In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
It's a Russian roulette it s a game
And you are playing with fire so don't be crazy
Be at peace of mind when you go with the one you desire
Your life is in danger
A dumb dem duma dumb bem d
Because they don't seh a danger but they still na done
Mouth a water fever come
But they don't remember to put a condom
Russian roulette the roulette Russian
Protect you ruddy an protect you bottom
And no bother switch needle men injection
HIV in affect hole the infection
In the car dem a dig down deep and
In the bed dem a dig down deep and
In the field dem a dig down deep
But I man when mi diggin lard I don't fall asleep
Protececection protececection
Use a cococondom a cococondom
Good good loving uke that there's nothing
Cause the AIDS business a serious something
You never ever know never ever know no never know oh
No no never ever know
Who have the sinting ina dem hole
Protect you head an protect you pole
Dirty intention dirty invention an dem wah pin
It all pan the African
Remember who gmn an think about it
Cause mi tell you already it's a serious something
And you are playing with fire so don't be crazy
Be at peace of mind when you go with the one you desire
Your life is in danger
A dumb dem duma dumb bem d
Because they don't seh a danger but they still na done
Mouth a water fever come
But they don't remember to put a condom
Russian roulette the roulette Russian
Protect you ruddy an protect you bottom
And no bother switch needle men injection
HIV in affect hole the infection
In the car dem a dig down deep and
In the bed dem a dig down deep and
In the field dem a dig down deep
But I man when mi diggin lard I don't fall asleep
Protececection protececection
Use a cococondom a cococondom
Good good loving uke that there's nothing
Cause the AIDS business a serious something
You never ever know never ever know no never know oh
No no never ever know
Who have the sinting ina dem hole
Protect you head an protect you pole
Dirty intention dirty invention an dem wah pin
It all pan the African
Remember who gmn an think about it
Cause mi tell you already it's a serious something
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Russian Roulette Lyrics as written by Claudio Malatesti Ian Colin Campbell
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.