Album: Them Crooked Vultures (2009)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Arthur Magazine asked guitarist/vocalist Josh Homme and bass guitarist John Paul Jones what the most frustrating thing is about being in Them Crooked Vultures. Homme replied citing this druggy, acoustic-backed blues number: "Learning some of the songs. Learning the song 'Reptiles' is frustrating. It's not even that the parts are difficult, it's that they're so contrary, there's so many… [looking at Jones] You're a trained organist: that's five things playing at once! I'm a guitarist, that's two things."
    Jones responded: "But you're singing at the same time, I could never do any of that."
    Homme added: "And they both have to be done with feeling, or it's just not that good. So being able to let both sides of your brain do stuff, that's been the frustrating part for me."
  • Homme wasn't the only band member to be frustrated by this heavily grooved number. Drummer Dave Grohl admitted to The Sun November 20, 2009: "I only started understanding that song three weeks ago. It's f---ing insane. Josh said he wanted me to hear all the different beats playing on one stereo and so I sat there as the guinea pig, with headphones on. Man, I was so p---ed off that day. I was mad. I was in the worst f---ing mood because I didn't get the song - but I do now."

Comments: 1

  • Ryan from Austin, TxLove the comments from Dave! At the end of their Austin City Limits show they talk about how they met, too. Check it out on PBS!! They killed it....
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Oliver Leiber

Oliver LeiberSongwriter Interviews

Oliver Leiber talks about writing and producing hits for Paula Abdul, and explains his complicated relationship with his father, the songwriter Jerry Leiber.

Tom Johnston from The Doobie Brothers

Tom Johnston from The Doobie BrothersSongwriter Interviews

The Doobies guitarist and lead singer, Tom wrote the classics "Listen To The Music," "Long Train Runnin'" and "China Grove."

Stephen Christian of Anberlin

Stephen Christian of AnberlinSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer/lyricist for Anberlin breaks down "Impossible" and covers some tracks from their 2012 album Vital.

Sarah Brightman

Sarah BrightmanSongwriter Interviews

One of the most popular classical vocalists in the land is lining up a trip to space, which is the inspiration for many of her songs.

Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple Pilots

Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple PilotsSongwriter Interviews

Stone Temple Pilots bass player Robert DeLeo names the songs that have most connected with fans and tells the stories behind tracks from their Tiny Music album.

Benny Mardones

Benny MardonesSongwriter Interviews

His song "Into The Night" is one of the most-played of all time. For Benny, it took him to hell and back.