1) A mononym of Aurelio V… Read Full Bio ↴Voltaire is a name of at least three acts:
1) A mononym of Aurelio Voltaire Hernández (b. 1967, Havana, Cuba), a singer/songwriter whose music has its roots deeply embedded in European folk and also has influences from the gothic scene. He has also been directing commercials and animating short films for ten years, the best known of these are his Hieronymus Bosch-inspired station MTV IDs.
Inspired by the films of Ray Harryhausen (Jason and the Argonauts, The 7th Voyage of Sinbad), Voltaire began animating at the age of ten on a super8 camera. By piecing together snippets of information from fanzines, he eventually was able to teach himself how to make foam rubber animation models and animate them. The films of his childhood landed him his first directing job in 1988 with MTV. The stop-motion tour of the hellish Garden of Earthly Delights won several awards.
He also teaches stop-motion animation at the School of Visual Arts in New York City.
He also wrote the song "BRAINS!" for the Cartoon Network show "Grim and Evil" which has since split into two separate shows (The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy, Evil Con Carne) and the song can also be found on his album "Boo Hoo".
An avid fan of Star Trek, Voltaire frequently attends conventions and released a four track E.P. called "Banned on Vulcan". It was a set of comedy recordings poking fun at characters from the show.
He often takes part in Adventure Quest Worlds special musical events in which he is drawn incredibly well!
Discography:
The Devil's Bris (1998)
Almost Human (2000)
Boo Hoo (2002)
Then and Again (2004)
Ooky Spooky (2007)
To the Bottom of the Sea (2008)
Hate Lives in a Small Town (2010)
Riding a Black Unicorn Down the Side of an Erupting Volcano While Drinking from a Chalice Filled with the Laughter of Small Children (2011)
BiTrektual (2012)
Raised by Bats (2014)
Heart-Shaped Wound (2017)
What Are the Oddz? (2019)
The Black Labyrinth (TBD)
2) A German indie rock group from Bonn, too. They were founded in 2003 by Roland Meyer de Voltaire, who is the singer, songwriter and producer of the band. Their discography includes one EP and two albums, called "Heute ist jeder Tag" (2006) and "Das letzte bisschen Etikette" (2009).
Sites: Voltaire-Musik.De (official)
3) A Polish punk rock band who have released two albums.
4) An 18th-century French writer and philosopher, who might be scrobbled by people listening to audiobooks of his works.
The Headless Waltz
Voltaire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Which way the head will roll
Made in your image we are at least
As twisted and mean as thee
'Fore your eyes, what a curious site
Your children have turned on you
And you say, you don't sleep well at night
Well, we'll take care of that for you
Belle Marie Antoinette
"Love the pearls!"
They'll make a great tourniquet
Never did as you should and you claim
It was all for our veryown good
'Twas a lie, a magnificent lie
Now, your subjects have turned on you
And you claim you had lots on your mind
Well, we'll take care of that for you
:::Chorus:::V
Get that (this) damn thing off her (my) neck
I'm the head of the board now I'm bored of her (my) head
Sharpen up the blade boys, what are you waiting for?
Here's where we all get ahead!
Wipe that damn smile off your face
Or we'll lop it off clean with our new guillotine
Sharpen up the blade boys, what are you waiting for?
Here's where we all get ahead!
(Bells are now tolling, soon heads will be rolling)
:::
All my troubles, all my pain
Stems from this thing that you call a "brain"
Be my guest, sever me from the source
Of all my agony
What a shame, I've forgotten my name
Without the use of my brain and
"My, bet I'll sleep well tonight!"
Without this head of mine
:::Chorues, with the words in parentheses substituting the previous word or phrase:::
Please Sir, for me, Sir,
Won't you see if you see, Sir?
Oh dear, I dread
I seem to have lost my head
I think I left it about
It fell to the ground
And I kicked it around
Has anyone seen, no need to be mean,
My bloody, fat, ugly head?
Please Miss, for me, Sis,
Won't you see if you see, Sis
It's got black hair
And it's kickin' about in the square
I'm really not totally sure but
I think that it might have rolled into the sewer.
Has anyone seen, no need to be mean,
My bloody, fat, ugly head?
The opening lyrics of Voltaire's song, The Headless Waltz, suggest that there is a sense of balance or symmetry in the world, with the concept of "as above, so below". However, the next line immediately contradicts this notion, asking the listener to bet on the outcome of the decapitation. The song then goes on to highlight the twisted, cruel nature of humanity, likening it and its creations to the gods they worship. This is shown through the reference to Belle Marie Antoinette, who is known for her excess and lack of concern for the welfare of her subjects. The chorus then takes on a ominous tone, with the singer declaring themselves "head of the board" and ready to take control, as the "bells are tolling" and revolution is near. The song continues with a plea from the singer, to be relieved of the burden of their own thoughts, their "brain", which causes them pain and misery. The final verses reveal a detached, humorous tone as the singer searches for their own discarded head.
