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Butthole Surfers — The Shame of Life
Album: Weird Revolution
Avg rating:
6.9

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2098









Released: 2001
Length: 3:21
Plays (last 30 days): 1
I love the girls and the money and the shame of life
My shallow mind is just a sign of your game of life
There were girls in the front
There were girls in the back
And there were girls pettin' squirrels
And there were squirrels smokin' crack
With an old Navy Seal and the DEA
And a loaded automatic just to blow me all away
With a dog drinkin' liquor from a hole in the sky
And a picture of a pitcher throwin' pitches at a guy
He had a problem with his sister and her 3D cups
And a brother with a shovel just to shake it all up

I love the girls and the money and the shame of life
Hop down they're the people on the street
Where the fuzz in the navel make the people want to eat
My shallow mind is just a sign of your game of life
Get found at the level of the rest
Where the people on the street put their mettle to the test

Locomotive individual and a knuckle in a fight
And I was hidin' in the bushes but I couldn't stand the light
And he was highly indisputable the leader of the gang
Like a bullet in the freezer - Bang Bang

I love the girls and the money and the shame of life
Hop down they're the people on the street
Where the fuzz in the navel make the people want to eat
My shallow mind is just a sign of your game of life
Get found at the level of the rest
Where the people on the street put their mettle to the test

Get down - get down get get dow dow dow down
Invisibility is a relative thing
hah hah hah ha ha ha ha ha

I was all shaken up after I got shaken down
I was shakin' in the air
And I was shakin' on the ground
I was taken by the shaker who was preachin' to the crew
He was shakin' lots of bacon cookin' egg in his shoe
And awaken all the stereos began to sing a tune
Told us we were just a vision in a dream about a shoe
That was walkin' through a store
To find a needle for a soul
That had lost a little reason
Through a little tiny hole

I love the girls and the money and the shame of life
Hop down they're the people on the street
Where the fuzz in the navel make the people want to eat
My shallow mind is just a sign of your game of life
Get found at the level of the rest
Where the people on the street put their mettle to the test
I love the girls and the money and the shame of life
Hop down they're the people on the street
Where the fuzz in the navel make the people want to eat
My shallow mind is just a sign of your game of life
Get found at the level of the rest
Where the people on the street put their mettle to the test
Comments (154)add comment
 IvanTheMediocre wrote:

Had this rated a 6. 
Alone in the office, able to crank it up....the bassline raises it to an easy 8...


did the same just now!
 jjacque100 wrote:

Great song by an insane group.


Had this rated a 6. 
Alone in the office, able to crank it up....the bassline raises it to an easy 8...
Great song by an insane group.
Butthole Surfers to Gordon Lightfoot...WOW
 sfuller wrote:

7 for the good grove and the following lyrics

"And there were girls pettin' squirrels
And there were squirrels smokin’ crack"



afc1510bddcc1077615c9c57e005c458-how-to-craft-squirrels
11.
Excellent lyrics!
 smartn1 wrote:

This is really fun.



I might agree.
This is really fun.
Trivia: the Butthole Surfer’s founder was the son of Mr. Peppermint, a most wholesome and cheesy host of a popular children’s program on local Dallas TV. He didn’t talk about it. 
what in the actual hell?
Some of the best rapping, good message and structure. Everything you won't find in not-so HIP and all iHOP.  Rap is crap, this is art.
 bentonian wrote:
Poor Bill. Some of his listeners think Neil Young is a god on earth, and some can't enough Butthole Surfers... Try programming for that audience!
 

Poor Bentonian, - thinks that music is easily divided between Neil Young's godhood and Butthole Surfer's godhood. Silly monotheists...
 bentonian wrote:
Poor Bill. Some of his listeners think Neil Young is a god on earth, and some can't enough Butthole Surfers... Try programming for that audience!
 

I think many of us enjoy and admire both Neil Young and Butthole Surfers. Further, I suspect that Bill G genuinely enjoys a broad spectrum of musical genres.
And I am so very grateful for that, and for the felicity that led me to find RP!


I think that this is one of B.S.'s  best yet!! I know that don't amount to anything but, really like how the song plays/sounds. Thanks, Bill & Rebecca!!
 Blijj wrote:
Listening earlier and Elbow were playing so I got to wondering how many bands had body part names. A search gave quite a few, including these guys. Then a couple of hours later they're on RP, the biggest coincidence machine on the planet {#Biggrin}.  I love the way RP (regularly) messes with my mind.
 
