Swans - Helpless Child

Swans - Helpless Child
From the album Soundtracks for the Blind (Silver Disc) 1996
LYRICS
Now you be the mother,
And I'll be your fool,
I'll hide myself deep inside,
Your crimson pool.
The muddy water runs,
Beneath your folds,
You won't let me breathe,
You won't let me go.
Now you be the stranger,
And I'll be the white-skinned son,
You'll blacken my innocence,
With sugar and opium...
The children were suffocating,
Down in your damp cave,
And you were the mother,
And I was the sleeping slave.
Protect me from violence,
Hold me in your cool lips,
You drug me with kindness,
So I can pretend I exist.
Now you be the oly child,
I'll suck on your breast,
You'll feed me with gasoline,
I'll burn my name in your head.
I do not own any rights to this video, all copyrights belong to Swans.

[@charluspupuce]

Definitely the best song in the cars 3 soundtrack

[@434emm]

It was there? Wow

[@naskivik]

@@434emm r/whooosh

[@fadlinugraha347]

@@DaRkShadOwxXx14 XD

[@_bigdipper]

@@naskivik RrR/ wHOoSsoosssh

[@YourTrustyHonkey9716]

Get out this song was in cars 3?

[@RobotPilots]

Mfs deny that they have mommy issues then immediately put this song on right after

[@dieterbohm9700]

This song is so fucking strong pal.

[@thunderfoot4969]

"You drug me with kindness, so I can pretend I exist"

[@ericbryant6097]

like a statement of false pretenses of a god opiate

[@delhidelirium9091]

thumbing up without even reading it entirely , just like a true believer : some sort of Jehovah´s witness ... whatever Gira ´prints` has always been gospel to me ... contrary to where he stands - see me give 2 sheaats !

[@spacefertilizer]

I think I read somewhere that it's a song from an unborn baby's perspective of being inside the womb of a drug addict. Maybe it was just an interpretation of the song, but I think it's a good one.

[@user-oj5ts4cg2d]

@@delhidelirium9091 could you please explain it? how do you get these words "you drug me with kindness and i can pretend i exist"

[@delhidelirium9091]

@@user-oj5ts4cg2d See, not wishing to be ´cryptic` about it or otherwise ,yet , that is so self explanatory in the context of ´being` that I´m either not too sure whether to feel glad that you are having such doubts about that line , or simply , the opposite You trolling tf out of it all is also a possibility : -) .

[@pakishock91]

Its like a psychopathic murderer reflecting on his childhood. Dark yet beautiful.

[@majo2353]

I like your interpretation the best

[@ultimateampharos292]

it makes sense considering I Was A Prisoner in Your Skull is right before it in the tracklist

[@fox8945]

One of the greatest songs of all time.

[@boyo7918]

The greatest song of all time.

[@afterceasetoexist]

Seconded.

[@19eightyforeisnow]

No the sound is bettee

[@vinyldiary6664]

One of the greatest bands of all time.

[@afterceasetoexist]

_The_ greatest band of all time.

[@CaioAraujoRibeiro]

Someone described this song as: "The Sound Of A Cathedral Crumbling Into Dust With Every Microsecond Extended Unto Eternity" I think it's fitting.

[@utryping]

@@CharlesMontgomeryBurns. someone

[@junedays2979]

that sounds like a gy!be song title

[@user-bf6gz8ej4o]

Damn I wanna use that as a song title

[@johnbryan1049]

@@junedays2979 also sounds like a good description of some of their tracks

[@LucasXavierReis95]

The "You feed me with gasoline/I'll burn my name in your head" part relates so much to my dad alcoholism and how I love him and feel like shit he does that but also I wanna outdrink him, maybe in a desperate attempt to make him suffer the same feeling of having an alcoholic loved one. Which is shitty. We're both killing ourselves. Him being 70 and falling on concrete because of his bar visits and me because of my periods of extreme drinking and then seizures and hallucinations caused by alcohol withdrawal.

[@mauricioandres7470]

Seek professional help, you are risking your life with these traits, I hope you find peace in your life, think of those around you, bless

[@titom196]

Hope you're doing better, the same shit hapens to me, now I have kids, and I try my best to breake the chain

[@joem.8555]

10:19 is one of my favorite moments in music.

[@daydreamcon6343]

Joe M. Amen

[@marcochies2476]

for me too

[@erfan487]

I cried from that point till the end. Just wept...

[@MultiReptilian]

Reminds me of something from GY!BE

[@gavindowns4177]

me too

[@woodouse]

JARBOE!!!!!!! even when she doesn't sing, those fuckin keyboards!!!!!!!

[@puppetmaster3911]

Swans was best during the Jarboe years. My opinion....

[@alexblock2248]

Puppet Master Not alone with that!

[@sunfucker2213]

OH yes

[@kiryuchan860]

@@therealpc123 never happening. It would be such an Opus though.

[@charmicarmicat2981]

The helpless child is the human race and the mother is Earth. Mother of the World is a companion song

[@ussishkingang7194]

You know, by how Michael Gira talks about his writing I don’t think it’s as specific

[@danielplainview2584]

@@ussishkingang7194 I think the opacity of the writing is the reason it's so great and near universal.

[@uselessmemberofsociety4664]

Just wanna say I appreciate the Melvins reference in your name too

[@charmicarmicat2981]

@@uselessmemberofsociety4664 I do it for guys like you bud 🤙 god bless

[@ghostrhythm]

They don't really sound all that similar to me, but they're both great.

[@Korewarumine]

This song is... devastating. The first part is very melancholic with Gira singing in a so nihilistic and somber tone, creating a extremily dark and apocalyptic atmosphere. The second part is simply brain melting. Every type of instrument start do embrace themselves, creating an unstopable growing sonic beast that just consumes your ear more and more. It's one of the most cathartic and moving moments that I ever heard in a song. This album is really genial and incredebly deep in it's lack of structure and coherence. There's no other record like this, with this level of majesty and identity, and probably will never exist. This album is a summation of so many expecific circunstances and variables, that end creating this monumental and masterful product. One of the most disturbing, inaccesible, but beautiful albuns to ever exist.

[@thememoriesof4892]

good concept but you are high

[@pootpoot355]

lonely angel more like get some bitches

[@we-must-live]

@Ljubo Divljak I wouldn’t call em worms, just unbelieving!

[@viral0998hj]

Yeah that album does exist it's Iowa by Slipknot

[@elchicharron9503]

This is dogshit unmusical noise.

[@Soft_Machine]

Minions Rise Of Gru soundtrack brought me here

[@criminI]

If quality equaled record sales, this would be a 10x platinum album

[@i.hold.vertigo2329]

This album is pretty well respected for what it is. Also, having some perspective on my own Swans fandom, I don't think this music should be for everyone. It speaks to way too specific an audience. Not to mention it's kind of a weird bummer at times. I used to love this record, and this might be my favorite song from it, but even I'm questioning if that was ever a good thing.

[@onepunch1019]

@@i.hold.vertigo2329 agreed it doesn’t need to have big sales in order to be well respected

[@criminI]

@@i.hold.vertigo2329 lmao i might have worded my original comment wrong as i meant that if quality = record sales this record would be 10x platinum due to the near perfect quality of this album and song

[@woah3157]

@@i.hold.vertigo2329 i feel that way sometimes lmao the music i enjoy sometimes kind of makes me feel like a loser

[@aquacyanide]

honestly? I'm glad Swans is in the position it's in. It's very well known and acclaimed under the communities which know it, and most people who wouldn't like or enjoy it don't end up finding it. I'm pretty sure the band members are also glad with their position as of now so they're one of the few bands where I think I'm happy with where they are

[@superiorpatrician]

Nope. Might be my favourite song. Ever. Only swans song that compares is the live version of blood promise.

[@RkivUnderground]

I'd have to say the live version of Blood Promise from Swans Are Dead is actually very similar, especially both of their codas.

[@takashimizutani1808]

Blood promise live version just makes me feel emotions man no song compared to it lol

[@GlitchRodgers]

Yes!

[@kuka4082]

fantastic song. it's getting tougher each day and i am not sure if i will survive this month. at least i'm happy i found this gem

[@salviahunden]

are you still with us brother

[@kuka4082]

@@salviahunden yeah, thanks. i quit my job and life is easier now

[@salviahunden]

@@kuka4082 fuck yeah man i'm so glad to hear. keep on keep on

[@awakelingsignals]

I screenshot this conversation

[@traj2540]

Hey! how you doin buddy

[@err0rc0degames]

Listening to this while having a drag on the balcony at night stargazing

[@stratford1]

The best feeling

[@connorfruth4120]

1:33 always gives every single one of my bones intense chills. This is one breath-taking, emotional, spiritual behemoth of a song from one of the greatest masterpiece albums to ever exist. Swans will ALWAYS be one of the most incredible and important bands of all time.

[@McBignLargeBJ64]

Such a stunning chord/drone right there. Made me gasp the first time I heard it and still brings me shivers

[@southendbusker7534]

you should play silent hill 2, the entire game is that moment

[@whoismissgurl]

lol @ behemoth

[@DemonSlide]

About 4 years ago this album was all I listened to when I would go to university. I used to travel for about 2 hrs and just chill back and enjoy the music. Good times. Amazing record.

[@creeperzoid2639]

8 now?

[@ferdinandbardamu.]

9 now?

[@steez_s]

10 now?

[@DemonSlide]

All of you are correct :)

[@nicktendo69lmao99]

11 now?

[@dart1000]

this song deserves to be in the album titled: 'Soundtracks for the Blind'.

[@danberrry]

i've got some amazing news

[@BoboBen35]

This is the soundtrack for despair

[@majicant.]

this song has stayed with me ever since i first heard this album

[@AbyssicHate112]

I love you lain

[@majicant.]

❤️

[@22z83]

3V3R5INC3

[@CD_Rhoms]

fifteenth minutes that feels like two.... absolutely incredible

[@bbbaul8981]

tbh this isn‘t even rly a song that gets me down anymore, it is just pure euphoria

[@Kosmic_fire]

I’m not a Swans superfan or anything, but this album and especially this song hits like nothing else

[@DontJinxItYet]

i refuse to believe human beings created this song

[@lunchmeat9118]

An emotion that can hardly be described. It’s euphoric and cathartic, yet unendingly devastating and soul crushing. It’s a ballad of an abused, used child who is so fucked up by the world around them that they turn evil, they seek revenge on the mother and the society that made them this way. In that way it’s a song of absolute heartbreak. Yet, at the same time, I can’t help but feel elated every time I hear that second part. It extends the depression of the first part, yet gives it an unrivaled beauty that is beyond words. This shit gives me chills every time, one of my favorite songs ever.

[@marcochies2476]

Yes, this is the song that define the human race and his journey in earth.

[@kiryuchan860]

Yeah. A white bloke and some fellas defined the human race. Wake up JFC.

[@mauricioandres7470]

@@kiryuchan860?

[@coolgamer7999]

@@kiryuchan860 bros mad over a pronoun

[@withnail-and-i]

​@@kiryuchan860White men following their tradition after inventing literature

[@franco5506]

No matter the course of my life, I always end up coming back here, I will always end up coming back here. Art hardly gets better than this

[@rapidJesse]

yes.

[@luishenriqueteske8410]

Songs to be listen alone.

[@Lasagnabobby]

This is the most beatifull song i've ever heard

[@roke655]

I played this for buddy once when he was stoned and he said it made him feel like he was going insane great song

[@jamesguillorytheirascibleh585]

Swans are truly the most underrated band of all time.

[@theofficialassmob]

lol they are far from underrated, they just are not mainstream

[@exiledreptile]

Underplayed not underrated. Those who listen to Swans love swans. But their music is just not fit for the mainstream and that’s ok, as long as they are always making great music.

[@martinharrison1504]

Depends what you mean by underrated. If it's rated very highly by a minority is that underrated?

[@leonardsimonis2376]

I think that they are better than much more successful and "well known" bands, inside their genre (Tool for example), and outside their genre. I would put them on the same stage as Pink Floyd for example, but while Pink Floyd got so rich and famous they could run for presidency (and they deserve it, because they were a great band), SWANS had to run a tour just to get enough money to record THE SEER. If Pink Floyd would reunite to record a new album, they would get paid before even visiting the studio, and SWANS have to, so to say, hope that their fanbase likes their album and buys it. That's underrated for me. And they still produce new music. They are one of those bands that last over decades, and that is not common in music. And still noone I ever asked knew them. I would even call bands like Dead Can Dance or Cocteau Twins or Type O Negative (they maybe be the most successful) underrated, because they deserve much more fame due to their awesome music, and they don't got and get that fame. They have a fanbase, and I know their music is not playable on radios, but still, there are far worse bands that get praised and loved into stardom...But being in a fanbase that comes from the underground makes you also feel a little bit bold. There are bands that none of your friends and family know but you, and you know there are others that think the same...just my thoughts

[@mrloam]

@@leonardsimonis2376 brilliantly put 🤝

[@AlissonSilva-ox4uz]

This is peak of rock music

[@schooj8]

I dreamed of this song last night. Only It was even more depressing in my dream...

[@puppetmaster3911]

Never get sick of this song...

[@MortonGoldthwait]

That chord at 7:49 ...

[@vvhitepriest]

this is what it feels like to live in the skin and bones of every creature

[@bentfj5195]

A girl introdus me to this song. Been a fan melancholic. ❤❤

[@aphextwink2343]

Probably the best song of all time

[@Lonew02]

I may or may not have an emotional connection to this song and Animus, just maybe.

[@linexi]

one of the best songs ever made

[@nachiiitoooywea]

so i can pretend i exist

[@hikikomori4064]

if i discovered this song 2/3 years ago, when i was so depressed, this would be the last song i would have listened to

[@kiryuchan860]

The most underappreciated SWANS album. People who like the early stuff pass on this a lot, people who think they know what "SWANS is all about" will never listen. It's a true masterpiece of work.

[@catnuaxgd826]

underappreciated? is the most acclaimed of all, is the opposite of underappreciated

[@neromxxn2252]

???? Underappreciated how

[@heckinbasedandinkpilledoct7459]

Huh? It’s a 4.15 on rym

[@liamsmith2183]

Bro come on now.

[@50zezima]

I discovered swans today for the first time. Not usually into this type of music but I started with the love of life album first and was really impressed by how polished and carefully created it was (not all of the repeat songs on the album though that was annoying). Now I'm listening to this album and I'm so impressed seriously. Glad Spotify recommended them to me.

[@alonsolizana7047]

Soundtracks for the Blind is one of my personal favorites It hits where many other albums in music don't, it encapsulates you in an incredible sonic experience, something you have never heard before. In case someone hasn't listened to it yet, I strongly recommend it. Wear some good headphones and pay attention, it is worth the ride

[@industrialworld1]

the best song of all time.

[@ericbryant6097]

this still haunts the psyche of ht 98 subconscious set up primer for the lsd trip I took 3rd time out 98' strong blodder

[@theofficialassmob]

were you tripping when you typed this comment? cause i have no idea what you said

[@franciscomedeiros8662]

@@theofficialassmob he's still tripping since 98

[@deathklaath5798]

Por alguna razón esta canción me apareció en mi playlist de dormir, la cosa es que siempre cuando suena esta canción me dan pesadillas o parálisis del sueño y siempre en esta parte... 10:20

[@ferdinandbardamu.]

Swans is too strong for you lad, get accustomed to it listening to it's other albums first

[@joseharo8495]

Primero que nada, escuchar música mientras duermes es pal pico XDDDDD; pero debieras revisar otros álbumes de Swans antes de tirarte al Soundtracks (personalmente recomendaría The Great Annihilator).

[@palermowii]

Sabés que me pasa lo mismo? Tenía una época que escuchaba este álbum para dormir siempre, y siempre me despertaba con parálisis del sueño

[@BztardChild.]

Por algún motivo Swans me relaja (obviamente no todas las canciones), pero con una canción que tuve una pesadilla y parálisis de suelo horrible fue con The Murder Mistery de Velvet Underground

[@alonsomartinez6751]

@@joseharo8495 un chileno? hermano necesito que venga Swans a Chile, vendería mi alma

[@vasilijevujcic6464]

their biggest song

[@spagootest2185]

Bring the sun is 34 minutes long

[@brazilbr4415]

@@spagootest2185 It's 14 minutes long.

[@conjointoates]

@@brazilbr4415 glowing man is 30 minutes

[@torstenatterberg5788]

@@spagootest2185 they said biggest, not longest

[@spagootest2185]

@@torstenatterberg5788 I was wrong anyway, The Knot is longer

[@nobody845]

Thank you for living with me

[@madmedov]

I wonder if anyone out there recommended this album to his best friend who is blind.

[@Rosalina102798]

This might be one of the most crushingly nihilistic songs I've ever heard in my life.

[@someguy779]

how do you mean? i never that impression from this song

[@afterceasetoexist]

I don't think you know what nihilism is

[@derida6971]

Being melancholic, doesn't mean it's nihilistic. swans sometimes has partial nihilistic vibes though

[@fenixman2]

Its entirely the opposite, slight melancholic hope smushed inbetween more cynical, nihilistic songs

[@NileForce2214]

The lyrics may come off as hopeless, a mother who is killing her unborn child with the opium she is taking. But the instrumental at the end is rather bittersweet. It’s not Daughters or Death Metal level nihilism.

[@xanderbuil0073]

First time i heard dis song it made me hallucinate

[@tortimania5734]

esta canción está hecha con mucho amor y sentimiento

[@paresdeh3765]

hola

[@tortimania5734]

@@paresdeh3765 hola!

[@lustsoul666]

@@paresdeh3765 Hola

[@mimi-uz1qx]

Hola!

[@publiccastrationisagoodidea.]

ola

[@spinnesplein]

THE song of all time

[@kraftyhandz]

Absolutely magnificent.

[@hyoonoot]

Fucking crushing.

[@attilafuredi5224]

The top of songwriting.

[@Blackoudmusic]

And to think everyone on Earth has a different story to tell if Michael Gira's mother didn't have any children we would have never had this song or album or band it's crazy to think about

[@himseb8971]

This song means so much to me.

[@marcochies2476]

Masterpiece.

[@marcochies2476]

The only song I needed to hear. Epic.

[@theskoolmustard00]

Happy 25th anniversary

[@btetschner]

Great song, thank you for the video.

[@adambbbbbbbbbbbbb]

work of art

[@Vegetable_Suit_]

I am a god to my very core

[@shupamelapijaboludo]

15 people are helpless children

[@FureonNectarmoon]

Or rather those 15 have *never been* helpless children and can't relate.

[@hermansniffler9540]

Aren't we all?

[@shupamelapijaboludo]

Nobody knows

[@DeathAndAnime]

I have to agree, it's a fantastic song. :D

[@TheKeefmaster]

Majestic

[@saraivatoledo1842]

I feel rotten listening to this ... flies torment my carcass ... that type of jubilant mood , yeah ...

[@skutecnyatom]

Díky moc Rasťo

[@marcochies2476]

thanks, gira, IT'S A GEME.

[@isaiahromero9861]

This song sounds like the soundtrack to the apocalypse, 11/10 masterpiece

[@richardroberson2564]

Sounds like Summer in Texas.

[@stoopkid58008]

was very high when i first listened, lowkey almost came

[@stratford1]

This song is gonna kill me.

[@user-bf6gz8ej4o]

It won't. Let it give you the strength to reflect your thoughts. Overall, it's just a song. And you are mightier that a song.

[@atiostefony3760]

Quizás.. tengo el deseo de escuchar esto y nada mas por muchos días , y que me

[@martinharrison1504]

This is very like early Nick Cave. Reminds me of his 'stranger than kindness'.

[@wolfgabe8925]

1:33 my god that is intense

[@yassinebencheikh8136]

The end to this song sounds like something Bathory would do

[@rottinggenitals1152]

Místo toho hledat Swans helpless child lyrixs Helpless Child Skladba, Swans PřehledTextyVidea Now, you be the mother, and I'll be your fool I'll hide myself deep inside Your crimson pool The muddy water runs Beneath your folds You won't let me breathe You won't let me go Now, you be the stranger, and I'll be the white-skinned son You'll blacken my innocence With sugar and opium The children were suffocating Down in your damp cave And you were the mother, and I was the sleeping slave Protect me from violence Hold me in your cool lips You drug me with kindness So I can pretend I exist Now, you be the only child I'll suck on your breast You'll feed me with gasoline I'll burn my name in your head Ah-ah-ah Ah-ah-ah Ah-ah-ah, ah, ah Ah-ah-ah

[@nelinearni]

velmi pravdivé

[@mymorningzion]

Fuck why is SWANS so good

[@metalyuncle3106]

Anyone else get a Piece of the Sky feel from this one?

[@user-lk4ng9eq4n]

You live the mother and..

[@superiorpatrician]

I heard lots of clicks and things that aren't present on the actual recording and were probably errors in the file uploaded. Or my computer broke.

[@H4his]

pussy nerd

[@DeathAndAnime]

Oh, I thought you were saying something along the lines of "Don't bother listening to this song, it's just a crappy old artifact." I'm glad you weren't lol.

[@HappyMonotony]

Does anybody know what they are using through the first 2 minutes of the song? Is it a synthesizer maybe?

[@pimposki6232]

sounds like a guitar with lots of delays, maybe a reverse reverb (or reverse delay). lots of chaining of delays and a reverb or two with reversey stuff i think

[@foxtemple1952]

Possibly a slide guitar

[@darylcumming7119]

🧡

[@paresdeh3765]

estoy en las nubes

[@frmfygfxh]

hola

[@paresdeh3765]

@@frmfygfxh te gusta swans

[@frmfygfxh]

@@paresdeh3765 sí, literalmente es mi banda más escuchada en last

[@paresdeh3765]

@@frmfygfxh pase su nick de last para seguirlo y de paso le dejo un comentario

[@frmfygfxh]

@@paresdeh3765 creo que ya te encontré, mira tus shouts

[@DeathAndAnime]

Not quite sure what you mean by that.

[@ericbryant6097]

I had a hellacious acid trip on this 3rd time tripping dosed first time 3hits of strong blodder

[@user-lk4ng9eq4n]

His name is good מיכאל

[@user-lk4ng9eq4n]

I’ll burn my Name in your head (Your name is Good)

[@michaelalejandro6056]

I wish they would come to Los Angeles they are fucking amazing

[@withnail-and-i]

Hope you caught them

[@michaelalejandro6056]

@@withnail-and-i I DID! IT WAS CRAZY

[@withnail-and-i]

@@michaelalejandro6056 I was browsing the comments in anticipation of their Montreal concert yesterday, which I attended, and I share your feeling, still wrapping my mind around it, crazy is the word! And Norman Westberg did the weirdest opening set that I've ever seen haha

[@michaelalejandro6056]

@@withnail-and-i dude thats so sick! I was waiting for a couple years and was finally able to experience it. The way Michael Gira directs his band is on another level! I honestly thought Norman Westberg was boring as hell. I wish i could have saved my time by coming in a little later lol. There’s better instrumental soloist out there

[@withnail-and-i]

@@michaelalejandro6056 Let's hope we get to see them again, or even a Gira tour like he did with older songs in Europe! Would have loved to see them when they did a tour with Xiu Xiu, or just alone haha, Westberg get back to the band please. The drummer and bassist looked like they were going to be struck by lightning conjured out of Gira's wrath if they didn't keep up the rythm, beautiful chaos.

[@soyuzinstrumentales7605]

talked with a looksmaxxer and now i know the difference of the 4 chan incel and the looksmaxxer, i larped as an incel but at the end i realized that we both were just normies compared to the mediocrity of the 4chan dweller: this eye opening experience made me listen to this song and just wonder what the fuck did just happened.

[@anotherdnb]

It's Swans. Swans happened.

[@keinan17]

hi nad

[@ekinm694]

Big Chungus

[@rapidJesse]

yes.

[@anotherdnb]

Yup.

[@dr.c7679]

you guys like this over Jane's addiction 3 days?

[@pablo_6180]

All of a sudden Radiohead aren't as original as I thought.

[@jossecoupe446]

Bruh you can barely compare them, in terms of originality they both stand tall.

[@criminI]

Lmao what, both are fantastic artists

[@KommentarSpaltenKrieger]

most of those larger-than-life bands draw from acts like this, as far as I can tell. (not unknown either, but not as big and well-known.)

[@dragicmagic9870]

What Radiohead songs sound anything like this

[@mauricioandres7470]

@@dragicmagic9870 Fittier, happier, more productive