Range Life

Pavement

About Range Life

"Range Life" is a song by Pavement, the third single from their 1994 album Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain. The song attracted attention with controversial lyrics that seemed to mock alternative rock superstars the Smashing Pumpkins and the Stone Temple Pilots; Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan expressed his displeasure in magazine interviews, while songwriter Stephen Malkmus maintained that his words had been misinterpreted and no insult was intended. Regardless, Pavement, which was due to tour for Lollapalooza in 1994, got kicked out when the Smashing Pumpkins, the headlining act, threatened to cancel their dates if Pavement performed. Pavement would eventually play Lollapalooza the next year. An early 1993 demo of the song did not feature the controversial verse; guitarist Spiral Stairs recalled in 2004 that when Malkmus first revealed these new lyrics to his bandmates at the New York City recording sessions for Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain, "we almost lost our lunch from laughing so much." The single was not commercially released in the United States. It was issued by the band's UK label at the time, Big Cat Records. Both B-sides are outtakes from the Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain sessions and are included on the 2004 deluxe reissue of that album. This song was one of many to be included in the group's greatest hits album Quarantine the Past: The Best of Pavement. 


Year:
1994
4:54
323 
#1

 Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!

After the glow, the scene,
The stage, the set
Talk becomes slow
But there's one thing I'll never forget
Hey, you gotta pay your dues
Before you pay the rent

Over the turnstile turn out in the traffic
There's ways of living
It's the way I'm living
Right or wrong,
It's all that I can do,
And I wouldn't want to let you be
I want a range life,
If I could settle down,
If I could settle down,
Then I would settle down
I want a range life,
If I could settle down,
If I could settle down,
Then I would settle down

Run from the pigs, the fuzz,
The cops, the heat
Pass me your gloves, there's crime
And it's never complete
Until you snort it up or shoot it down
You're never gonna feel free
Out on my skateboard
The night is just hummin'
And the gum smacks are the pulse
I'll follow if my walkman fades
But I've got absolutely no one,
No one but myself to blame
Don't worry
We're in no hurry
School's out,
What did you expect?
I want a range life,
If I could settle down,
If I could settle down,
Then I would settle down
I want a range life,
If I could settle down,
If I could settle down,
Then I would settle down

Out on tour with the Smashing Pumpkins
Nature kids, I/they don't have no function
I don't understand what they mean
And I could really give a f*ck
The Stone Temple Pilots,
They're elegant bachelors
They're foxy to me
Are they foxy to you?
I will agree
There isn't absolutely nothing
Nothing more than me
Dreamin' dream dream dream

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer


Pavement

Pavement was an American indie rock band that formed in Stockton, California in 1989. The group mainly consisted of Stephen Malkmus (vocals and guitar), Scott Kannberg (guitar and vocals), Mark Ibold (bass), Steve West (drums) and Bob Nastanovich (percussion and vocals). Initially conceived as a recording project, the band at first avoided press or live performances, while attracting considerable underground attention with their early releases. Gradually evolving into a more polished band, Pavement recorded five full length albums and nine EPs over the course of their decade-long career, though they disbanded with some acrimony in 1999 as the members moved on to other projects. In 2010, they undertook a well-received reunion tour. more »

2 fans

Written by: STEPHEN MALKMUS

Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Album Inclusion
"Range Life" is a popular single from Pavement, an indie rock band from California. It first appeared on the band's second studio album, "Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain," released in 1994.
Genre
"Range Life" falls into the indie rock genre, reflecting Pavement's overall sound. The song also incorporates elements of folk-rock and lo-fi music.
Criticism of Other Bands
One of the most memorable aspects of "Range Life" is the seemingly light dig towards the band's contemporaries, namely Smashing Pumpkins and Stone Temple Pilots. The song's lyrics depict Pavement's dissatisfaction with the popular alternative rock scene at the time.
Track Avoidance
Due to its controversial lyrics, Billy Corgan, Smashing Pumpkins' frontman, mandated that Pavement should not perform "Range Life" at the 1994 Lollapalooza music festival, where both bands were on the roster.
Songwriting and Vocals
The track was written and sung by Stephen Malkmus, the lead singer and guitarist of Pavement. His lyrical style typically involves dark humor and in this song, it also veers towards sarcasm.
Video Release
Pavement released a music video for "Range Life" that depicts the band playing the song in various outdoorsy scenes, which fits the song's rural aesthetic and lyrics.
Unique Sounds
Malkmus' mid-song whistling break in "Range Life" is one of its most distinctive musical moments, setting it apart from many other indie rock tracks.
Popularity
Despite the controversy surrounding its lyrics, or possibly because of it, "Range Life" is one of Pavement's most popular songs. It often features on lists of the band's best songs and on playlists featuring the very best of '90s indie rock.
Covers
Over the years, "Range Life" has been covered by several artists, showing its popularity and influence. One of the most notable covers is by Death Cab for Cutie, an American alternative rock band.
Live-Music Appreciation
Among live music fans, "Range Life" is beloved for its extended guitar solos, which attentive listeners often look forward to during Pavement's shows.

Discuss the Range Life Lyrics with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "Range Life Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 29 Mar. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric-lf/423857/Pavement/Range+Life>.

    Missing lyrics by Pavement?

    Know any other songs by Pavement? Don't keep it to yourself!

    Watch the song video

    Range Life

    2.2M
    17,982     575

    Browse Lyrics.com

    Quiz

    Are you a music master?

    »
    What band released a song with the lyrics "Cause I was sent to warn you the devil's right beside you"?
    A Pop Evil
    B Shinedown
    C Smith & Myers
    D Silent Theory

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant explanation for any lyrics that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Pavement tracks

    On Radio Right Now

    Loading...

    Powered by OnRad.io


    Think you know music? Test your MusicIQ here!