I've often wished there was a band called the Rs, so that you could test if someone knew their Rs from their Elbow...
Love the rhythm fuzz. Humbuckers and an effects box is just so right sometimes. 
7 for the good grove and the following lyrics

"And there were girls pettin' squirrels
And there were squirrels smokin’ crack"
I must have slept through the summer where this was the theme song.  If it was not the theme song, it should have been.
There isn't enough rocking bananas in the universe to indicate how much I love this song!!!
{#Dancingbanana_2}{#Dancingbanana_2}{#Dancingbanana_2}{#Dancingbanana_2}{#Dancingbanana_2}{#Dancingbanana_2}{#Dancingbanana_2}{#Dancingbanana_2}{#Dancingbanana_2}{#Dancingbanana_2}{#Dancingbanana_2}{#Dancingbanana_2}{#Dancingbanana_2}{#Dancingbanana_2}{#Dancingbanana_2}
All right then. I can honestly say I have never heard this song before in my life. Thanks for that.
Some good lyrics in there, and well delivered.
Sounds like a tribute to Yello. I like it. 
 bluematrix wrote:

I know, right? But Bill is the segue king and does things no one else can do, which is why I love this station.

 
Precisely !!!!
 Me too!
SteadyRollingMan wrote:
Reminds me of the wonderful slinky groove of "Woke Up This Morning" by Alabama 3...{#Devil_pimp}

 


Tom Waits meets Frank Zappa
Hell yeah!  Read those lyrics!  Condensed version of a blockbuster summer action movie!
Reminds me of the wonderful slinky groove of "Woke Up This Morning" by Alabama 3...{#Devil_pimp}
 bentonian wrote:
Poor Bill. Some of his listeners think Neil Young is a god on earth, and some can't enough Butthole Surfers... Try programming for that audience!

 
I know, right? But Bill is the segue king and does things no one else can do, which is why I love this station.
 LongGoneDaddy wrote:
these guys are the ONLY thing good about Texas!

 
Come on, really? How about ZZ Top and Austin, TX.
A little bit like the very fabulous FUN LOVING CRIMINALS but it's OK
Love the visuals...."squirrels smokin' crack"
 AnchorMan wrote:
Looked for this on iTunes.

It would only let me search on "b*******e surfers", and didn't find anything. Jezz. We can't use naughty words now.
The thought police are here.

 
They on a list of fake music. Blame the Russians!
 bentonian wrote:
Poor Bill. Some of his listeners think Neil Young is a god on earth, and some can't enough Butthole Surfers... Try programming for that audience!

 
And yet he does. Second that.
Last saw them play on a street stage in Deep Ellum about 2001 or so. It was a night performance. Small crowd. Dimebag Darrell stood next to me taking in the show. Nice guy, conversed with any admirer who approached. Gibby doused the inverted drum cymbals with lighter fluid and lit 'em up just like in the old days. Quite a fun show.
Cool {#Dancingbanana_2}
Looked for this on iTunes.

It would only let me search on "b*******e surfers", and didn't find anything. Jezz. We can't use naughty words now.
The thought police are here.
Cool stuff: They've mellowed & mainstreamed significantly since the early days in Austin/SA...but still Los Surfers de Butthole nonetheless! Their live shows (often at The Ritz Theater on 6th in Austin) were wild.

Gibby Hayes' father was Mr. Peppermint on PBS' The Mr. Peppermint Show. If I'm not mistaken GH attended Trinity University. He had the attitude of 'a rock-n-roll star' even when just a regional act.

The band's name has a pluralistic reference—the obvious anatomical one as well as perhaps a little Left Coast culture bashing...hey, I enjoyed both places! Try as you might it's been hard to beat Austin for music...for a long time now.
 LongGoneDaddy wrote:
these guys are the ONLY thing good about Texas!

 
Sounds like a band/guy lost in L.A. This is the techno-ghost of "Pepper." 
 bentonian wrote:
Poor Bill. Some of his listeners think Neil Young is a god on earth, and some can't enough Butthole Surfers... Try programming for that audience!

 
This stuff surprised me but it was a good kind of surprise, something refrefreshing.
Poor Bill. Some of his listeners think Neil Young is a god on earth, and some can't enough Butthole Surfers... Try programming for that audience!
Not only does this auld phart like their name I LIKE their music!!
Don't all squirrels act like they smoke crack? Perhaps just in Florida...
MOST EXCELLENT  : )
Where else do you hear this? 8.
Now play something from "Hairway To Steven" or "Locust Abortion Technician"??

Zappa? All I hear is Kid Rock...
Brilliant follow up to the Mothers of Invention..  !      
these guys are the ONLY thing good about Texas!
Yo, homies, bus this like psychedelia, man!

(My pathetic attempt at combining hip-hop and acid rock the way this piece does.)
Wow I never realised just how demented these lyrics are.
 horstman wrote:
I have dared, DARED, Bill to play Dynamo Hum for years. I guess this audience isn't mature enough, or debase enough for that.
 
It was a late into the night at a karaoke bar with a few theater friends when I got up to perform Dinah-moh Hum. DJ said afterwards..."Have to note to not let that play before 11pm." I had a similar reaction when I did RHCP's Sir Psycho Sexy. Its fun finding the dirty songs the DJs didn't know they had.

There were girls in the front
There were girls in the back
And there were girls pettin' squirrels
And there were squirrels smokin' crack
With an old Navy Seal and the DEA
And a loaded automatic just to blow me all away
With a dog drinkin' liquor from a hole in the sky
And a picture of a pitcher throwin' pitches at a guy
He had a problem with his sister and her 3D cups
And a brother with a shovel just to shake it all up
I like this, and I'm a pentagenerian.  I think?
Lovin it from the funky beat to the incomprehensible lyrics.  I beleive there was a squirrel on crack at one point.  I like it.
Sounds like an updated version of "Pepper", but a little catchier. 
I now have renewed faith in RP Ahhhhhhhh!{#Bounce}
"This is the Central Scrrrrrrrrutinizer!!!"
Never heard this song before! I've heard of the BHS's but this is the first track, i've heard! MORE! i need MORE!!!   {#Music}

Dayum, the end of this song is in French! I need to pay more attention.
Very, Very Cool. 9

What surpised me was how much I enjoyed this tune.  I hadn't paid this group much attention in the past, but now I must.


I like it!
I would like to add my voice for more Frank Zappa.

Squirrels on crack.
yep.
I think they live around here.
Amazon wrote:
So, THIS is what the infamously-named (and ClearChannel-banned) Butthole Surfers sound like? Not bad, not bad at all. Very gutsy. It reminds me, too, of Frank Zappa and his noir style of social commentary (e.g., I am the slime on your radio.). Thanks, RP!
This is seriously weak compared to what they used to sound like and especially to what they were like live. I don't know what they're like live now. But it used to be they were one of the best and craziest live shows you could see.
I saw the Buttholes on acid in 1986, or something like that. I think that makes me s seriously cool guy. You may kiss my TCOB ring.
Go to Frank next and you'll have completed this musical traverse. Chicken
horstman wrote:
I have dared, DARED, Bill to play Dynamo Hum for years. I guess this audience isn't mature enough, or debase enough for that.
No doubt a solid set of utterly amusing stuff from the archives. Some listeners must not be old enough to get what is being played and from whence it emerged!
rm999 wrote:
Yep, they are a great band. But their name has stopped me from ever telling someone "I am a big fan of theirs." I honestly think their name limited them quite a bit.
Funny, I go out of my way to tell people "I'm a fan of ButtholeSurfers ..." for the same reason. BTW, I believe someone posted earlier that the name comes from the name hardcore surfers give to people who use surfboards as props on the beach so that they can look like a surfer.
Yep, they are a great band. But their name has stopped me from ever telling someone "I am a big fan of theirs." I honestly think their name limited them quite a bit. Amazon wrote:
So, THIS is what the infamously-named (and ClearChannel-banned) Butthole Surfers sound like? Not bad, not bad at all. Very gutsy. It reminds me, too, of Frank Zappa and his noir style of social commentary (e.g., I am the slime on your radio.). Thanks, RP!
So, THIS is what the infamously-named (and ClearChannel-banned) Butthole Surfers sound like? Not bad, not bad at all. Very gutsy. It reminds me, too, of Frank Zappa and his noir style of social commentary (e.g., I am the slime on your radio.). Thanks, RP!
paulmall wrote:
Great song! I had to run to the computer and see who this was, and I must admit I was surprised to see the Butthole Surfers! I guess I remember older (and weirder) stuff.
yeah, me too (remember songs like "clean it up" from independent worm saloon?)
suddenchad wrote:
The Tubes? The Butthole Surfers? Let's cut to the chase and bring on the master: where's Frank Zappa, Bill?
I have dared, DARED, Bill to play Dynamo Hum for years. I guess this audience isn't mature enough, or debase enough for that.
Bill, You RULE my world Tubes-What do you want from Life Butthole Surfers-The Shame of Life Perfect segue, musically and thematically! Oh, and Spacecowboy, you need to go and re-read your European History. People in glass houses...
great tune f***c politics .... Oscar
Hm. Interesting discussion going on here. Too bad that since the George W. admin came in, American-bashing has become somewhat of a sport here in Europe. I'm American (in Europe), and I can say that a lot of what Europeans see negatively about Americans has some basis. For example, the mention in this thread how Americans often have such an exagerrated shame around anything bodily-function related (hence the reaction to the word "butthole"). Hell, we don't even use the word "toilet" in America (rather, "bathroom") which in England at least they can call it what it is, a TOILET. Still, making sweeping generalizations about any entire nation or culture can only serve to seperate people in an already overly divided world. The less of it that goes on, the better IMO. Anyway, great tune!!!
SpaceCowboy wrote:
This is so funny. A debate like this would never happen i Europe. What's wrong with you Americans? You slaughter each other with all your guns, you live in a society drowning in violence both in real life and in the media, and what concerns and offends you? Bodily functions... Go figure. But still, you are moving forward. You are allowed to say "asshole" on public TV now, aren't you? But then again one tiny little pop-star titty... and people go bananas (giggle). Butthole Surfers? I think Hairway to Steven was better (and funnier).
Look, while I won't deny in general that there are some uptight people in the WORLD, you're just as guilty of generalizations and cliches. Europeans have never slaughtered anyone? I don't need to start making lists here of everything Europe (along with everyone else) is guilty of. If you want to debate someone's position based on what they are saying and your own life experience, by all means, it would be interesting--PARTICULARLY because you are from somewhere else. It would be refreshing even! But to take the old "you Americans..." route- come on, you're just being lazy. Everyone here is an individual, respond to them as such.
The Tubes? The Butthole Surfers? Let's cut to the chase and bring on the master: where's Frank Zappa, Bill?
redeyespy wrote:
Yeah. Channeling some "dirty love" here. I am the slime, baby.
I thought it was Zappa
meloman wrote:
You can tell it's an American forum. Half the posts are about the (OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOh!) name of the band!
Just like an idiot to make such a statement lambasting an entire nationality because of a perceived bias to commenting about a band's name of all things. Really, I just scanned the most recent posts and found few that made significant references to the band's name. Get out from under that rock. Look around, and learn.
Never thought I'd hear the Butthole Surfers here on RP. I gotta say I love it! I broiled a lot of brain cells in the 80's listening to them. I've gone to see them perform live more than any other band I've been a fan of. Truly a multi-media experience.
Here we go, I do think you have major issues with Americans and there violent behavior...but honestly if Europe is so great why are you listening to an American internet radio station and then castrating Americans for there inability to debate like Europeans...whatever that means. SpaceCowboy wrote:
This is so funny. A debate like this would never happen i Europe. What's wrong with you Americans? You slaughter each other with all your guns, you live in a society drowning in violence both in real life and in the media, and what concerns and offends you? Bodily functions... Go figure. But still, you are moving forward. You are allowed to say "asshole" on public TV now, aren't you? But then again one tiny little pop-star titty... and people go bananas (giggle). Butthole Surfers? I think Hairway to Steven was better (and funnier).
meloman wrote:
You can tell it's an American forum. Half the posts are about the (OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOh!) name of the band!
Speaking as a European, you're all by yourself there pal.
butthole surfers on RP? ... most excellent
michaelc wrote:
frank zappa lives
Yeah. Channeling some "dirty love" here.
This is most excellent! Oh, sorry, he said that
frank zappa lives
I'm not shure: Shall I love it or hate it?
This is excellent! I had no idea BS had any music sounding like this. I really love the lyrics.
meloman wrote:
You can tell it's an American forum. Half the posts are about the (OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOh!) name of the band!
I'm an American married to a European, and I have no idea what you're talking about.
Sexy
Album cover is really cool but the track itself is predictable 90s electro-rock. Kinda like White Zombie. (Remember them?) And that guitar riff has been used in only a million other songs or so. Ho-hum.
All of us Americans are idiots. What a great song, who cares about the name of the band. I acutally think it's a great name if that's the topic...hehehehe. Chill out Euro's! meloman wrote:
You can tell it's an American forum. Half the posts are about the (OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOh!) name of the band!
Interesting cover art...totally fits the song I think.
Can't help but listen!
Song is humorous you buttholes
You can tell it's an American forum. Half the posts are about the (OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOh!) name of the band!
last time I saw a song by the srfers on RP they were having the same discussion aout the name.
SpaceCowboy wrote:
This is so funny. A debate like this would never happen i Europe. What's wrong with you Americans? You slaughter each other with all your guns, you live in a society drowning in violence both in real life and in the media, and what concerns and offends you? Bodily functions... Go figure. But still, you are moving forward. You are allowed to say "asshole" on public TV now, aren't you? But then again one tiny little pop-star titty... and people go bananas (giggle). Butthole Surfers? I think Hairway to Steven was better (and funnier).
I blame Henry VIII.
CheskyBevo wrote:
Different strokes for different folks, my friend. Just because you don't think the reference to a person's anal cavity is offensive doesn't necceesarily mean that others will see it the same way. Don't you think that some would be offended if the term *sshole were substituted for butthole? And as long as we are on a body cavity theme, what if c*nthole were used? Do you think that no one would be offended by that? Everybody draws the line somewhere and if they are offended by the band name, they probably won't give the band a chance, whether they are deserving or not.
This is so funny. A debate like this would never happen i Europe. What's wrong with you Americans? You slaughter each other with all your guns, you live in a society drowning in violence both in real life and in the media, and what concerns and offends you? Bodily functions... Go figure. But still, you are moving forward. You are allowed to say "asshole" on public TV now, aren't you? But then again one tiny little pop-star titty... and people go bananas (giggle). Butthole Surfers? I think Hairway to Steven was better (and funnier).
Squirrels smoking crack!!!
Notelrac wrote:
Zappa, anyone?
regarding the name of the band: dictionary definitions: 1. An attitude or position of attack: go on the offensive in chess. 2. An attack or assault: led a massive military offensive. I therefore would say that the mere existence of a word cannot possibly be offensive. If someone came up to me and said "you're a butthole", I would most likely be offended, but to say that you're offended just because you took the time to contemplate the fact that the word does in fact exist, means one of two things: english wasn't your first language (and you should'nt bother learning it at all, quite frankly it's a butthole of a language) or you take offense very easily and don't get out much.
KohlDaddy wrote:
Wow. REALLY bad. Surf this one back up the butthole.
very nicely put.
Notelrac wrote:
Zappa, anyone?
zap pa?
Zappa, anyone?
CheskyBevo wrote:
Different strokes for different folks, my friend. Just because you don't think the reference to a person's anal cavity is offensive doesn't necceesarily mean that others will see it the same way. Don't you think that some would be offended if the term *sshole were substituted for butthole? And as long as we are on a body cavity theme, what if c*nthole were used? Do you think that no one would be offended by that? Everybody draws the line somewhere and if they are offended by the band name, they probably won't give the band a chance, whether they are deserving or not.
There is a George Carlin routine somewhere in there...
I know I've heard this sequence before: Sonny Landreth - Congo Sqaure into Stevie Ray Vaugn - Pipeline into Butthole Surfers - The Shame of Life Is it one of Bill's pre-made great segues? I like it every time I hear it (all three of them).
The BH Surfers Rock!! See 'em live if possible...be forwarned...
tg3k wrote:
"Butthole" is fine. It's "surfer" that I just can't say in mixed company. Have you ever seen one? Scary, man. Actually, offensive band name or no, I like this song, although I have no idea why.
Uh ... huhuhuhu. Yohou said Butthole. Huhuhuhuhu
PattonFever wrote:
how is the word "butthole" offensive? honestly, people.
"Butthole" is fine. It's "surfer" that I just can't say in mixed company. Have you ever seen one? Scary, man. Actually, offensive band name or no, I like this song, although I have no idea why.
You should hear their first slbum. NOT stuff like this....
jdorn1 wrote:
Funny, nobody talks about how great this song is and how ahead of time it was.....Rock on boys! Oh!!!!! See them LIVE! Now, that is something to witness.
Great Song indeed !
trekhead wrote:
Yup, ya gotta stand for something , or you're gonna fall for anything! A 2.
That's the second time I've seen you post something like that. So what is it you stand for, exactly?
Only heard Pepper from these guys, I like this, especially the guy with the deep voice.
This song is completely groovy. For the offended: Everybody poops.
CheskyBevo wrote:
Different strokes for different folks, my friend. Just because you don't think the reference to a person's anal cavity is offensive doesn't necceesarily mean that others will see it the same way. Don't you think that some would be offended if the term *sshole were substituted for butthole? And as long as we are on a body cavity theme, what if c*nthole were used? Do you think that no one would be offended by that? Everybody draws the line somewhere and if they are offended by the band name, they probably won't give the band a chance, whether they are deserving or not.
Yup, ya gotta stand for something , or you're gonna fall for anything! A 2.
surf or die :-)
PattonFever wrote:
how is the word "butthole" offensive? honestly, people.
If you are offended by the name of the band, you are probably exactly the kind of person the band was trying to offend. Sure it's juvenile. Their music still rocks. I, for one, will cut them that much slack.