Something I don't understand in Bad Day lyrics

[Badminton Club Ouistreham]

Hi,

Hope I'm not interfering but I'd like someone to explain to me what the St
Vitus subcommittee prize investigation dance is: I'm French and I think
there's something typically American here.
Please can you answer as soon as possible because I'm an English teacher
who'd like to work and this song with his students.
Thanx in advance.

[Christophe]

Post by Badminton Club Ouistreham
Hi,
Hope I'm not interfering but I'd like someone to explain to me what the St
Vitus subcommittee prize investigation dance is: I'm French and I think
there's something typically American here.
Please can you answer as soon as possible because I'm an English teacher
who'd like to work and this song with his students.
Thanx in advance.

from http://tony.murmurs.com/talk/showthread.php?s=&threadid=40939 ,
posted by Ethan

St. Vitus =

Legend says Vitus was the son of a pagan Sicilian senator named Hylas.
Converted to Christianity at age twelve by his tutor Saint Modestus and
his nurse Saint Crescentia. His father showed his objection by having
the three arrested and scourged.

Freed from prison by angels, they fled to Lucania, then Rome. There he
freed Emperor Diocletian's son of an evil spirit. When Vitus would not
sacrifice to the pagan gods in celebration, his cure was attributed to
sorcery, and he and his household were arrested again. Tortured, and
condemned to death, they were thrown to the lions; the lions would not
touch them, so they were thrown into boiling oil At the moment of their
deaths, a immense storm destroyed several pagan temples in the region,
hence the protection against stormy weather. One of the Fourteen Holy
Helpers.

For obscure reasons, some 16th century Germans believed they could
obtain a year's good health by dancing before the statue of Saint Vitus
on his feast day. This dancing developed almost into a mania, and was
confused with chorea, the nervous condition later known as Saint Vitus'
Dance, the saint being invoked against it. His connection with such
"dancing" led to his patronage of dancers, and later to entertainers in
general and in particular.

A rooster was thrown into the oil with him, sacrificed as part of the
ritual against sorcery. A rooster became a symbol for Vitus, and its
connection with early rising led to Vitus's patronage and protection
against oversleeping.

St. Vitus Dance (the disease)

(sid´en-hamz) a disorder of the central nervous system that is a
manifestation of "rheumatic fever" RHEUMATIC FEVER; called also Saint
Vitus dance.
The condition is usually self-limited and occurs between the ages of 5
and 15 or during pregnancy. It is characterized by irregular jerky
spasmodic movements of the voluntary muscles that cannot be controlled
by the patient. The movements may be mild or severe and frequently begin
as awkwardness and uncontrollable facial grimaces that can cause the
child considerable embarrassment. Emotional instability and extreme
nervousness usually accompany the physical symptoms.
Treatment and care are based on relief of symptoms. Complete mental and
physical rest are prescribed and mild sedatives such as phenobarbital or
one of the tranquilizers may be given to promote relaxation. The
prognosis is good and complete recovery is the rule, although the
symptoms and signs can last up to three months

[Mr. PB]

Post by Badminton Club Ouistreham
Hi,
Hope I'm not interfering but I'd like someone to explain to me what the St
Vitus subcommittee prize investigation dance is: I'm French and I think
there's something typically American here.
Please can you answer as soon as possible because I'm an English teacher
who'd like to work and this song with his students.
Thanx in advance.

from http://tony.murmurs.com/talk/showthread.php?s=&threadid=40939 ,
posted by Ethan

St. Vitus =

Legend says Vitus was the son of a pagan Sicilian senator named Hylas.
Converted to Christianity at age twelve by his tutor Saint Modestus and
his nurse Saint Crescentia. His father showed his objection by having
the three arrested and scourged.

Freed from prison by angels, they fled to Lucania, then Rome. There he
freed Emperor Diocletian's son of an evil spirit. When Vitus would not
sacrifice to the pagan gods in celebration, his cure was attributed to
sorcery, and he and his household were arrested again. Tortured, and
condemned to death, they were thrown to the lions; the lions would not
touch them, so they were thrown into boiling oil At the moment of their
deaths, a immense storm destroyed several pagan temples in the region,
hence the protection against stormy weather. One of the Fourteen Holy
Helpers.

For obscure reasons, some 16th century Germans believed they could
obtain a year's good health by dancing before the statue of Saint Vitus
on his feast day. This dancing developed almost into a mania, and was
confused with chorea, the nervous condition later known as Saint Vitus'
Dance, the saint being invoked against it. His connection with such
"dancing" led to his patronage of dancers, and later to entertainers in
general and in particular.

A rooster was thrown into the oil with him, sacrificed as part of the
ritual against sorcery. A rooster became a symbol for Vitus, and its
connection with early rising led to Vitus's patronage and protection
against oversleeping.

