Rattlesnake by King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard Lyrics Meaning – Delving into the Psychedelic Serpent’s Mind
Lyrics
Rattlesnake
Rattlesnake
Rattles me
Rattlesnake
Rattlesnake
Rattlesnake
Rattles me
Rattlesnake
Rattlesnake
Rattlesnake
Rattles me
Rattlesnake
Rattlesnake
Rattlesnake
Rattles me
Isolation
Trepidation
Don’t fear nothing
Snake is bluffing
Whips his tail
Send you running
Rattlesnake
Rattlesnake
Rattlesnake
Rattles me
Rattlesnake
Rattlesnake
Rattlesnake
Rattles me
Rattlesnake
Rattlesnake
Rattlesnake
Rattles me
Rattlesnake
Rattlesnake
Rattlesnake
Rattles me
Vegetation
Aggravation
Running, hiding [?]
Snake is smiling
Whips his tail
Leaves you writhing
Rattlesnake
Rattlesnake
Rattlesnake
Rattles me
Rattlesnake
Rattlesnake
Rattlesnake
Rattles me
Rattlesnake
Rattlesnake
Rattlesnake
Rattles me
Rattlesnake
Rattlesnake
Rattlesnake
Rattles me
Rattle, rattle rattle
Rattle, rattle rattle
Rattle, rattle rattle
Hibernation
Altercation
Don’t get angry
Snake is cranky
Whips his tail
In a frenzy
Rattlesnake
Rattlesnake
Rattlesnake
Rattles me
Rattlesnake
Rattlesnake
Rattlesnake
Rattles me
Rattlesnake
Rattlesnake
Rattlesnake
Rattles me
Rattlesnake
Rattlesnake
Rattlesnake
Rattles me
Rattle, rattle, rattle
Rattle, rattle, rattle
Rattle, rattle, rattle
I’m the serpent
Devil’s servant
Time to meet your end
Fangs are ready for the strike
Deadly razor sharp
Poison with a single spike
When they rip apart
Screaming like a maniac
After my attack
Crying like a baby child
In exile [?]
Sweat drips out of every pore as
I bite you more and more and more and
Take one last look at your captor
And hear my tail rattling ’til you’re dead
Rattling ’til you’re dead
Rattle, rattle rattle
Rattle, rattle, rattle
I’m the serpent
Devil’s servant
Time your meet your end
Fangs are ready for the strike
Deadly razor sharp
Poison with a single spike
When they rip apart
Screaming like a maniac
After my attack
Crying like a baby child
In exile [?]
Sweat drips out of every pore as
I bite you more and more and more and
Take one last look at your captor
And hear my tail rattling ’til you’re dead
Rattling ’til you’re dead
Rattle, rattle, rattle
Rattle, rattle, rattle
Rattle, rattle, rattle
Isolation
Trepidation
Don’t fear nothing
Snake is bluffing
Whips his tail
Sends you running
Rattlesnake
Rattlesnake
Rattlesnake
Within the relentless repetition and hypnotic beats of King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard’s ‘Rattlesnake’, there lies a complex tapestry woven with threads of danger, fear, and an introspective examination of the human psyche. The song, plucked from their 2017 album ‘Flying Microtonal Banana’, offers listeners not just an auditory thrill but a lyrical journey into the symbology of the serpentine.
The Australian psych-rock band, known for their propensity to experiment with storytelling and musical structure, challenge us to look beyond the surface of what might initially seem like a simple track. This article dives deep into the sandy dunes and rock crevices that the ‘Rattlesnake’ calls home, unraveling the meaning of this enigmatic anthem.
A Hypnotic Dance with Fear and Intrigue
At first listen, the song grips the audience with its mesmerizing, looped motif—almost as if we are being charmed by a sonic snake themselves. The repetition suggests a state of trance or meditation, drawing a parallel between the rhythmic shaking of the rattlesnake’s tail and the way the music induces a trance-like experience for the listener.
This entrancing element does more than just catch an ear; it embodies the very essence of the rattlesnake—a creature revered and feared, associated with both death and healing. The music invites listeners to sway to the rhythm of danger, leading us into a complex rhythm of contemplation about the very nature of our fears.
Unraveling the Song’s Potent Symbolism
The rattlesnake is an evocative image, dense with symbolism. Across various cultures, it can represent transformation, rebirth, and immortality through the shedding of its skin. Yet, here, King Gizzard uses the rattlesnake as a metaphor for the perils we face, both physical and psychological.
The relentless ‘Rattles me’ becomes a mantra, underscoring how we are constantly shaken by life’s adversities, yet find resilience through confronting what rattles us. The song’s aura of danger and the subsequent adrenaline rush represent a confrontation with the unknown and the unexpected twists of fate.
The Allure of Repetition and Familiarity
The band’s decision to use minimalistic lyrics and continuous repetition throughout ‘Rattlesnake’ cleverly plays with the idea of familiarity. It is this familiarity that breeds both contempt for the mundane and a paradoxical sense of comfort—akin to how one might become complacent with risks that have become routine hazards in life.
As the song pulsates with its unyielding beat, it mirrors our own life’s rhythms—the heartbeat of existence that continues despite monotony or threat. King Gizzard’s repetitive lyrics invite us to delve deeper, challenging the listener to seek out the significance of each reiterated verse.
The Song’s Hidden Meaning: A Reflection on Mortality
In the bridge, the voice of the serpent is unleashed. The lyrics crystallize into a vivid depiction of the rattlesnake as Death—a timeless, unyielding force. ‘I’m the serpent, Devil’s servant, Time to meet your end,’ sings frontman Stu Mackenzie, thereby personifying the snake as a grim harbinger.
This chilling narrative serves as a stark reminder of mortality’s omnipresence. It suggests that life’s fragility is underpinned by an ever-present threat, one that can surge out of nowhere, symbolized by the surprise strike of the venomous reptile.
Iconic Lines: ‘Rattlesnake, Rattlesnake, Rattlesnake, Rattles Me’
The song’s hypnotic chorus, repeated ad infinitum, engraves itself into the listener’s memory. But beyond its catchiness, these lines are a powerful representation of an internal echo—a call and response between the self and the inner fears and challenges one must face.
More than just words, these lines are a chant, a spell that conjures up the essence of what it is to feel the prick of life’s rattles. The simplicity of the lyrics belies their profound impact, evoking a visceral and immediate response that compels the listener to confront their own personal rattlesnakes.
