Slowdive
Siouxsie and the Banshees Lyrics
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Shake it all around, a dirty sound
Get your knees into your face
And see if you can race real slow
It's a slow dive
When you dive slow
Ah, it's a low jive
Do the slow dive
Get your head down to the ground
And shake it all around, a dirty sound
Get your knees into your face
And see if you can race real slow
Now you jump back like a hound
Emit a howling sound
Dig those limbs into the floor
And holler out for more
And you revel in the dips
When your backbone slips
Takin' honeysuckle sips
From your rollin' hips
It shifts and shifts
It's a slow dive
(Slow dive)
When you dive slow
It's a low jive
Do the slow dive
It's a slow dive (slow dive)
When you come alive
It's a low jive
Do the slow dive
Slow dive, slow dive
Do the slow dive
Slow dive, slow dive
Do the slow dive
Slow dive, slow dive
When you dive slow
When you come alive
It's a low jive
Do the slow dive
Do the slow dive
Slow dive, uh
Get your head down to the ground
And shake it all around, a dirty sound
Get your knees into your face
And see if you can race real slow
It's a slow dive
When you dive slow
Oh, it's a low jive
Do the slow dive
The lyrics of "Slowdive" by Siouxsie and the Banshees are enigmatic and intriguing, leaving much room for interpretation. At first glance, the song appears to be about dance, movement, and bodily expression. The singer encourages the listener to "git [their] head down to the ground" and "shake it all around, a dirty sound," using their legs and hips to propel themselves in a slow and sensual rhythm. The repeated refrain of "It's a Slow Dive, when ya dive slow" reinforces this idea of a languid, deliberate movement that is more about feeling and sensation than speed or technique.
However, there are also hints of something darker or more ominous lurking beneath the surface of the song. References to hounds, howling, and digging one's limbs into the floor suggest a kind of primal, animalistic energy that is both thrilling and terrifying. The line "Takin' honeysuckle sips from yer rollin' hips" could be read as a metaphor for indulging in pleasure or temptation, while "When yer backbone slips" could connote a loss of control or a descent into chaos. Overall, the lyrics of "Slowdive" seem to be about the way that moving one's body can tap into deep, primal senses and emotions, both light and dark.
Line by Line Meaning
Git yer head down to the ground
Bend your head downwards towards the ground
Shake it all around, a dirty sound.
Move your head in various directions producing a gritty noise
Git yer knees into yer face
Bend your knees towards your face
And see if you can race real slow
Try to move slowly in a race-like manner
It's a slow dive
The dive is meant to be taken slowly
When ya dive slow.
The slow dive is done at a leisurely pace
Aw it's a low jive
It's a cool and mellow way to move
Do the Slowdive.
Perform the slow dive
Now ya jump back like a hound
Move backwards quickly like a dog
Emit a howling sound
Make a loud expression of strong feeling
Dig those limbs into the floor!
Plant your arms and legs firmly into the ground
And holler out for more!
Shout loudly for more excitement
And ya revel in the dips
Enjoy the downward movements
When yer backbone slips
When your spine moves smoothly
Takin' honeysuckle sips
Sipping on something sweet like honeysuckle
From yer rollin' hips
Using your swaying hips to move
It shifts and shifts
The movement keeps changing
It's a Slow Dive!
Reinforcing that the movement is slow
Slow dive!
Repeating the name of the dance
When ya dive slow!
Reminding the listener to move slowly during the dance
It's a Low Jive!
The dance is relaxed and calm
Do the Slow Dive!
Encouraging the listener to join in the movements
When you come alive!
When you start feeling the music and moving with it
Do the Slow Dive
Repeating the name of the dance to emphasize it
Git yer head down to the ground
Repeating the verse from earlier
And shake it all around a dirty sound.
Repeating the same movement but with different words
It's a Slow Dive
Reinforcing that the dance is slow
When ya dive slow
Reminding the listener to move slowly
Awhh it's a low jive
The dance is mellow and relaxed
Do the Slow dive
Encouraging the listener to continue dancing slowly
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: John Mcgeoch, Peter Clarke, Steven Bailey, Susan Ballion
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Git yer head down to the ground
Shake it all around, a dirty sound.
Git yer knees into yer face
And see if you can race real slow
It's a slow dive
When ya dive slow.
Aw it's a low jive
Do the Slowdive.
Git yer head down to the ground
Shake it all around a dirty sound.
Git yer knees into yer face
And see if you can race real slow
Now ya jump back like a hound
Emit a howling sound
Dig those limbs into the floor!
And holler out for more!
And ya revel in the dips
When yer backbone slips
Takin' honeysuckle sips
From yer rollin' hips
It shifts and shifts
It's a Slow Dive!
Slow dive!
When ya dive slow!
It's a Low Jive!
Do the Slow dive!
It's a Slow Dive!
Slow dive!
When ya come alive
It's a low jive
Do the Slow Dive!
Slow dive!
Slow dive!
Do the Slow Dive
Slow dive!
Slow dive!
Do the Slow Dive
Slow dive!
Slow dive!
When you dive slow
When ya come alive!
It's a low jive
Do the Slow Dive
Do the slow dive
Slow dive!
Uh
Git yer head down to the ground
And shake it all around a dirty sound.
Git yer knees into yer face
And see if you can race real slow.
It's a Slow Dive
When ya dive slow
Awhh it's a low jive
Do the Slow dive
stuey Last
Nobody will ever come close to her styles she was and still is streets ahead of any female artist ever a pure genius
cath salazar
Yes as well as Nina Hagan! Sings Smack Jack! Luv it, do u??? Fave females then & Kate Bush! Cheers from🇺🇸❤️👍🔥
Trevor Loughlin
Bjork is a contender. But the Banshees were more than the sum of their parts, a bit like the Bunnymen or Chameleons.
cath salazar
@Trevor Loughlin ah yes theses two outstanding bands. Was so lucky to see Bunnymen several times in my area, & hag out after crowd, glad he’s still touring. Unfortunately my favorite Talk Talk became my fave still today just never got recognized here in 🇺🇸, very few gigs in 🇺🇸. Glad to have 80’s music. Still my fave time. And glad some still tour etc.
Brain
calm down
stuey Last
@Brain ok brian or whatever your called 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Mayo Velvo
"Gothic-Disco" at its best! Priceless Being a fan from 1978 onwards she really took me/us on a marvellous journey - and she/they definitely knew when the party was over for S&Bs to bow out with grace, respect!
MassiveGat
I could watch Siouxsie move forever. She's mesmerizing
Methodical Mystic Butterfly Intuitive LLC
Yep! ❤
Cicero Meridius-Decimus
My female idol at 14. Now at 47...she will always be my Gothic Queen.