- Friedrich Nietzsche
If you don't know how Joe Fox feels about you or anything else for that matter, you haven't listened closely enough. He'll tell you anything you need to know with ease, albeit in a quiet, no-nonsense manner. You'll know if he loves you or not, what else he loves or hates, and why, if you listen. Joe Fox as you hear him now began about five years ago when he was twenty years old. His collection of instruments consists of guitars, bass, his voice, and a plethora of synthesizers and weird little boxes that hum, buzz and control each other. Given his love of bands like Air and Blonde Redhead, the variety of tools he chose to wield makes perfect sense.
Speaking of electronics: a synth has never sounded so expressive as it has in his songs. 'A' synth? No - I should comment upon the plurality of devices which you will hear....each, like a traveller from a unique, remote crevasse or wrinkle of the globe, stepping up and telling his or her part of the story. The guitars, too, add a sort of urgent narrative.... as if the flesh pressing tightly-wound metal against stained wood knows this isn't possible forever. His vocals, as well, speak with a contempt of his own humanity but a soaring love for all that makes him human. The traces of this human frailty you might pick up from his voice belie his knack for pronounced emotional clarity; you'll never be confused as to how to feel, if you really listen.
Inspired directly by a tragically intense best friend back in the school days, Joe became interested in writing & recording at the age of fourteen. His musical and thematic inspiration could safely be attributed to his family thus: his mother (a teacher of middle eastern music and dance and former pianist) and his father (well-versed in the blues) left many instruments available as precursory playthings to a developing musical personality. He was also most certainly influenced by his sister's musical tastes of the Reagan era, such as the Cure, Devo, & The Talking Heads. Speaking of influences, I feel as if I should mention this: Joe's music and friendship has made probably the most direct and personal effect upon my own tinkering with electronic music and home recording that I can recall.
What you might not find out, however, if your dialogue with him was a bit brief, is that he makes music. Praise be to the attenuation (or volume control) of modern and not-so-modern electronics. Whereas when in person you might be prone to lean in to catch every word, here ... a quick clockwise motion is all that's necessary. This is something you will want to do. You'll probably also feel like moving around quite a bit.
-Ryan Hampton
(for more info, music, photos, etc. go here: http://jfox.raygunarmy.com/)
Head Down Low
joe fox Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And when you're out creeping late in the evening
there's places you just don't go
Keep your head down low
Keep your head down low
So when you're out walking at 4 in the morning, there's places you just don't go
You lost it all in an alley way, a filthy debt but that's the price you pay
Shoulda kept your head down low
Keep your head down low
Keep your head down low
Keep your head down low
Keep your head down low
Keep your head down low
You lost it all in an alley way, a filthy debt but thats the price you pay
Shoulda kept your head down low
The lyrics to Joe Fox's song "Head Down Low" seem to be warning the listener about the dangers of wandering around late at night. The repeated phrase "keep your head down low" suggests that there are places and people to avoid in order to stay safe. The line "you lost it all in an alley way, a filthy debt but that's the price you pay" is a cautionary tale of someone who didn't heed the warning and ended up paying for it.
The theme of the song seems to be about the consequences of making bad choices, particularly when it comes to your safety. The lyrics suggest that there are places and people to avoid at night, and that this is something the listener needs to be constantly aware of. The phrase "head down low" could also be seen as a metaphor for being humble and cautious in life in general.
Overall, "Head Down Low" is a sobering and somewhat ominous song that reminds the listener to be careful and stay alert, particularly when it comes to navigating dangerous situations.
Line by Line Meaning
If your'e out walking at 4 in the morning, gotta keep you head down low
When you are out walking during odd hours, it is advisable to be cautious and remain low-profile.
And when you're out creeping late in the evening, there's places you just don't go
It is not safe to move around certain areas during late-night hours, and such places must be avoided at all costs.
Keep your head down low
Continuously keep a low profile as it helps in avoiding unwanted attention.
You lost it all in an alley way, a filthy debt but that's the price you pay
You might end up losing everything in shady or illegal dealings, and such losses come with a hefty price tag.
Shoulda kept your head down low
Not being careful and cautious can lead to severe consequences, which could have been avoided by maintaining a low-profile.
Writer(s): Oliver Joseph Fox-Williams
Contributed by Gabriel E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.