What's Your Virtue?
Bear Quartet · Holy Holy [1995]
This desperate running out of time
Where time's a wreck
Falling through emotions
With too much catching up to do
Please believe
Me bitterness is not my only virtue
One of two
But you knew that, didn't you
There are moments of good endings
But far too few
Let's take our bicycles and ride
I'm sticking with you
I've read between the lines
Far too long, it's not paying off
The substance is gone
Your luck came to an abrupt end
Well, so did mine at the age of nine
Please forgive me
Bitterness is not my only virtue
One of two
But you knew that, didn't you
There are moments of good endings
But far too few
Let's take our bicycles and ride
Like good friends do
There are moments of good endings
But far too few
Let's take our bicycles and ride
It's up to you
Something was wrong at an early age
So little a creature
But consumed by uncontrollable rage
Born with teeth
And a thorn in everybody's side
Line 'em up and roll 'em in
Everybody with a glass chin
No one's gonna run me out
But everybody ran me out
As a sucker for the D.I.Y. concept
I went to your show last night
Your gang was trashing the stage
And you had the starglimpse in your eye
But I'm sad to say: your ways
Will never make your records sell
They'll line you up and roll you in
Everybody with a glass chin everything will run you out
And I'm a living proof of that
Born with teeth
And a thorn in everybody's side
Line 'em up and roll 'em in
Everybody with a glass chin
No one's gonna run me out
But everybody ran me out
What's Your Virtue?
Released on the 1995 album Holy Holy, "What's Your Virtue?" by Bear Quartet stands as a defining track in the post-punk revival of the mid-1990s. The song exemplifies the band's signature blend of raw energy, driving rhythms, and lyrical introspection that characterized their work during this pivotal era. Often associated with the broader gay icon movement, the track captures the tension between vulnerability and defiance found in their discography. Its enduring appeal lies in its ability to cut through with a direct, unadorned sound that resonates with listeners seeking authenticity in their music. As a key component of their catalog, it remains a staple for those exploring the sonic landscape of 1990s alternative rock.