The Stone Roses’ “She Bangs the Drums” Lyrics Meaning
“She Bangs the Drums” is for the most part a love song. That is the majority of its lyrics are either intended to exalt a particular lady (the titular “she”) or to celebrate the fact that the singer is in love with her. But a listener likely wouldn’t know so based on the first verse alone. This particular section is filled with metaphors which by and large portray the singer as some sort of bad boy who seems to be rejoicing in his ascent in addition to the simultaneous descent of a rival(s). But the rest of the song features a bunch of allegories in their own rights.
And as aforementioned, unlike the first verse, the latter sections make it more apparent that the track is based on romance as opposed to the singer boasting. For instance, it is relatively easy to come to the conclusion that when he exclaims “she bangs the drums” in the second verse, this expression points to him being smitten by a woman. So in that regard the most-plausible theory is that “the drums” is actually a poetic reference to his heartbreak, as in she being able to make his heart beat faster due to romantic excitement. And other related imagery, such as he praising “the way she plays [the drum]”, also lends to this notion of him being in love. And overall, perhaps considering that he’s a bad boy and all, the narrator seems a bit shocked that someone has been able to make such an emotional impact on his life.
Conclusion
So we can conclude that it is very much possible that this is the first time he’s truly fallen head over heels for a lady. But either way, he is clearly enjoying the experience. And it is also quite apparent that this woman, at least for the moment, has a very strong influence over him.
Release Date of “She Bangs the Drums”
“She Bangs the Drums” was released by Silvertone Records on 17 July 1989. It was the second single from The Stone Roses’ maiden album, which was also entitled “The Stone Roses”.
A Successful Song
This classic brought so much success to the Stone Roses. For example, it made it on to a number of distinguished lists (including NME’s “50 Greatest Indie Anthems Ever”). Furthermore, this track, which was only released in three countries (Germany, Japan and the United Kingdom) peaked at number 34 in Britain. In fact it was the first song by The Stone Roses to ever crack the Top 40 in the UK.
In addition to the above, this classic also topped the UK Indie Chart.
Who wrote “She Bangs the Drums”?
The Stone Roses’ John Squire along with Ian Brown wrote this song. In fact the former wrote the verses and the latter the choruses. And this may explain why the subject of the lyrics seems to shift after the intro.
And the track was produced by John Leckie who worked with the band extensively, especially during their earlier years.
This analysis is a bit superficial.
The song actually contains a number of biblical references and is likely to be another song about the gnostic origins of Jesus’s powers (see many comments by Brown). On the surface it’s a love song, but in fact it’s about being a disciple in love with Christ, who got his powers via Gnosticism. She is banging the drums because she is leading and the person following is totally taken up by it – “the way she plays” the drums. She’ll be “the first” and “the last” is a biblical reference. Holy bread and passion fruit as well. Reference to “the way, I feel” is to “the way” (i.e. “the way” of Christ, often referred to in the Bible). “Through the early morning sun, I can see here he she comes” is a reference to the resurrection / Christ appearing again.
The first verse is about the song itself, linking it to the awe of being a follower of the way of Christ.
There are many many references to “she” in the Roses’ songs. See for example Love Spreads – again, many references to Gnosticism and that love is a “she” on the cross etc.