Zodiac Mindwarp and the Love Reaction play an ultra sleazy style of commercial hard rock featuring big riffs and big choruses, as was the trend in the band’s heyday of the mid-to-late 80s and early 90s. The outrageously camp lyrics are intended as self-parody, and can be seen as either humorous (by those who "get the joke") or offensive (by those who take them at face value) for their often lascivious and misogynist tone. Song titles like "Back Seat Education," "Feed My Frankenstein," "High Heeled Heaven" and "Trash Madonna" illustrate Zodiac’s tongue-in-cheek approach. Lyrical content also exhibits a send up of cult worship, often of Zodiac Mindwarp’s self proclaimed raging libido, with the frontman claiming the titles of "sex führer," "love dictator" and "high priest of love." Songs such as "Holy Gasoline," "President of the United States of Love," "Messianic Reprise," "Planet Girl" and "Elvis Died for You" are similarly inclined.
The video for the band's track "Prime Mover" was directed by Comic Strip actor/comedian Adrian Edmonson. Featuring explosions, scantily-clad young women and the band as alien invaders it immaculately captured the band's nasty, posturing style.
Occasionally referred to as "biker rock," the band’s style of hard rock is reflected in their outlandish attire, which tends to parody the post-apocalyptic "Mad Max" biker look. However, they have adopted a more common "street look" in recent years.
Zodiac co-wrote the track "There's a Barbarian in the Back of My Car" on the Voice of the Beehive album Let It Bee. He also co-wrote the track "Feed My Frankenstein" which appeared on the Alice Cooper album Hey Stoopid. Zodiac Mindwarp and The Love Reaction recorded their own version of the song which appeared on the album Hoodlum Thunder.
In 1992 Zodiac appeared on the album 456 by The Grid, singing lead vocals on the album's final track "Fire Engine Red." Love Reaction guitarist Cobalt Stargazer also appeared on the same album, performing on the tracks "Face The Sun" and "Leave Your Body".
In recent years Mark Manning has established himself as author penning books entitled Bad Wisdom (with Bill Drummond), Crucify Me Again, Get Your Cock Out, Fucked By Rock, Collateral Damage and The Wild Highway (again with Bill Drummond).
Elvis Died for You
Zodiac Mindwarp and the Love Reaction Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
died for all our sins,
the son of God its his killer flares,
sunglasses and sequins.
Well I believe there's poetry in the soul of every man,
in Fl-ll fighters and Roberto Duran,
there's poetry in the leather that he wears like big mack trunks,
theres poetry in the little pictures drawn on a million bucks.
IN HIS HEAVEN NAH
NAH NA NA HES WEARING BLUE SUEDE SHOES
NAH NAH NA NA GOD AIN'T IN HIS HEAVEN
NAH NAH NA NA AND ELVIS DIED FOR YOU.
There's poetry on the air babe,
sliding across the sky,
surfs right down on a radio wave and into my Hi Fi.
I believe there's poetry locked right up inside my skin,
tigers caged in the quantum zone and I here them sing.
Poetry howls like Ginsberg and raw plutonium,
everything is holy,
even the nuclear bomb.
NAH NAH NA NA GOD AIN'T IN HIS HEAVEN
NAH NAH NA NA HE'S WEARING BLUE SUEDE SHOES
NAH NAH NA NA GOD AIN'T IN HIS HEAVEN
NAH NAH NA NA AND ELVIS DIED FOR YOU.
Poetry's under pressure sealed in an aerosol can,
splattered all around on the ghetto walls and the skid row
Ma-Khayam's poetry dances on TV spins in the VCR.
Poetry's made in Scotland, they sell it behind the bar...
the presence of the divine in the mundane, kind of .
The lyrics of "Elvis Died for You" by Zodiac Mindwarp and the Love Reaction are full of poetic and metaphorical allusions to the idea that there is poetry and beauty in everything, even in the most unexpected places. The singer suggests that Elvis, who is often referred to as the King of Rock and Roll, died for all of humanity's sins, thus placing him in the role of a messiah figure. The song also references other icons of popular culture, like the Foo Fighters and boxer Roberto Duran, to suggest that even seemingly mundane things can contain poetry and meaning.