St. Vitus Dance (the disease)

(sid´en-hamz) a disorder of the central nervous system that is a
manifestation of "rheumatic fever" RHEUMATIC FEVER; called also Saint
Vitus dance.
The condition is usually self-limited and occurs between the ages of 5
and 15 or during pregnancy. It is characterized by irregular jerky
spasmodic movements of the voluntary muscles that cannot be controlled
by the patient. The movements may be mild or severe and frequently begin
as awkwardness and uncontrollable facial grimaces that can cause the
child considerable embarrassment. Emotional instability and extreme
nervousness usually accompany the physical symptoms.
Treatment and care are based on relief of symptoms. Complete mental and
physical rest are prescribed and mild sedatives such as phenobarbital or
one of the tranquilizers may be given to promote relaxation. The
prognosis is good and complete recovery is the rule, although the
symptoms and signs can last up to three months >>


Actually St. Vitus dance is an afflition caused by exposure to the certain
alkyloids of the ergot fungus. Symptons are as above. also accompanied by
major hallucinations similar to thos experienced in Salem Mass. during the
witch trials. One of the the more familiar alkyloids of ergot is known as
Lysergic Acid Diethylamide - 25 or LSD - 25 for short. The 25 representing the
25th distillation of Lysergic Acid. Therefore with this in mind i believe the
line refers to the old days when evryone in town would be doing acid and
dancing maniacally to the latest and greatest bop tunes.

[MBrent31]

Subject: Re: Something I don't understand in Bad Day lyrics
Date: 2/4/2004 9:05 AM Pacific Standard Time
Actually St. Vitus dance is an afflition caused by exposure to the certain
alkyloids of the ergot fungus. Symptons are as above. also accompanied by
major hallucinations similar to thos experienced in Salem Mass. during the
witch trials. One of the the more familiar alkyloids of ergot is known as
Lysergic Acid Diethylamide - 25 or LSD - 25 for short. The 25 representing the
25th distillation of Lysergic Acid. Therefore with this in mind i believe the
line refers to the old days when evryone in town would be doing acid and
dancing maniacally to the latest and greatest bop tunes.

sign me up dude!

thanks for that one, mr. pb.

michael

[Mr. PB]

<< Actually St. Vitus dance is an afflition caused by exposure to the certain

Post by Mr. PB
alkyloids of the ergot fungus. Symptons are as above. also accompanied by
major hallucinations similar to thos experienced in Salem Mass. during the
witch trials. One of the the more familiar alkyloids of ergot is known as
Lysergic Acid Diethylamide - 25 or LSD - 25 for short. The 25 representing the
25th distillation of Lysergic Acid. Therefore with this in mind i believe the
line refers to the old days when evryone in town would be doing acid and
dancing maniacally to the latest and greatest bop tunes.

sign me up dude!

thanks for that one, mr. pb.>>

As an addendum, the first time REM played Atlanta there was a dance troupe that
performed before rem played, their name was The St. Vitus Dance Company.

[edelbeb]

I majored in biochemistry during undergrad. Your explanation of the "25" in
LSD sounds incorrect. In structures of organic molecules, the carbon atoms
are numbered. While I have not had the opportunity to verify this lately,
it's likely that the "25" in LSD-25 represents the number of the carbon to
bearing the diethylamide group.

Post by Mr. PB
One of the the more familiar alkyloids of ergot is known as
Lysergic Acid Diethylamide - 25 or LSD - 25 for short. The 25

representing the

Post by Mr. PB
25th distillation of Lysergic Acid

[Jperdue4]

Post by edelbeb
I majored in biochemistry during undergrad. Your explanation of the "25" in
LSD sounds incorrect. In structures of organic molecules, the carbon atoms
are numbered. While I have not had the opportunity to verify this lately,
it's likely that the "25" in LSD-25 represents the number of the
carbon to
bearing the diethylamide group.

You can find out here, the greatest drug info site ive ever seen..Lots of
documentation etc. No spin , just facts about drugs..
www.erowid.com

JonP
"That's just what i need...
a good woman to kick
my butt now and then"
Bob Dylan

[Mr. PB]

<< I majored in biochemistry during undergrad. Your explanation of the "25" in
LSD sounds incorrect. In structures of organic molecules, the carbon atoms
are numbered. While I have not had the opportunity to verify this lately,
it's likely that the "25" in LSD-25 represents the number of the carbon to
bearing the diethylamide group.

Post by Mr. PB
One of the the more familiar alkyloids of ergot is known as
Lysergic Acid Diethylamide - 25 or LSD - 25 for short. The 25

representing the

Post by Mr. PB
25th distillation of Lysergic Acid >>

From The erowid.com Web site

"The term LSD comes from the initials of the German for lysergic acid
diethylamide, or Lysersäure Diethylamid. The number "25" following it has many
myths attached to it, such as it was the 25th form of LSD that Hofmann tried,
or it was his 25th attempt to make LSD. From my own experience with chemical
companies that are allied with pharmaceutical houses, I had assumed that the
chemical name (which might be a mouthful for the pharmacologist) was simply
replaced with a pronounceable code number equivalent. But the answer here is
yet simpler. Hofmann, in his LSD, My Problem Child wrote: "In 1938, I produced
the twenty fifth substance in a series of lysergic acid "

[Mr. PB]

<< << I majored in biochemistry during undergrad. Your explanation of the "25"
in
LSD sounds incorrect. In structures of organic molecules, the carbon atoms
are numbered. While I have not had the opportunity to verify this lately,
it's likely that the "25" in LSD-25 represents the number of the carbon to
bearing the diethylamide group.

Post by Mr. PB
One of the the more familiar alkyloids of ergot is known as
Lysergic Acid Diethylamide - 25 or LSD - 25 for short. The 25

representing the

Post by Mr. PB
25th distillation of Lysergic Acid >>

From The erowid.com Web site

"The term LSD comes from the initials of the German for lysergic acid
diethylamide, or Lysersäure Diethylamid. The number "25" following it has many
myths attached to it, such as it was the 25th form of LSD that Hofmann tried,
or it was his 25th attempt to make LSD. From my own experience with chemical
companies that are allied with pharmaceutical houses, I had assumed that the
chemical name (which might be a mouthful for the pharmacologist) was simply
replaced with a pronounceable code number equivalent. But the answer here is
yet simpler. Hofmann, in his LSD, My Problem Child wrote: "In 1938, I produced
the twenty fifth substance in a series of lysergic acid " >>

Opps i forgot part of it.

"In 1938, I produced the twenty fifth substance in a series of lysergic acid
derivatives: lysergic acid diethylamide, abbreviated LSD-25 ... for laboratory
usage."

[WorldLdr]

Actually I have heard the term St. Vitus Dance used most often to describe
Huntington's disease which is a degenerative disease characterized by
involuntary or spasmodic movement of the muscles. This disease runs in my
grandmother's family (thankfully she is not afflicted) and can be very sad to
watch (if you have a parent with the disease your chances of getting it are
50/50). Symptom onset is usually around age 35 and the person can live for as
many as another 30 years slowly losing control of all muscles. Problem is until
the early 90s there was not a test to tell you if you were going to have this
disease, so many people already had children when they began manifesting
symptoms. Anyway....

I found it interesting though to see there are other meanings to the term.

Missy

[Ron Henry]

Post by Badminton Club Ouistreham
Hope I'm not interfering but I'd like someone to explain to me what the St
Vitus subcommittee prize investigation dance is: I'm French and I think
there's something typically American here.
Please can you answer as soon as possible because I'm an English teacher
who'd like to work and this song with his students.
Thanx in advance.

First of all, it's good to keep in mind that in "Bad Day" the rhyming
and word-play are as important to the lyric as the actual dictionary
meaning of the terms. Anyhow, I assume you're wondering about the lines:

Have you ever seen the televised
St. Vitus subcommittee prize
investigation dance?

I think it's meant to invoke the image of televised official
investigations (which are usually conducted by a "subcommittee" of some
government organization, think Iran Contra, or Whitewater) where the
Senators and Representatives get so worked up they shake and stammer as
if they suffer from some terrible nervous disorder (like "St. Vitus
Dance" which causes patients to lose control of their actions and get
palsy).

Like the rest of the song, the lines are another snapshot portrait of
hypocrisy, and of things gone out of control, particularly on the level
of what gets reported by the media -- and to paint the picture Stipe has
used rhyming catchy language (as he did in "It's the End of the World",
which itself is a nod to Bob Dylan's lyrics, especially "Subterranean
Homesick Blues").

Hope this helps,
Ron

[Badminton Club Ouistreham]

Post by Badminton Club Ouistreham

Post by Badminton Club Ouistreham
Hope I'm not interfering but I'd like someone to explain to me what

the St

Post by Badminton Club Ouistreham
Vitus subcommittee prize investigation dance is: I'm French and I

think

Post by Badminton Club Ouistreham
there's something typically American here.
Please can you answer as soon as possible because I'm an English

teacher

Post by Badminton Club Ouistreham
who'd like to work and this song with his students.
Thanx in advance.

First of all, it's good to keep in mind that in "Bad Day" the rhyming
and word-play are as important to the lyric as the actual dictionary
Have you ever seen the televised
St. Vitus subcommittee prize
investigation dance?
I think it's meant to invoke the image of televised official
investigations (which are usually conducted by a "subcommittee" of some
government organization, think Iran Contra, or Whitewater) where the
Senators and Representatives get so worked up they shake and stammer as
if they suffer from some terrible nervous disorder (like "St. Vitus
Dance" which causes patients to lose control of their actions and get
palsy).
Like the rest of the song, the lines are another snapshot portrait of
hypocrisy, and of things gone out of control, particularly on the level
of what gets reported by the media -- and to paint the picture Stipe has
used rhyming catchy language (as he did in "It's the End of the World",
which itself is a nod to Bob Dylan's lyrics, especially "Subterranean
Homesick Blues").
Hope this helps,
Ron

Thanx a lot for all those useful explanations: I now feel more comfortable
with the fact of working on this particular song.
Hope my students will appreciate both the song and the lyrics.
I'll let you know.