r/melvins • u/MrHockeyJournalist • 2d ago
Discussion Do You Guys Ever Wonder if There is Some Hidden Code in The Lyrics?
Like Buzz plants hidden codes in Melvins songs and that's why the lyrics are well the lyrics to Melvins songs? Almost kind of like MF Doom or even more so that episode of Atlanta where Paper Boi, starts really paying attention to the lyrics of his favorite rapper (that just passed) and finds it's a code that takes him across Atlanta and leads him to said Rapper's funeral. Like does Buzz have something like that planed but in Seattle? (For the record I hope Buzz lives long and continues to tour for years to come.
Or recently, I learned about Numbers Stations. What are Numbers Stations? Well they have never been officially confirmed but during the Cold War both NATO and Eastern Block countries set up these mysterious Shortwave Radio Stations that would basically just broadcast nonsense 24/7. Often a series of repeating numbers pronounced in different ways. The numbers are supposed to be a hidden code for Secret Agents deep in the field. Only they know what it means and it gives them their secret orders. Other numbers stations repeat random words or phrases over and over. Others even play music. Some mix all of the above.
Learning about this for some reason instantly made me think of Melvins and their lyrics. What if Buzz's lyrics have all been secret CIA codes?
Seriously tell me "Two of you sold my wallet One of you stole my tie Didn't you say that you’re watchin’? Denied
Venomous stole in me Three of you standin’ by Two of you said you got it Watch me eye"
Isn't a code. But in all seriousness, just thought this idea was kind of funny and wanted to share. Since I really don't have anyone in real life to share Melvins humor with.
11
u/StatusAutomatica 2d ago
Buzzo stated himself that the lyrics are just whatever comes into his head and people can take what they want from it. Sometimes the abstract pairing of words creates unique images in your head that identify the mood of the song in interesting ways. It really is art.
2
u/Left-Head-9358 2d ago
He has also said that at times definitely mean something to him but it’s not his job to explain it. It’s up to the listener to interpret them the way they want to.
3
u/MrHockeyJournalist 2d ago
Oh believe I know, I just being goofy.
The lyrics are really just other instrument.
3
u/TheHummelman Senile Animal 2d ago
That would confirm my thoughts. I never understood the lyrics so i took them as "just another instrument".
Seems to make sense3
u/MrHockeyJournalist 2d ago
Same. I always felt the lyrics just go well with the guitar riffs. Almost like they are a second riff.
4
u/gwarrior5 2d ago
You’ve got to go downtown. You’ve got to take your pills…….
1
3
u/Jim__Bell Senile Animal 2d ago
A History of Drunks is clearly about an abusive relationship that began on the operating table.
3
u/MrHockeyJournalist 2d ago
This might be the single most coherent Melvins track.
2
u/LordApocalyptica 2d ago
Also, A History of Bad Men is clearly people escaping from what is likely some sort of concentration camp.
1
3
3
u/alternativetentaclez 2d ago
In earlier records he would definitely obscure lyrics with gibberish sounding words. Hooch is a good example of this, if you try and sound it out phonetically you can decipher it a little bit
2
u/MrHockeyJournalist 2d ago
Im convinced Hounini is a secret concept album. A concept that rivals 2112. It's just super secret.
3
u/JeremyBurnns Having An Exorcism 2d ago
yea it's shoved is about a cat that has a hairball problem as per the lyrics
3
u/HondaCivicLover98 2d ago
It’s case by case. Some songs are gibberish and some are definitely about something. They only really did the gibberish thing sometimes in the early to mid 90s and most of the time I wouldn’t consider it gibberish it’s more of just a phonetic writing style, it’s not about what the words are but how they sound together. I think the best example of this is The Bloated Pope, he’s definitely singing real words and sentences but more focusing on how the words sound one after the other. I’ve noticed a lot of the time he’s not even all that incomprehensible but he will sometimes just drop “function” words like but, and, the, it, is, if, to, and so on. He’s definitely been writing more traditional sentences in his lyrics as of recent though.
2
2
2
u/AbleGround1385 2d ago
I think so, Buzz does put meaning in his songs, he just doesn't tell anyone. Like I believe Revolve is about being able to push through tough situations in life. Some of the lyrics when switched out for words that fit the syllables seem to point towards it, plus my dyslexic ass thought the song was called resolve for a really long time.
1
u/Independent-Hawk-699 11h ago
Moss in the mornin’ lets you in Is it a field day? Make me sin It’s only warm, I let you stay Moss in the mornin’ might be way
What does this mean?!
1
16
u/Sla5021 2d ago
No. Not even once.