Voltaire's The Headless Waltz draws comparisons between the excess and cruelty of the past, symbolized by the court of Antoinette, and the ongoing issues of power, control, and cruelty in the present. The lyrics are evocative and paint vivid pictures, with the chorus taking on a creepy, macabre, yet danceable tone. The use of humor, such as the singer's search for their own missing head, gives the track a unique, quirky edge. The song's commentary on the nature of people, their need for control, and their willingness to use violence are themes that remain relevant to this day.
Line by Line Meaning
As above, so below, place your bets
The same twisted and corrupt nature seen in divine beings like gods is present in humanity, so let's gamble on how violently the people will turn on their leaders.
Which way the head will roll
Let's wager on how the people will condemn and dispose of those in power.
Made in your image we are at least
We embody and reflect the flaws and darkness inherent in the people and leaders who fashioned us.
As twisted and mean as thee
We are every bit as malicious and cruel as the powerful figures we oppose and fight against.
'Fore your eyes, what a curious site
It's fascinating how the people have rebelled and become the very thing they once despised and fought against in their leaders.
Your children have turned on you
The people have turned on the oppressive and abusive power structure they once obeyed and upheld.
And you say, you don't sleep well at night
The leaders who once enjoyed luxury and safety now fear for their lives and security.
Well, we'll take care of that for you
We'll make sure you never sleep again, and will face judgment and punishment for your mistreatment of the people.
Get that (this) damn thing off her (my) neck
Remove the symbol of oppressive power that keeps us chained and oppressed.
I'm the head of the board now I'm bored of her (my) head
I'm the new leader, and I'm tired of carrying the weight and responsibility of power.
Sharpen up the blade boys, what are you waiting for?
Preparation for the execution of those in power and the elimination of tyranny.
Here's where we all get ahead!
A play on words that suggest both gaining power and cutting off heads.
Wipe that damn smile off your face
We won't tolerate your smugness and arrogance in the face of the injustice and suffering you've caused.
Or we'll lop it off clean with our new guillotine
We'll use the brutal instrument that has symbolized the horrors of the French Revolution to exact revenge on our oppressors.
All my troubles, all my pain
The source of suffering and agony is the very thing that sets humans apart: our ability to think and reason.
Stems from this thing that you call a 'brain'
Our consciousness and cognitive abilities are what make us capable of suffering and thus, are the root cause of all pain.
Be my guest, sever me from the source
If death is the only escape from pain and suffering, then go ahead and take away the thing that causes it all.
Of all my agony
Because it is our ability to think and feel that causes us to experience emotional and mental torment.
What a shame, I've forgotten my name
Without our consciousness and rational mind, we lose our identity and sense of self.
Without the use of my brain and
To eliminate pain and suffering, we must relinquish the very thing that defines us as human.
'My, bet I'll sleep well tonight!'
Without consciousness and the ability to think and feel, one can no longer suffer and can thus attain a sense of peace.
Please Sir, for me, Sir, Won't you see if you see, Sir?
A whimsical jab at the absurdity of the power structures that allow for leaders to rule absolutely over the masses.
Oh dear, I dread, I seem to have lost my head
A lighthearted play on words that comments on the inevitability of death and the impermanence of life.
It fell to the ground and I kicked it around
Depicts the dehumanization and disrespect for life that can occur when the masses become violent and vengeful toward their former oppressors.
Has anyone seen, no need to be mean, My bloody, fat, ugly head?
Another comical twist on the violent revolution taking place, highlighting the ironic way in which humor arises in even the most gruesome and dramatic of situations.
Please Miss, for me, Sis, Won't you see if you see, Sis
Continuation of the earlier whimsical jab at the ridiculous nature of the power dynamics at play.
It's got black hair and it's kickin' about in the square
Further commenting on the dehumanization of those in power, showing how even their dead bodies can be reduced to mere objects.
I'm really not totally sure but I think that it might have rolled into the sewer
Shows how something as simple and mundane as a head can be elevated to the level of high drama and fascination in times of revolution.
Has anyone seen, no need to be mean, My bloody, fat, ugly head?
A final nod to the absurdity of the situation and the complexity of human emotions in situations of great change and upheaval.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind