Despite the reunion proving a massive critical and financial success, Black remarked, "I privately went back to the old stage name, if that even makes any sense, almost as a joke. I couldn't get The Pixies back into a studio, but I would transform into my alter ego of yesteryear." He accordingly reverted to his original moniker for 2007's bluefinger - an homage to the Dutch painter/musician Herman Brood that marked a return to a more punk-driven sound.
Black has released three further recordings to date - the 2008 EP Svn Fngrs, an original score to the silent expressionist film The Golem released in 2010, and the recently released LP NonStopErotik.
Bad News
Black Francis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bad news that's all I bring to you
Shining down shining on down
Something in the stars
Says that we are through
Listen to me children
Pray until there's nothing left to spew
I have seen the trouble
And it's coming any day
Shining down shining on down
Something in the stars
Says that we are through
I've seen it shine in Nikolsburg
I've seen it shine in Worms
I've seen it shining down in Posen, too
Seems that it is shining
No matter where that I roam
It's shining down shining on down
Something in the stars says that we are through
Something in the stars says that we are through
Something in the stars says that we are through
Something in the stars says that we are through
Bad news that's all I bring to you
Bad news that's all I bring to you
Bad news that's all I bring to you
Bad news that's all I bring to you
The first two lines in the song "Bad News" by Black Francis establish the bleak tone and theme of the song, which is one of impending doom and destruction. The repetition of the line "Bad news that's all I bring to you" emphasizes the sense of fatalistic resignation, while the phrase "shining down" adds an air of eeriness and foreboding. The singer sings about something in the stars that suggests that "we are through," implying that some kind of cosmic event may be about to take place that will have catastrophic consequences.
The singer exhorts "children" to pray until "there's nothing left to spew," indicating that the situation they are facing is dire and cannot be overcome through conventional means. The singer has apparently witnessed this impending disaster firsthand, mentioning locations such as Nikolsburg, Worms, and Posen that have all been affected by "something in the stars." The final repetition of "Bad news that's all I bring to you" drives home the feeling of despair and powerlessness, concluding the song on a stark and haunting note.
Line by Line Meaning
Bad news that's all I bring to you
I'm sorry to say, but unfortunately I have only negative news to deliver to you.
Shining down shining on down
Despite the unfortunate news, the stars continue to shine brightly overhead.
Something in the stars
Says that we are through
The celestial bodies seem to be indicating that a relationship, situation, or phase of life is coming to an end.
Listen to me children
It's time for you to pray
Pray until there's nothing left to spew
I urge you to plead with a higher power for help and guidance, and keep praying until you've exhausted all possible options.
I have seen the trouble
And it's coming any day
I've witnessed impending difficulty or danger on the horizon, and it's only a matter of time before it arrives.
I've seen it shine in Nikolsburg
I've seen it shine in Worms
I've seen it shining down in Posen, too
Seems that it is shining
No matter where that I roam
It's shining down shining on down
I've noticed this foreboding celestial signal in multiple locations, suggesting that it's not just localized and may have a broad impact.
Bad news that's all I bring to you
Bad news that's all I bring to you
Once again, I'm sorry to say that I have nothing positive to share with you.
Something in the stars says that we are through
Something in the stars says that we are through
Something in the stars says that we are through
Something in the stars says that we are through
The repeating of this line emphasizes the certainty of the celestial interpretation, and its significance for the situation at hand.
Lyrics © DistroKid, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Bluewater Music Corp., Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: HERSH, MCCAULEY, THOMPSON, YOUNG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind