Thumbscrews

Album: Shot (1996)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • A thumbscrew is a torture device. The Jesus Lizard frontman David Yow wrote this song about his landlord, who was giving him problems. In the song, Yow envisions torturing this guy:

    We will get the thumbscrews
    And put him in his place
    Leave a great big hole
    Where he used to keep his face


    In our interview with Yow, he explained that the landlord started out "a really, really swell guy," but he quickly turned on him. "He went from being kind of a friend to an enemy," Yow said. "That song and 'Good Riddance,' which was also on the same record, were written about that guy."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Sarah Brightman

Sarah BrightmanSongwriter Interviews

One of the most popular classical vocalists in the land is lining up a trip to space, which is the inspiration for many of her songs.

Edie Brickell

Edie BrickellSongwriter Interviews

Edie Brickell on her collaborations with Paul Simon, Steve Martin and Willie Nelson, and her 2021 album with the New Bohemians.

Trucking Songs That Were #1 Hits

Trucking Songs That Were #1 HitsSong Writing

The stories behind the biggest hit songs about trucking.

Grateful Dead Characters

Grateful Dead CharactersMusic Quiz

Many unusual folks appear in Grateful Dead songs. Can you identify them?

Angelo Moore of Fishbone

Angelo Moore of FishboneSongwriter Interviews

Fishbone has always enjoyed much more acclaim than popularity - Angelo might know why.

Director Paul Rachman on "Hunger Strike," "Man in the Box," Kiss

Director Paul Rachman on "Hunger Strike," "Man in the Box," KissSong Writing

After cutting his teeth on hardcore punk videos, Paul defined the grunge look with his work on "Hunger Strike" and "Man in the Box."