Forum
Flick of the Switch
Is this song about masturbating?
The lyrics read like about 25 words were put into a blender and pulled out at random, but without the wit or intelligence of your typical Dr. Seuss book which uses the same number of words. There are a few coherent phrases available in the song which lead me to think it's about getting laid. "She'll blow you sky high" is one clue, along with "she can satisfy". Another is: "She got you reelin' on a rockin' machine" which makes me think the woman in question is riding the narrator. Other than that, the remaining lyrics are basically nonsensical. For example, why is this woman who is so kindly rocking the narrator's world, "She devil, she evil"? Is this some kind of Catholic/Protestant subtext about the evils of sex with women?
Yeah the lyrics on that song were really about nothing at all, which is why it was a flop. The lyrics have to feel genuine, like on YSMANL for it to work.
I got that same impression RNR about the song being about getting laid, and your synopsis pretty much sums it up. "She devil, she evil" is another mystery.
I just meant it as a joke people, you know...Flick of the Switch, get it? I didn't expect anyone to over analyze it. Yet, since it's been mentioned...the lyrics don't make any damn sense! Good riff though.
"Yet, since it's been mentioned...the lyrics don't make any damn sense! Good riff though." The same could be said for just about any AC/DC song of the last 30 years. Like, despite all my ranting about what a worthless piece of crap Runaway Train is, the riff and song structure is quite awesome and powerful. It's just too bad the song is meaningless and became dated and/or a "Huh?" question-mark the second after it was released. Thank God for Rick Rubin and Bruce Fairbairn. They at least pushed the band to write good, resonant songs which still have meaning decades after their original release.
"Thank God for Rick Rubin and Bruce Fairbairn. They at least pushed the band to write good, resonant songs which still have meaning decades after their original release." __________________________________________________________ Are you being sarcastic? (not trying to be an ass if you aren't,just most people tend to say none of the Young/Young era songs have much of a meaning at all.Which I agree and disagree with to a certain extent.Didn't know if you were serious or not. Anyways,I think they both (Bruce/Rick) brought a lot to the table as producers,and I wouldn't mind if they did another album with the band.Shame Bruce isn't still with us,but I'd love another Rubin' produced album. Balls On The Edge please,we need another album with some Mean Belting Songs,like "Ballbreaker!" " You Are A" "Ballbreaker" What a killer riff Angus and Mal play,and Brian had to nearly scream his nuts off. The Black Ice Tour needed at least one song that really made him scream,this one would have worked his voice out big time.
I never judge a song from it's lyrics so Flick kicks ass in my opinion. I judge BI from it's music and it's not working for me, with a couple of exceptions.
It could be called "Balls on the Edge of her Upper Lip". And I too tend to prefer Brian's lyrics, although certain of the Young songs are favorites of mine. A lot of those though I suspect Brian had a hand in, Hard as a Rock and Big Jack in particular.
"A lot of those though I suspect Brian had a hand in, Hard as a Rock and Big Jack in particular." Then Brian should be getting credit and royalties. I have a hard time with silly, nonsensical lyrics. So as much as I love "Shake Your Foundations", I cringe every time I hear, "There's a fever running high/if you wait until you're fly." If you listen to the way Brian sings it, too, it sounds like he's cringing at the terrible rhyme/use of hipster slang, too. I think if the band can't take the time to write some quality lyrics a la Ballbreaker and The Razor's Edge (not to mention the Bon Scott years), they should just stick to instrumentals. DT and Chase the Ace are two of my favorites ever from AC/DC.
RNR, that is exactly what I stated in a previous post regarding Chase The Ace and DT. To this day I still do not know why they never did any other instrumentals, only guess is because they recorded Who Made Who as a soundtrack so that explains why those songs are on their as instrumentals. I think they could have done a few more instrumentals since the riffs to the above mentioned were superb. I do like the other instrumentals like Scared, Cliff's Bass Solo, and Humans Here which should have been included on the album even though they are available on bootlegs, but with dialogue and effects. I miss Bon, but do agree with Steve that Brian has some great lyrical tracks, maybe not on all the albums, but 'Back In Black' sure takes the cake don't forget :)
Lyric wise I say Brian did a great job on BiB and BUYV. Even thought the Youngs did some nice lyrics too, Rock Your Heart or Mistress for Christmas to mention.
I think if the band can't take the time to write some quality lyrics a la Ballbreaker and The Razor's Edge (not to mention the Bon Scott years), they should just stick to instrumentals. They should stop writing songs but let's not start again. I just wanted to say that Bon Scott lyrics where among a few i ever took notice on songs.P.E. What's next to the moon lyrics may sound a complete bull for some but they are completely brilliant. I could agree that the lyric problem that you are mentioning is valid but i don't pay much attention to it.After all it's RNR and not William Shakespeare or Sophocles (to those that don't posses their history Sophocles is a Greek tragedian).
Flick: That's my favorite Brian moment; when he belts "You are a... BALLBREAKER!" RNRDamnation: Actually it's: "Got a fever running high, Give you wings to make you fly" ...and it's Sink the Pink, not Shake Your Foundations... ... so STFU. And besides, the FOTW lyrics fit the groovy and funky nature of the songs. As for lyric writing, It's a no brainer letting Brian write again but hey, that's AC/DC for ya.
Brian needs the pen again, FACT. Also, suicidehummer is right about the lyrics.
@Suicide "the FOTW lyrics fit the groovy and funky nature of the songs." How true, how true especially for this album which is one of my favs since it sure gets a party rockin'!!!
I think that Flick and Fly are both brilliant albumb's. And i come back to them time and time again..