Formed in Cincinnati in 1986, Greg Dulli (vocals, rhythm guitar), Rick McCollum (lead guitar), John Curley (bass), and Steve Earle (drums -- not to be confused with country musician Steve Earle) .
In 1988, they released their debut album Big Top Halloween on their own Ultrasuede label. The album caught the attention and imagination of the independent music community and the band soon signed to Sub Pop of Seattle in 1989. Sub Pop's signing of the Afghan Whigs created quite a stir at the time as they were the first non-Northwestern U.S. band to record for the label.
In 1990, their first Sub Pop release Up in It was released; the blistering pace and yowling, effects-heavy guitars on tracks like "White Trash Party" gave no hint of the stylistic about-face to come. It was followed by a limited edition single released by No.6 Records under the name The Ornament.
With the critically acclaimed 1992 album Congregation and a limited covers EP, Uptown Avondale, the band adopted what would become their signature soul-influenced sound.
Soon the Afghan Whigs signed to a major label, Elektra Records, and in 1993 released another critically acclaimed album, Gentlemen. Although the singles “Debonair” and “Gentlemen” were fairly popular, the album failed to launch the band into the mainstream.
Beside regular appearances on MTV's playlists, their track "Fountain and Fairfax" also appeared on the television series My So-Called Life in 1994.
Despite personnel problems interfering with recording and touring, 1996 saw the band release the noir-influenced Black Love (the album featured Paul Buchignani on drums in place of Steve Earle). Although the main subject matter in previous releases were liquor-drenched obsession, secrets and misery, Black Love was a step into a more dark, even seedier and complex side of Dulli’s persona.
In 1996, Greg Dulli served as executive producer for the soundtrack for the Ted Demme film Beautiful Girls. the Afghan Whigs appeared in the film as a bar band and contributed two songs to the soundtrack (Frederick Knight’s "Be For Real" and Barry White's "Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe").
In 1998, the Afghan Whigs released their 6th album, 1965, on Columbia Records (Michael Horrigan, former Love Cowboys bassist replaced Buchignani). The album saw the band on inspired form. Sadly, it was the band's last full-length album of original material.
Despite reports that the band had started work on their 7th album, the Afghan Whigs announced their split in 2001, citing the strain of geographic distance between members as the reason.
In 2006, the Afghan Whigs temporarily reunited. The ‘1965’ lineup (Dulli, McCollum, Curley, Horrigan) recorded two new tracks ("I’m A Soldier" and "Magazine") which are featured on their retrospective titled Unbreakable (A Retrospective) which was released in June 2007.
In December 2011, the band announced that it would be appearing at All Tomorrow's Parties' renowned I'll Be Your Mirror festival on May 25-27, 2012 in London, England. As well, Dulli will serve as the curator, and the Whigs the headliner, for ATP's stateside edition on September 22nd, 2012 in Asbury Park, New Jersey; further dates continue to be announced, including major summer-festival headlining spots at Spain's Primavera, among others. Drummer Cully Symington (Okkervil River, Gutter Twins) and multi-instrumentalist Rick Nelson (Polyphonic Spree, Twilight Singers) will join Curley, Dulli, and McCollum for all shows, which will feature songs from the entire span of the Afghan Whigs repertoire, along with a few new surprises and songs never before played live.
These developments provided both surprise and relief for the group's members. "The pressure is really nonexistent, because we're playing songs that we've already completed - that we already know," Dulli says. "Those songs still resonate with me; in fact, they have always resonated with me. I imagine there will be people who never saw the band before, too, and that's exciting." "It will be nice to experience the Whigs again as a grown-up," jokes Curley. "In my mind, the Whigs were a live band above anything else. Playing shows always was our favorite part about being in the band, and the times when we felt the most freedom and release. I missed playing at that level; I missed playing the songs that we wrote, that meant so much to people - and to us." (from www.theafghanwhigs.com History). In 2014 they released "Do to the Beast" and performed in Ireland, Israel, and the U.S.
My Curse
Afghan Whigs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I flinch so when you do
Your kisses scourge me
Hyssop in your perfume
Oh, I do not fear you
And slave I only use
As a word to describe the special way I feel for you
And I look like no one else
We need no other
As long as we have ourselves
But I won't cry about it
Every time you get obsessed
Every time I came undressed
All ugly thoughts are gone
I'm sure we'll all be friends
I'll try to break your back
You'll try to make amends
Curse softly to me baby
And smother me in your love
Temptation comes not from hell but from above
And there's blood on my teeth
When I bite my tongue to speak
Zip me down, kiss me there
I can smile now
You won't find out ever
Hurt me baby
I flinch so when you do
Your kisses scourge me
Hyssop in your perfume
Oh I do not fear you
And slave I only use as a word to describe
The way I feel when I'm with you
If I have to lie about it everytime I came undressed
The lyrics in Afghan Whigs' song "My Curse" showcase the complex and tumultuous nature of a toxic relationship. The singer is deeply affected by their partner's actions, flinching and feeling pain when they are hurt by them. However, despite this, the singer does not fear their partner and instead describes themselves as a slave to them. This language points towards the strong emotional hold that the partner has over the singer, despite the negative experiences they have had in the relationship.
The lyrics also allude to the physical and sexual aspects of the relationship, with the singer mentioning that their partner's kisses "scourge" them and the mention of undressing. However, there is a sense of conflict and turmoil here as well, with the singer suggesting that they want to hurt their partner in return for the pain they have caused.
Overall, "My Curse" is a powerful and emotionally charged exploration of a dysfunctional relationship. Its lyrics dive deep into the complex feelings that come with loving someone who is also capable of causing immense pain.
Line by Line Meaning
You hurt me baby
I am emotionally vulnerable to you, and you have caused me pain.
I flinch so when you do
Your actions and words strongly affect me, and I react in a physical manner.
Your kisses scourge me
Your affection is intense and overwhelming, almost like a punishment.
Hyssop in your perfume
Your scent is both alluring and deeply medicinal, suggesting that your presence is both pleasurable and healing.
Oh, I do not fear you
Despite the pain and vulnerability I have experienced, I am not afraid of you.
And slave I only use
I use the term 'slave' only to describe the unique and intense power dynamic between us.
As a word to describe the special way I feel for you
The term 'slave' is not used in a derogatory sense, but rather, to convey the depth and intensity of my emotions towards you.
You look like me
There is a strong physical resemblance between us, suggesting that we are similar at a fundamental level.
And I look like no one else
Despite our resemblance, there is something unique and singular about my appearance that sets me apart from others.
We need no other
Our connection is so strong that we have no need for external validation or support.
As long as we have ourselves
Our bond is self-sufficient and self-sustaining, requiring no outside influences or factors.
But I won't cry about it
Despite any pain or hurt caused by our relationship, I will not let it bring me to tears or weaken my resolve.
Every time you get obsessed
Whenever you become fixated on me or our relationship, it causes me anxiety and discomfort.
Every time I came undressed
Whenever we are intimate or vulnerable with one another, it causes me anxiety and discomfort.
All ugly thoughts are gone
When we are together, all negative or harmful thoughts are cast aside or forgotten.
I'm sure we'll all be friends
Despite any difficulties we may face, I am confident that we will always have a bond and connection with one another.
I'll try to break your back
At times, I will try to assert myself or dominate you in our relationship.
You'll try to make amends
In response to my attempts at dominance or control, you will try to find ways to repair or improve our connection.
Curse softly to me baby
At moments of intimacy or emotional intensity, we may express ourselves through profanity or strong language.
And smother me in your love
Our affection and connection is intense and suffocating, but in a positive and pleasurable manner.
Temptation comes not from hell but from above
The intensity and allure of our relationship is not negative or harmful, but rather, something transcendent or divine.
And there's blood on my teeth
The intensity and passion of our relationship has physical effects on me, manifesting in the form of blood on my teeth as I try to speak.
When I bite my tongue to speak
The pain and intensity of our connection may sometimes make it difficult for me to express myself verbally.
Zip me down, kiss me there
Our relationship is passionate and intimate, and may involve physical acts such as undressing and kissing in private moments.
I can smile now
Despite any difficulties or pain caused by our relationship, I am able to find joy and happiness in our connection.
You won't find out ever
I may keep certain thoughts or feelings hidden from you, even as we maintain a strong connection.
Hurt me baby
Our relationship is intense and at times painful, but this does not detract from the pleasure and connection we experience together.
Your kisses scourge me
Your affection is both pleasurable and overwhelming, leaving me feeling both scorched and elated.
Hyssop in your perfume
Your scent is intoxicating and almost medicinal in its potency, making me feel simultaneously soothed and stimulated.
Oh I do not fear you
Despite the intensity and complexity of our relationship, I have no fear or apprehension towards you.
And slave I only use as a word to describe
The term 'slave' is not used in a literal sense, but rather, as a metaphor for the power dynamic and intensity of our connection.
The way I feel when I'm with you
The depth and intensity of my emotions towards you are a fundamental and consistent aspect of our relationship.
If I have to lie about it everytime I came undressed
Even when our relationship is intimate and vulnerable, there may be an element of deceit or concealment involved in order to maintain our connection or protect ourselves.
Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: GREG DULLI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Clairvoyant666
Lyrics:
You hurt me baby
I flinch so when you do
Your kisses scourge me
Hyssop in your perfume
Oh, I do not fear you
And "slave" I only use
As a word to describe
The special way I feel for you
You look like me
And I look like no one else
We need no other
As long as we have ourselves
But I won't cry about it
Every time you get obsessed
Every time I came undressed
All ugly thoughts are gone
I'm sure we'll all be friends
I'll try to break your back
You'll try to make amends
Curse softly to me baby
And smother me in your love
Temptation comes not from hell but from above
And there's blood on my teeth
When I bite my tongue to speak
Zip me down, kiss me there
I can smile now
You won't find out ever
Hurt me baby
I flinch so when you do
Your kisses scourge me
Hyssop in your perfume
Oh I do not fear you
And "slave" I only use as a word to describe
The way I feel when I'm with you
If I have to lie about it every time I came undressed
Lawrence Leong
Still incredible after all these years. Greg is a genius for writing this song and Marcy took it to a whole new level. What a song!
Ron Barry
1000%
Marion Cobretti
hands down, best song by The Afghan Whigs.
Joash Halevi
Totally agree buddy
3LD
The fact that as good as this song is with Dulli on vocals, he was able to set his ego aside & recognize it would be even better with Mays on vocals makes the claim Dulli is a genius undeniable.
ThePeteybee
a fantastic mix of sinister and pain served up like only the Whigs can. The grossest display of underrated that music has to offer, the Afghan Whigs not only titillate lyrically, but their melodies are astounding. I have to listen to most song twice just to filter the depth. shame on the music industry for not making this band a household name.
conjured_up_skeletons
Damn boy, you write for a rock music magazine??
Kasten Chase
@conjured_up_skeletons A household name? haha
Hazer Collins
And then again with Ani Defanco with twilight singers... that was pure joy
Chris Hall
I saw her come out on stage at a Whigs show in Columbus in 1994. She is absolutely spellbinding. This is a perfect song. From a perfect album. Congrats to Greg and crew for keeping this tradition alive.