The chorus of the song repeats the refrain "God ain't in his heaven, and Elvis died for you," suggesting a kind of irreverence and subversion of traditional religious ideas. Instead, the song celebrates the idea that poetry and beauty can be found in unexpected places, like the "ghetto walls" on which poetry is splattered. The final lines of the song suggest that there is a divine presence in even the most mundane aspects of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Elvis went to heaven babe,
Elvis Presley, the iconic musician, has passed away and gone to heaven.
died for all our sins,
Elvis' music has had a profound impact on people's lives, serving almost as a tool of spiritual enlightenment.
the son of God its his killer flares,
Elvis' fashion and style was so unique and captivating that it almost seemed divine, like he was channeling the energy of God.
sunglasses and sequins.
Elvis' fashion sense included flamboyant and flashy items that were ahead of their time.
Well I believe there's poetry in the soul of every man,
The artist believes that every individual is capable of producing art and expressing themselves creatively.
in Fl-ll fighters and Roberto Duran,
Even tough and gritty individuals like boxers possess a certain elegance and beauty in their movements.
there's poetry in the leather that he wears like big mack trunks,
Even utilitarian clothing items like leather can be artistic and expressive in their own right.
theres poetry in the little pictures drawn on a million bucks.
Even the mundane and superficial things in life like currency can be used to make unique and creative expressions of art.
NAH NAH NA NA GOD AIN T
IN HIS HEAVEN NAH
The artist believes that even if there is a God, they are not actively involved in the events of the world.
NAH NA NA HES WEARING BLUE SUEDE SHOES
Elvis' iconography has become synonymous with his distinctive fashion, such as his blue suede shoes.
NAH NAH NA NA GOD AIN'T IN HIS HEAVEN
The artist remains skeptical about the existence of a God who interferes with human affairs.
NAH NAH NA NA AND ELVIS DIED FOR YOU.
The legacy and influence of Elvis' music has been significant enough to be considered as a spiritual force in the world.
There's poetry on the air babe,
Even intangible things like soundwaves can carry artistic expression and beauty.
sliding across the sky,
The movement of these soundwaves through the atmosphere is compared to a physical movement or event.
surfs right down on a radio wave and into my Hi Fi.
The artist uses technology to capture and experience these soundwaves, but acknowledges their inherent beauty and artistry.
I believe there's poetry locked right up inside my skin,
The artist believes that everyone possesses a creative spark or drive within themselves, as if it is intrinsic to their being.
tigers caged in the quantum zone and I here them sing.
The artist imagines this creative energy as being contained in a mystical, otherworldly realm, yet still accessible to human consciousness.
Poetry howls like Ginsberg and raw plutonium,
The artist compares the raw, unbridled power of artistic expression to a potent and destructive force like nuclear energy.
everything is holy,
The artist sees the world and all its inhabitants as being infused with a spiritual and artistic energy, regardless of their material wealth or social status.
even the nuclear bomb.
Even objects of destruction and violence can be seen through an artistic lens, as though they serve a greater purpose in the universe.
Poetry's under pressure sealed in an aerosol can,
Artistic expression can be found in unassuming and overlooked corners of the world, like graffiti on the side of a building.
splattered all around on the ghetto walls and the skid row
These expressions of art can carry significant cultural and social meaning in certain communities that are marginalized and oppressed.
Ma-Khayam's poetry dances on TV spins in the VCR.
Art can be immortalized and transmitted through technology, allowing it to endure and be accessible to future generations.
Poetry's made in Scotland, they sell it behind the bar...
Art and artistic expression comes in many forms and from many different cultures, yet its value remains consistent and worthy of celebration.
the presence of the divine in the mundane, kind of .
The artist sees artistic expression as being infused with spiritual significance, even in seemingly ordinary or mundane circumstances.
Contributed by Thomas R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@madelinecashmore3515
you can see where Rob Zombie got his inspiration
@stephenprice8742
I knew this video existed, searched for this track for years, thanks .
Saw this on 'Raw Power' back in the 90's a bit worse for wear after a heavy night out 🍺....
Thought I'd imagined it 💥🕶
Classic 👍
@woody5831
These were brilliant live saw them few times inc supporting Dr & the Medics..I still have this on promo white label single.
@juhakinnarinen7365
Amazing voice amazing band 💖
@MysteryVinyl
Brilliant - Chuck Berry on rocket fuel.
@sergesharp7436
Great video, not seen before, respect
@jiilaa_with_randomness
I bought the album when it came out, but never saw them live here in Finland... Great stuff, absolutely \,,/
@perforss8854
The bass and drums in this song is just solid as a rock!
@Lucy2086
Pastor Bob🤔😉
@markovisic7244
Ma ćao amighinho...