14

Lyrics

You got an arm You got a needle You do no harm I kill a Beatle John, George, Ringo, or Paul It really doesn't matter at all

The guillotine of '45 That is what I made my wife

Cut off the heads of your imperialistic shithead Send my royalties to where I sit Shit, la la la Means I love you Shit, la la la la Means I love you

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14

You've got an arm You've got a needle You do no harm I kill a Beatle John, George, Ringo, or Paul It really doesn't matter at all

The guillotine of '45 That is what I made my wife

Cut off the heads of your imperialistic shit Send my royalties to where I sit Shit, la la la Means I love you Shit, la la la la Means I love you Shit, la la Means I love you

Writers: Mayo Thompson, Albert Oehlen, Werner Büttner

Chronology

• 14
  • Mayo Thompson - vocals, guitar
  • David Grubbs - guitar
  • John McEntire - drums
  • Singles
• The first section also appears in "Come on Down" on Fingerpainting

Interpretations

• Originally titled "Song to GEMA" ("Gesellschaft für musikalische Aufführungs- und mechanische Vervielfältigungsrechte" [Society for musical performing and mechanical reproduction rights])
• "Shit la la la means I love you" is a reference to Barry White's "Sha La La Means I Love You" (1978)
• Possibly making a connection between monarchical royalty and royalty payments in the music industry

Live recordings

Show
October 4, 1994
The Red Krayola in Tokyo	video
January 11, 1995
April 21, 2000	video
March 20, 2005