The Bronze

This song has probably the greatest guitar solo ever. NO-ONE can make a guitar sound like that, 'cept for our buddy josh. the best part is at 1:53 into the song.

This song has long intrigued me. The opening verse is in line with both Homme’s tongue and cheek sense of humor and lyrical motif regarding sex. “Waiting under things that rise in the morning,” is a perfect description of waking up with morning-wood (if you sleep on your back). “Holding back so long,” and “waiting” have connotations that this poor bastard who suffers of morning-wood has also been suffering through a sexual dry spell. Then the line, “take it off my hands, do me a favor” which obviously hints at getting laid, or serviced in some way sexually (lets hope he is getting laid—hand jobs are lame). The matter (i.e. dick) is no longer in his own hands and he is much obliged. Then comes the eloquent “fingerfucked” lyric; which serves to continue the theme. Then the second verse happens. Homme goes all existential. Of course, there is a parallel between getting laid and “where it was I started from.” It is as though the sexual encounter has liberated the mind of the morning-wood man (a vice versa of a certain Seinfeld episode). He can now ponder the nature of the universe—in a manner that may not have been possible before. The last line: “The more you’ve found, the less you’ve been around” has Platonic implications. Socratic wisdom comes from the cognizance of the individual’s own ignorance—knowing that you are unwise is what makes one wise. This is the implication of the last line of the song and it keeps with the second verse’s existential questions and validates a Platonic/Socratic philosophical view of the world.

First off, the entire self-titled debut, "Queens Of The Stone Age" and even the EP, "Kyuss/Queens Of The Stone Age," on its own, are some of the two greatest albums of the 90's in my opinion. Josh Homme and Nick Oliveri have spoken their views on the song in interviews back in the day.

In conclusion, the initial motif or gist of the Bonus Track is the more "he" (Josh, most likely in this case) discovers about himself, the more complications he has in his life, which turns the so called gold life into the bronze life, which he wants to redeem but can't because he dug a hole with no escape to get out.

Firstly, what a great guitar intro by Josh, based on the B Augmented chord, followed by the amazing riff in C# tuning.

"I been waiting Waiting under things that rise in the morning" QOTSA are very inclined to metaphor sex, drugs, and adultery into their lyrics, with this one in particular referencing a night that was most likely forgotten due to circumstances ranging from being under the influence and using drugs such as marijuana or methamphetamine, causing temporary memory loss or feeling nonetheless empty. When he wakes up, he realized he masturbated and is covered in his own ejaculation, ironically, because if he was that uncomfortable he would've woken, but knowing his life is in pieces from constant neglect, sex, and heavy drug use. he goes on to live another day.

"I been holding Holding back so long" He is realizing there is more to do and more to search for in his life, and he's holding himself back from this future, knowing sure well that he will never change.

"You can own it Take it off my hands, do me a favor" Wanting redemption, he wants to find a way to escape this life, which isn't gold or perfect (Song Title Que) like they feel you when you are a child or when you reach the age of adulthood. Responsibilities come and kill you in the way you'd least expect it.

"Nothin' wasted Just finger fucked and busted up all at once" He wants nothing to do with himself changing, and another subliminal reference from Josh, the "finger f__ked" line, creates the symbolism that everything is messy or distinguishably unhealthy, and he really needs to find the grasp of a life not partying until he passes out of intoxication or until he dies of a narcotic or heroin overdose.

"I'm so lost out on the highway With no direction left to go Everyday sit up and wonder Where it was I started from" He is lost and abandoned. He has no home, love, or title to be proclaimed or proud of. No matter what happens, nothing will change and he feels he needs to escape even though he has no strength or pulse to own up to his ill, forbidden life.

"The more you've found, the less you've been around." (Great ending and repetitive line by Josh) The more he discovers about himself, the more complications he has in his life.

My favourite Queens song and just one of my favourite songs in general. Just...wow.

"I went for gold, but only got the bronze"

• Nick

that guitar is fucking amazing.

the guitar in this song is amazing. to me this song talks about wasted potential

Can't believe this was hidden away as a B-side on Stone Age Complications. It's an awesome song!

Yeah it is. I wish it was on a more content filled cd. as for meaning. "fingerfucked" sort of gives an idea...

This song rules. Mach, the solo really kicks in at 1:51. Heh. It sounds like he has a little wah on it with low-tone fuzz. That's the shit I want. What a great fucking song. Jesus Christ.