The song was used in The Ongoing History of New Music 1998 episode "What's the Big Deal About Bauhaus?". The line "She's in parties" is frequently quoted in "What Was Her Name?" by Dave Clarke and Chicks on Speed.
She's in Parties
Bauhaus Lyrics
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Special effects by loonatik and drinks
The graveyard scene
The golden years
She's in parties
It's in the can
It's in the can
Freeze frame screen kiss
Hot heads under silent wigs
Fall guys tumble on the cutting room floor
Look-a-likes fall on the cutting room door
She's in parties
It's in the can
She's in parties
It's in the can
Learning lines in the rain
Special effects by loonatik and drinks
Freeze frame, screen kiss, hot heads, lights and power
It's patently obvious
She's in parties
It's in the can
She's in parties
It's in the can
Hot lines under a rain of drum
Cigarette props in action
Dialogue dub, now heres the rub
She's acting her reaction
She's in parties
It's in the can
The lyrics of Bauhaus's She's in Parties are enigmatic and surreal, as they describe a scene of filming in the rain with special effects, graveyard scenes, and cutting room floors. The lyrics suggest a sense of artificiality and unreality as the singer describes the making of a movie. The chorus repeats the phrase "She's in parties/ It's in the can," which could be interpreted as a reference to a completed film, or possibly to the experience of being lost in a crowd or a party.
The second stanza introduces the concept of a "freeze frame screen kiss," implying a moment of captured passion that is not real. The "hot heads under silent wigs" and "fall guys tumble on the cutting room floor" both suggest a sense of artifice and detachment from reality. The repetition of "It's in the can" continues to emphasize the idea that the scene being described is constructed, rather than real.
The final stanza of the song describes more of the filming process, with "hot lines under a rain of drum" and "cigarette props in action." The singer notes that the actress is "acting her reaction," further emphasizing the theme of artificiality and constructed reality that runs throughout the song.
Overall, She's in Parties can be seen as a commentary on the artifice of modern culture, and the ways in which we construct false realities for ourselves. The lyrics suggest that even our most intense moments of passion and excitement may be nothing more than staged performances.
Line by Line Meaning
Learning lines in the rain
Actors memorizing their lines outside in the rain
Special effects by loonatik and drinks
Unconventional and possibly crazy special effects accompanied by alcohol
The graveyard scene
A scene set in a graveyard
The golden years
A time of great success and prosperity
She's in parties
She is attending parties
It's in the can
The production is complete and ready for release
Freeze frame screen kiss
A kiss captured in a paused moment on film
Hot heads under silent wigs
Agitated people wearing fake hairpieces
Fall guys tumble on the cutting room floor
Scenes where someone else takes the blame are cut from the final production
Look-a-likes fall on the cutting room door
Actors chosen for their resemblance to someone else do not make the final cut
Hot lines under a rain of drum
Intense dialogue accompanied by heavy drumming
Cigarette props in action
Cigarettes being used as props for the scene
Dialogue dub, now heres the rub
Dubbing recorded dialogue onto the film can be a challenge
She's acting her reaction
Her response is part of her performance
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MELISSA LOGAN, KATHRIN MOORSE, ALEX MURRAY-LESLIE, DAVE CLARKE, PETER JOHN MURPHY, DAVID JOHN HASKINS, DANIEL GASTON ASH, DAVID JAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dbrmnt3545
Learning lines in the rain
Special effects by loonatik and drinks
The graveyard scene
The golden years
She's in parties
It's in the can (twice)
Freeze frame screen kiss
Hot heads under silent wigs
Fall guys tumble on the cutting room floor
Look-a-likes fall on the cutting room door
She's in parties
It's in the can (twice)
Learning lines in the rain
Special effects by loonatik and drinks
Freeze frame, screen kiss, hot heads, lights and power
It's patently obvious
She's in parties
It's in the can (twice)
Hot lines under a rain of drum
Cigarette props in action
Dialogue dub, now here's the rub
She's acting her reaction
She's in parties
It's in the can
@Ines_dsf88
She's in Parties Lyrics
Learning lines in the rain
Special effects by loonatik and drinks
The graveyard scene
The golden years
She's in parties
It's in the can (twice)
Freeze frame screen kiss
Hot heads under silent wigs
Fall guys tumble on the cutting room floor
Look-a-likes fall on the cutting room door
She's in parties
It's in the can (twice)
Learning lines in the rain
Special effects by loonatik and drinks
Freeze frame, screen kiss, hot heads, lights and power
It's patently obvious
She's in parties
It's in the can (twice)
Hot lines under a rain of drum
Cigarette props in action
Dialogue dub, now here's the rub
She's acting her reaction
She's in parties
It's in the can
@letsowflames
Learning lines in the rain
Special effects by Loonatik and Drinks
The graveyard scene
The golden years
She's in parties
It's in the can
She's in parties
It's in the can
Freeze frame screen kiss
Hot heads under silent wigs
Fall guys tumble on the cutting room floor
Look-alikes fall on the cutting room door
She's in parties
It's in the can
She's in parties
It's in the can
Learning lines in the rain
Special effects by Loonatik and Drinks
Freeze frame, screen kiss, hot-head lights and power
It's patently obvious
She's in parties
It's in the can
She's in parties
It's in the can
Hotlines under a rain of drums
Cigarette props in action
Dialogue dub, now here's the rub
She's acting her reaction
She's in parties
It's in the can
She's in parties
It's in the can
Learning lines in the rain
Special effects by Loonatik and Drinks
Freeze frame, screen kiss, hot-head lights and power
It's patently obvious
She's in parties
It's in the can
She's in parties
It's in the can
She's in parties
She's in parties
@retrojoe1590
I will always and forever feel very lucky to have been a teenager in the 80's. I was a huge Bauhaus fan.
@MenArell
I feel lucky just by being able to appreciate their music now. perhaps I won't ever do it in the manner you did but this music is ageless and it will be passed on to many generations
@Booknet861
+RetroJoe Did you ever get to see them in concert? I feel like that would have been so cool.
@retrojoe1590
Never did. 😕
@ivorytower99
RetroJoe Ditto. That and taking too much LSD whilst listening to their b-sides! :S
BTW: Are you interested in buying Kevin's new book? JFC: He's asking $195 U.S. (Not including shipping for something that's 13 lbs)!!! It's like "Do I pay bills - - or do I buy this book?"
@Reuben007Ash
Me too . Amen !
@mickjonesteeth
The definitive goth band. Peter Murphy is seriously the coolest.
@MrProzacmilkshake
Birthday party my mate Melbourne
@timothywoodfin5995
Rozz & sisters of mercy
@mikemcgannvoiceover
I saw Peter Murphy touring maybe ten years ago. After the show, he was brooding in the tour bus with no lights on smoking a cigarette in the dark before he came out to do the meet and greet. I like thinking he's never changed.