Viva Wisconsin Song Facts

• Title: Viva Wisconsin Song Facts
• Author: Violent Femmes
• Publication: www.Vfemmes.com
• Date: 06-09-2000

Following the release of "Viva Wisconsin" The Femmes published  "Viva Wisconsin Song Fact" on their official Website:

Prove My Love
This song was the first one the band used this particular beat on, but they've used it many times since!

I'm Nothing
Originally written for the movie "Reality Bites" but Ethan Hawke was afraid to sing it. What a wimp!

Country Death Song
Gordon wrote during the course of a school day, one verse per class. He played it for Brian that week, and forgot about it. Brian reminded him of it years later and they added it to the Femmes repertoire. This song is most frequently cited as the Femmes best song by other musicians.

Blister In The Sun
Written about a bald woman.

Gimme The Car
This is the first song Gordon and Brian performed together. They played at Gordon's National Honor Society induction ceremony. Gimme the Car caused a riot and Gordon was expelled from school and the Honor Society.

Don't Talk About My Music
Written by the band's bus driver, Dominic Placco, with new words by Brian, this song dates back to 1969.

Confessions
Many people are confused about the title of this song. They think it is called "People Worry" or "Hack it Apart".

Hallowed Ground
Nuclear.

Life is An Adventure
Previously unreleased in the U.S. and Europe. A studio version appears on the Australia only "Rock!!!!!!!" CD.

Old Mother Reagan
Naming an airport after Reagan is similar to naming an airport after Adolf Hitler.

Ugly

Good Feeling
About using drugs.

Dahmer Is Dead
Original news reports had Dahmer meeting his end by broomstick, but this turned out to be erroneous. It was a metal pipe.

American Music
MTV objected to the phrase "Did you use too many drugs? I used too many drugs."

Special
Inspired by Tennesee Ernie Ford

Sweet Worlds of Angels
This is the first release of this song in the U.S., although it is one of the earliest songs performed by the band in it's live shows.

Black Girls
Many people are offended by this song. Notice the fine drum solo by Guy Hoffman.

Gone Daddy Gone
Brian decided to use xylophone on this song as a tribute to Rolling Stones multi-instrumentalist Brian Jones.

Add It Up
One common misconception about this song is that it is about incest.

Kiss Off
About using drugs.