee houses and street corners. They were discovered by James Honeyman-Scott (of The Pretenders) on August 23, 1981, when the band was busking on a street corner in front of the Oriental Theatre, the Milwaukee venue that The Pretenders would be playing later that night. Chrissie Hynde invited them to play a brief acoustic set after the opening act. The band signed to Slash Records and recorded their eponymous debut in July 1982.
The group quickly gained a small cult following after the release of their self-titled album that never burgeoned into widespread popularity, although a few songs from this album did get some recognition ("Add It Up", "Blister in the Sun" and "Gone Daddy Gone"). The debut album Violent Femmes went platinum ten years after its release, and "Blister in the Sun" has become an alternative rock radio staple.
Special
Violent Femmes Lyrics
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You smile because you know
You smile I told you so
c'mon gimme a smile---I'm gonna let you know
You're something special
Your momma don't lie
Your momma don't lie
Your papa don't lie
All of the good things
They said about you
THey said you were hot
Ooo I think it might be true
Special special what do you get
Another day older and deeper in debt
Special special what do you get
Another day older and deeper in debt
Get away from me
I'm gonna hurt somebody
Get away from me
I'm gonna hurt somebody
No, I don't really want to hurt nobody
But sometimes I just gotta hurt somebody
'Cause people are dangerous
And people are adventurous
And people are mysterious
And people are they're suspicious
Of somebody who' special
What's so special about him
What's so special
The song "Special" by Violent Femmes explores the theme of individuality and the tension that arises between those who are special and those who are not. The repeated phrase "You smile because you know" suggests that the singer is addressing someone who is aware of their own uniqueness and reveling in it. They are daring the person to smile and acknowledge their specialness, promising to let them know something in return. The lyrics then go on to affirm the special person's worth, with references to their parents not lying about their good qualities and rumors of their attractiveness. However, the chorus introduces a darker tone, with the repeated "Another day older and deeper in debt" suggesting that even special people are not immune to the struggles of everyday life. The final verse introduces a note of menace, with the singer acknowledging that they themselves are capable of hurting others when threatened by their specialness.
Overall, "Special" is a complex and provocative exploration of the nature of personal identity and the tensions that can arise between individuals of different levels of perceived specialness.
Line by Line Meaning
You smile because you know
You are acknowledging the fact that you are capable of understanding what I am saying, and this understanding is bringing a smile to your face.
You smile I told you so
Your smile is a gesture that indicates that you already knew what I was going to say and I'm confirming that you were right.
c'mon gimme a smile---I'm gonna let you know
I am asking you to smile and be cheerful, as I want to convey to you something important.
You're something special
You are a unique and extraordinary person with exceptional qualities, which set you apart from others.
Your momma don't lie
Your mother always speaks the truth and has never lied to you.
Your papa don't lie
Your father always speaks the truth and has never lied to you.
All of the good things They said about you They said you were hot Ooo I think it might be true
People have been talking positively about you, and I think they are all true as well. You deserve all the compliments for the exceptional qualities you possess.
Special special what do you get Another day older and deeper in debt Special special what do you get Another day older and deeper in debt
Despite being special, you are still subjected to the harsh realities of life, where every day you grow older and have more responsibilities to fulfill, thus ending up in debt.
Get away from me I'm gonna hurt somebody Get away from me I'm gonna hurt somebody No, I don't really want to hurt nobody But sometimes I just gotta hurt somebody
Occasionally, you feel irritated and frustrated, and you might want to lash out on others, but in reality, you don't want to hurt anyone.
'Cause people are dangerous And people are adventurous And people are mysterious And people are they're suspicious Of somebody who' special
People have a negative attitude towards someone who is special, as they may be considered dangerous, adventurous, and mysterious, arousing suspicion among others.
What's so special about him What's so special
People often question the uniqueness and special attributes of an individual, as they might not be able to comprehend it, which creates a sense of mystery.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: GORDON JAMES GANO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind