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cellar_door
- FB Fan -
Canada
74 Posts |
 Posted - 01/04/2007 : 09:00:51
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Man I never bothered to actually read the lyrics to this one. Haha After 8 years (I guess since FBTC was released), I'm laughing so hard at that line. I couldn't figure out that FB was actually saying "P-L-1"
Haha for any non computer nerds on here, PL1 is an old 60's computer language, I'm pretty sure IMB made it. Man that whole verse is classic:
I`m drinking antiknock
I do a mantra and I know PL 1
I do the ragnarock
I`m just a monster not a proto human
lol antiknock is something you use in your engine, but I'm not a big chemistry guy. I had to google ragnarock, some music lable from what I gather. ahha man every time I listen to this song now I'm going to laugh at that part.
I was a hawk and I just flew...yeah
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Cult_Of_Frank
= Black Noise Maker =
Canada
11674 Posts |
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cellar_door
- FB Fan -
Canada
74 Posts |
Posted - 01/04/2007 : 09:18:45
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ah but it's not all there ! antiknock isn't for example :)
I was a hawk and I just flew...yeah
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cellar_door
- FB Fan -
Canada
74 Posts |
Posted - 01/04/2007 : 09:19:29
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hey but thanks for the link btw
I was a hawk and I just flew...yeah
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danjersey
> Teenager of the Year <
USA
2787 Posts |
Posted - 01/04/2007 : 20:07:36
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anti knock is how the sales pitch went for tv on engine oil.
some guy with a mustache. |
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frank_black_francis
= Cult of Ray =
Canada
895 Posts |
Posted - 01/05/2007 : 03:58:26
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| Honestly, one of my favorite FB tunes...by the way. Its nice to see that he's been playing it live recently. |
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s_wrenn
* Dog in the Sand *
Ireland
1851 Posts |
Posted - 01/05/2007 : 05:15:45
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I'm going to get "Yo Soy Un Pistolero" printed on a t-shirt (In Pistolero-esque font), now, after hearing Living On Soul, i think i'll get "I know PL1" done too.
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Jason
* Dog in the Sand *
1446 Posts |
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Sam
= Cult of Ray =
Ireland
511 Posts |
Posted - 01/06/2007 : 07:48:31
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| This is now one of my all time FB faves too, lyrics kick ass and great tune live / record version. The john peel session version is a stomper as well. |
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Someone
- FB Fan -
94 Posts |
Posted - 01/08/2007 : 06:10:44
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| hmmm. very interesting. but those definitions still don't really help me understand what he is singing about, the general theme of the song. |
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Cult_Of_Frank
= Black Noise Maker =
Canada
11674 Posts |
Posted - 01/08/2007 : 06:35:42
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quote:
Originally posted by Cult_Of_Frank
Heh, why don't you use the Discopedia? All that stuff is in there.
http://www.frankblack.net/songs/Default.asp?menu=none&mode=release-song-details&releaseID=214&songID=152
 "Now you're officially my woman. Kudos. I can't say I don't envy you."
If the Ragnarok is about the apocalypse - some final battle with the monsters (which the character in this song represents, though he denies it) to our mutual doom - bursting like you're bikini atoll is probably referencing the nuclear testing done there, PL/1 is a programming language that would've been used in doing those tests, doesn't it seem like it could be about blowing the snot out of ourselves?
"Now you're officially my woman. Kudos. I can't say I don't envy you." |
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speedy_m
= Frankofile =
Canada
3581 Posts |
Posted - 01/08/2007 : 06:55:59
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Interesting thing about the Rangnarok (according to the Wiki): the mythic beats that fight at the end of the world know their fate. They are aware of the inevitable "apocalypse", the roles they will, who they will fight and how they will die, yet the do it anyway. Kind of like man creaing the atom bomb, and thus giving us the power literally (as far as our species is concerned), end the world. We are aware of our fate, yet our "mantra", as it were, is that while this is technically possible, will never really happen. Our collective state of denial could (will?) lead to our inevitable end, prescribed by the fates, valiently fighting to the end like the Rangnarok.
maybe I'll kick it
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cellar_door
- FB Fan -
Canada
74 Posts |
Posted - 01/08/2007 : 11:31:38
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"hmmm. very interesting. but those definitions still don't really help me understand what he is singing about, the general theme of the song."
I'd like to think that a lot of FB tunes can't be looked at as a whole in terms of themes. This one would be right up there. the bikini atol-atomize theme is one part. I think the whole
"I`m drinking antiknock
I do a mantra and I know PL 1
I do the ragnarock
I`m just a monster not a proto human"
Is just Frank having fun with words. Creating some kind of deviant guy. There's much more of a theme in the rest of the song, but I can't crack it really. I'd have to look a few things up.
I was a hawk and I just flew...yeah
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Jason
* Dog in the Sand *
1446 Posts |
Posted - 01/08/2007 : 13:43:21
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"Living on Soul" seems to be from the point of view of a machine (maybe even partly from an animal and maybe even partly from primitive man commenting on modern man).
The first verse seems to be a comment on mankind. Mankind isn't all bad ("he got heart and he do mighty works") and, for some reason, the narrator draws a line connecting modern man to primitive man ("new loin cloth").
The chorus then refers to man-made methods of mass destruction.
The second verse seems to relate to what speedy_m says above about mankind being "aware of the inevitable 'apocalypse', the roles they will, who they will fight and how they will die, yet the do it anyway." The "Charlie on the MTA" bit. Mankind is on this path of destruction and can't get off.
I have no clue what's going on in the bridge. The stuff about elevating your mind (but not being able to stand the view) and the "hallucinate" line makes me think of drugs, but I don't know what that has to do with anything above.
The last verse ("drinking anti-knock") is likely from the point of view of a machine. Maybe an old computer or an old bomb. I don't know. "Anti-knock" is an additive in gasoline. If the narrator knows PL1, it might be a machine built in the 60s. The "ragnarok" line seems, to me, to indicate the narrator is a tool in or of destuction.
Or maybe it's all some weird relationship metaphor. Whatever. It's a great song. Back when you had to pay import prices for most singles (well, if you lived in America, that is), Frank's singles were always worth that $10, $12. |
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Cult_Of_Frank
= Black Noise Maker =
Canada
11674 Posts |
Posted - 01/08/2007 : 13:52:59
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See, that's a pretty interesting crackpot theory. This sort of stuff belongs in the podcast. I like how you tied in Charlie. As for the elevating the mind in reference to your theory, I'd venture he's saying that as he gets wiser he sees the folly of man moreso and can't stand it.
"Now you're officially my woman. Kudos. I can't say I don't envy you." |
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coastline
> Teenager of the Year <
USA
3111 Posts |
Posted - 01/08/2007 : 13:53:53
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For what it's worth, I just added a line about this song in the Wikipedia entry for "The MTA Song," which is what FB is referencing in the second verse:
You can't get off your stop
Like old Charlie on the MTA
Though you were so chop-chop
You're solely sorry that you cannot pay
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_MTA_Song#Popular_culture
 And aren't you havin' fun? |
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speedy_m
= Frankofile =
Canada
3581 Posts |
Posted - 01/08/2007 : 13:58:46
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Perhaps the elevation of the mind is a reference (along with PL-1) of man's continued evolution and abilites, his "mighty works", but when we get up there we can't stand the view. We tear it all down.
maybe I'll kick it
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Cult_Of_Frank
= Black Noise Maker =
Canada
11674 Posts |
Posted - 01/08/2007 : 14:33:40
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Hmmm... also good. Probably better.
Threads like this are the reason I love FB.
"Now you're officially my woman. Kudos. I can't say I don't envy you." |
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The Holiday Son
= Quote Accumulator =
France
1994 Posts |
Posted - 01/08/2007 : 15:05:00
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Insanely good song (the best non album fb track besides Annoucement) with awesome lyrics.
I've been quite obsessed with it actually in the last weeks and all this makes me wanna listen to it even more ! |
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remig
* Dog in the Sand *
France
1734 Posts |
Posted - 01/08/2007 : 15:37:05
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quote:
Originally posted by The Holiday Son
I (the best non album fb track besides Annoucement)
Didn't you want to write Pan Americn Highway? |
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floop
= Wannabe Volunteer =
Mexico
15297 Posts |
Posted - 01/08/2007 : 21:37:58
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| good threaad |
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danjersey
> Teenager of the Year <
USA
2787 Posts |
Posted - 01/08/2007 : 22:28:14
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loin cloth and christ
lennon and sloth
(laying around and all)
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two reelers
* Dog in the Sand *
Austria
1018 Posts |
Posted - 01/09/2007 : 10:15:19
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does the phrase "livin on soul" have some meaning in the english language ? it may be a key to the song. or not.
I joined the cult of Souled American / 'cause they are a damn' fine band |
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Jason
* Dog in the Sand *
1446 Posts |
Posted - 01/09/2007 : 10:24:42
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quote:
Originally posted by two reelers
does the phrase "livin on soul" have some meaning in the english language ? it may be a key to the song. or not.
Not that I can think of.
The chorus of the song talks about "your person will be bursting" and "they're gonna atomize you". Destruction of the body. And I guess the narrator of the song believes (or is appealing to the belief of the person they're singing to) that when/if one is physically destroyed, the soul will live on. Living on soul. |
Edited by - Jason on 01/09/2007 10:32:41 |
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fbc
-= Modulator =-
United Kingdom
4903 Posts |
Posted - 01/09/2007 : 11:04:21
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this thread's nearly as good as the song, cellar, but...
quote:
Originally posted by cellar_door
"I`m drinking antiknock
I do a mantra and I know PL 1
I do the ragnarock
I`m just a monster not a proto human"
he's not a monster just a proto human |
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cellar_door
- FB Fan -
Canada
74 Posts |
Posted - 01/09/2007 : 12:37:04
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I want to be a proto human :(
I was a hawk and I just flew...yeah
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fbc
-= Modulator =-
United Kingdom
4903 Posts |
Posted - 01/09/2007 : 13:32:39
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| I'd miss pizza too much |
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fumanbru
* Dog in the Sand *
Canada
1461 Posts |
Posted - 01/09/2007 : 16:53:43
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quote:
Originally posted by Jason
The chorus of the song talks about "your person will be bursting" and "they're gonna atomize you". Destruction of the body. And I guess the narrator of the song believes (or is appealing to the belief of the person they're singing to) that when/if one is physically destroyed, the soul will live on. Living on soul.
i really like that idea.
in regards to ragnarok and the giants... i wonder if that relates to the cover artwork for the all my ghosts ep that includes living on soul.
 "I joined the Cult of Frank/ cause I'm a real go-getter!" |
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two reelers
* Dog in the Sand *
Austria
1018 Posts |
Posted - 01/10/2007 : 00:18:21
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quote:
Originally posted by Jason
quote:
Originally posted by two reelers
does the phrase "livin on soul" have some meaning in the english language ? it may be a key to the song. or not.
Not that I can think of.
The chorus of the song talks about "your person will be bursting" and "they're gonna atomize you". Destruction of the body. And I guess the narrator of the song believes (or is appealing to the belief of the person they're singing to) that when/if one is physically destroyed, the soul will live on. Living on soul.
oh well. that seems to make some sense.
I joined the cult of Souled American / 'cause they are a damn' fine band |
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Philomath
- FB Fan -
23 Posts |
Posted - 01/18/2007 : 08:06:44
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"in regards to ragnarok and the giants... i wonder if that relates to the cover artwork for the all my ghosts ep that includes living on soul."
It is from 12th century France when the fear of the Mongols and Chingis Khan was ravaging through the western world, so they depicted them as a giant with no head and with their face on their body.
How terrible is wisdom when it gives no pleasure to the wise |
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Brank_Flack
= Cult of Ray =
Canada
910 Posts |
Posted - 01/25/2007 : 16:34:14
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| they should have used that as the FB&TC cover, the one they have now is one of the worst album covers ever |
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BLT
> Teenager of the Year <
South Sandwich Islands
4204 Posts |
Posted - 01/25/2007 : 16:56:03
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I thought it was "rad na rock"... named after the Thai noodle dish.
 "Man, you come right out of a comic book." |
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Lokikun
- FB Fan -
Canada
9 Posts |
Posted - 01/26/2007 : 15:48:14
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One question that I'd like to raise for discussion is about the line 'I do a mantra and I know PL-1'. This could have two very differant meanings.
1) I do a mantra and (as a result of it) I know PL-1
or
2) I do a mantra and (also) I know PL-1
Interpretation of #1 would imply that this knowledge is granted by some higher power. Looking deeper into it, it suggests (In a very Augustinian way) that knowledge is ONLY granted by divine revelation. Keeping with the theme of the Ragnarok, this would imply that the gods are leading us to our ultimate destruction one small step at a time, yet we don't see it as such. The fact that we 'do a mantra', or pray, or meditate to these beings shows that we have love/respect/etc in regard to these entites, yet the feeling is not mutual.
Interpretation of #2 makes me think of Robertson Davies' 'A Few Kind Words For Superstition' which explores why supposedly learn-ed people continue to be irrational in their beliefs. It could imply that we know that our actions could (or perhaps even will) lead us to our destruction, yet we (irrationally) behave in ways that bring us still closer to the edge.
In terms of 'drinking antiknock', someone touched on the fact that it's a gasoline additive...It's also highly toxic. It brings to mind Socrates being sentenced to die by way of drinking Hemlock. It's well accepted that he could have -easily- escaped this in any number of ways, but chose instead to accept his fate. And what of poor 'Charlie on the MTA'? In the song referenced, Charlie's wife brings him a sandwich each day as he reaches a certain stop. She could have just as easily brought him the nickle needed to get off the train, or he could have even just jumped the gates and accepted a slap on the wrist. It's this idea that we're on a path that we could easily change, yet for whatever reason, we choose to resign ourselves to the ultimate outcome.
Thoughts?
-Wes
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Triakel
- FB Fan -
119 Posts |
Posted - 02/10/2007 : 08:59:18
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"I`m drinking antiknock
I do a mantra and I know PL 1
I do the ragnarock
I`m just a monster not a proto human"
This is one of my favorite Frank verses, and the one I'm most likely to shout along with in the car. It's funny and opaque and cool and portenteous. Just the way I like it.
I'm not sure about meanings of the verses. I've long been puzzled by the "lucky sevens/grandmother's curse" line. Must not be reading the right books or watching the right movies. The line reminds me of some mythology that I can't quite remember. Sumerian? Don't quote me, but I think the mother of the creator god curses her netherworld grandson for creating a "golem"-like creature from clay. Something mindless and lifeless (the gods were trying to imitate the creator and failing). An abomination. That doesn't exactly fit the song, but that's what comes to mind. Considering that the Elohim (giants) from the Bible made it into "All My Ghosts," this might ot be a completely wrongheaded interpretation.
The song's bridge shifts meaning for me when I hear it. Is it a machine offering its perspective on humans? "You wanted this knowledge (of destruction), but you can't handle it. You wanted me to have knowledge, but I can't handle it. I resent you for making me try."
Crazy ideas:
The song is written from the perspective of a 1960s-era computer/ missile launching system (real or as imagined in sci-fi from the era)that has just reached a state of consciousness and is aware of its creators' history, intentions and destiny. It also understands its role in the narrative -- whether or not it "believes" in old myths like Ragnarok, it understands the essential truth of the myths -- that it is an abomination that will bring about the end of mankind.
I've heard Frank sing the line "I'm not a monster just a protohuman" as "I'm just a monster not a protohuman." Works both ways in this context. The first way, it could be a be a consciousness that will supercede humanity (common theme in sci-fi)-- "I'm gonna atomize YOU" (not US). The second way, it's the abomination thing again.
My brother is reading a Russian author named Andrei Sitchin, who fits into the Immanuel Velikovsky realm of trying to prove that ancient myths are interpretations of real events. I don't buy the arguments, but it's very interesting to listen to a song like this after being exposed to the writing.
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coastline
> Teenager of the Year <
USA
3111 Posts |
Posted - 03/09/2007 : 15:05:28
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If ever there were a time I'd want The Man to step in and help out, this is it. This is is one of the all-time great threads, and I'd really love to know if any of it's even close to right. Since Jason's brilliant post about the song being sung from a machine's point of view, I've been listening to it that way, but have made absolutely no headway on the meaning of any of it. Fascinating song, nonetheless.
 Please pardon me, for these my wrongs. |
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2Strings
- FB Fan -
United Kingdom
50 Posts |
Posted - 03/09/2007 : 15:20:05
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I don't have a 'favourite' FB song but i absolutely love this track, i am so happy to see that you guys feel the same about it. It really has an amazingly surreal vibe to it, and reading some of the interpretations here, it becomes even stranger. This thread has really made me appreciate the song in a new light, great job picking over the lyrics :)
EDIT: Not sure if this could have any relation to the 'lucky seven's' line http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/seven.shtml, i can't see how it fits but it's just a thought. I think it is probably just a reference to superstition in general. |
Edited by - 2Strings on 03/09/2007 15:42:23 |
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I do a 
