Taking their name from the number of Susans in the line up, Band of Susans released one EP - Blessing and Curse - on Poss's own Trace Elements label before being signed to Mute Records's Blast First imprint for their first album Hope Against Hope. After the release, Rogers, Lyall and Tallman quit to be replaced by Karen Haglof (guitar) and Page Hamilton (guitar). After a second album - Love Agenda - and a Peel Sessions EP the two new members quit (Hamilton to form Helmet) and were replaced by Anne Husick (guitar) and Mark Lonergan (guitar), forming the line up which made three more albums and one EP. On the band's final U.S. and European tours a young Jay Braun filled in for Mark Lonergan. The band's final production was a version of Wire's Ahead for a collection of Wire cover versions called Whore, released in 1996.
Musically, BoS organised their three guitarists into providing an overwhelming wail of feedback and guitar noise layered under more conventional song structures (Poss had worked with guitar enemble composer Rhys Chatham and was a big fan of The Rolling Stones - the latter resulting in covers of Child of the Moon and Paint it Black). Although pretty much unconnected with it, Band of Susans are generally included in the New York No Wave scene that produced Sonic Youth and Glenn Branca.
After the dissolution of the band, Poss and Stenger performed with Bruce Gilbert of Wire as GilbertPossStenger. Poss then concentrated on production and solo work whilst Stenger played live with The Creatures for a period. An open-ended promise to reform under a new name has yet to happen.
Pearls Of Wisdom
Band Of Susans Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The vows are spoken time and time again
As the future's chosen you're always waiting
Standing in line
You keep me hoping while you break my heart with all those plans
All the different endings
Side by side by side
But all your dreams read like fiction
When I survey the kingdom that was mine
Yesterday's domain through the eyes of a spy
Every trick in the book I tried
If you could play their game
Learn how to twist the facts
Addictions would be strengths
And you could live by their pearls of wisdom
The lyrics of the song "Pearls of Wisdom" by Band of Susans talks about the fragility of relationships and the pain of broken promises. The first few lines "The script is written word for word line by line, The vows are spoken time and time again" suggest a sense of routine and predictability in a relationship that is governed by pre-written scripts and rehearsed vows. The singer of the song is waiting for a future that has been chosen for him/her, standing in line with the hope that things will turn out the way he/she wants them to.
However, this hope is constantly being dashed by the other person's plans that they keep making, which end up breaking the singer's heart. The lines "You keep me hoping while you break my heart with all those plans, all the different endings side by side by side" convey the sense of confusion and frustration that comes with continuously changing plans and different endings, each one more disappointing than the last.
The lyrics then talk about the futility of dreams that read like fiction, and the fact that they cannot match the pearl of wisdom. This could be read as a metaphor for the difference between fantasy and reality, with the pearl of wisdom representing the truth that is hard to come by.
Overall, the song "Pearls of Wisdom" is a poignant exploration of the complexities of relationships and the pain that comes with broken dreams and promises.
Line by Line Meaning
The script is written word for word line by line
The plan is carefully crafted with detailed instructions, precisely following every step.
The vows are spoken time and time again
Promises are repeatedly made and reaffirmed regularly.
As the future's chosen you're always waiting
Being selected for the future requires patience as you wait for what's ahead.
Standing in line
Waiting in a row or queue for appropriate processing or service.
You keep me hoping while you break my heart with all those plans
You give me motivation while simultaneously crushing my heart with your unattainable goals.
All the different endings
Numerous outcomes are possible.
Side by side by side
Existing or occurring close together in a line, synchronized and unified.
But all your dreams read like fiction
Your aspirations seem fictional or impossible to achieve.
You can't match the pearl of wisdom
Nothing can replace the value and significance of actual knowledge and insights.
When I survey the kingdom that was mine
Looking back at the past and assessing your previous territory.
Yesterday's domain through the eyes of a spy
The past is viewed through the perspective of a detective or secret observer.
Every trick in the book I tried
I employed every strategy or technique available to me.
If you could play their game
If you could participate in their methods and processes.
Learn how to twist the facts
Become acquainted with manipulating or distorting facts.
Addictions would be strengths
Weaknesses and unhealthy habits would become advantageous traits.
And you could live by their pearls of wisdom
You could adhere to their beliefs and lifestyle advice.
Contributed by Vivian N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.