Firefly
Firefly is the eighth track from The Residents' thirteenth studio album, The Big Bubble.
According to the in-universe album credits for The Big Bubble, "Firefly" was written by Frank Leone and Ramsey Whiten. Leone is the fictional guitarist of The Big Bubble, and Ramsey is the lead vocalist and percussionist.
Background
The song is sung from the perspective of the fictional band The Big Bubble, created for The Residents' Mole Trilogy saga. Existing several generations following the events of Mark of the Mole, The Big Bubble is made up of mixed-race descendants of both Moles and Chubs. Despite much of The Big Bubble being performed in the outlawed language of the Moles, "Firefly" is sung entirely in English.
"Firefly" was later one of three Big Bubble songs to be included on the Hit the Road Jack 12" EP, the other two being the title track, and a live version of "Cry for the Fire".
The song was covered by the band Mooseheart Faith for the Residents tribute album, Eyesore: A Stab at The Residents.
Lyrics
Firefly used to fly low Those firefies used to fly low Those firefies fly too high Those firefies fly too high
One came low but it was too dark One came low but it was too dark Between the flashes it was too dark Between the flashes it was too dark And I was too slow
Fireflies used to fly low Those firefies used to fly low Those firefies used to fly low Those firefies used to fly low Those firefies...
Fly low Fly low Fly low Fly low Fly low Fly low Fly... Fly low Fly low Fly low Fly low Fly low
Credits
- Written and Performed by: The Residents
- Producers: The Cryptic Corporation
Fake Credits
- Ramsey Whiten: Vocals, percussion
- Frank Leone: Electric guitar
- Paul Sage: Grand Piano, String syntheziser
- Alex Beason: Electric guitar
Appearances
- The Big Bubble (1985)
- Hit The Road Jack (Special Almost Dance Mix) (1987)
- Mole Box (2019)
