Fronted by Projekt Records' Sam Rosenthal, the band's line-up has changed significantly over time. The current lineup has Rosenthal on programming, guitar and keyboards, Jon DeRosa ( Aarktica) on vocals, and Henrik Meierkord on strings. The most notable former members of the band are Brian Viglione (The Dresden Dolls) on percussion, guitar & bass, and vocalists Athan Maroulis (ex-Spahn Ranch), Nicki Jaine, and long time vocalists, Oscar Herrera & Elysabeth Grant.
The style of Black Tape for a Blue Girl is generally described as "gothic", though their long catalog of music does not often gel with all of the contemporary standards of gothic music over time. The lyrics are by Rosenthal himself and explores powerful emotions of love, vulnerability, isolation, loss, jealousy, and passion.
Tarnished
Black Tape for a Blue Girl Lyrics
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Well Halo came down from the stage fell down
He slumps into somebody's arms
Wounds torn open, desire exposed
We grab for a piece of his soul
I have been broken, divided
A thousand dreams left in bloody heaps
Halo at the center
Shouting and whispering truth
Rays around the sun in search of an answer(?)
We gather closer for a final look
Taste his tears
Devour him
Slaughterd up, we eat and eat
Well, Halo draws back, to his full height
Smiles once again, he's the king of this light
Rubs between his fingers blood from bits of - bits of flesh
I have been broken, divided
Annihilated
I deserve this, always more tarnished
Exhausted but alive
I desire this, always more tarnished
Exhausted but alive
I demand this, always more tarnished
Exhausted but alive
The song Tarnished by Black Tape for a Blue Girl delves into the idea of the seductive and consuming nature of fame and its consequences. The opening lines of the song paint a picture of a momentous event - the fall of Halo, a prominent figure in this world of fame and glamour. The crowd quickly rushes to take advantage of his vulnerability, exposing the innate human desire to feed off the pain of others. The lines "wounds torn open, desire exposed" indicate how the fall of a prominent figure makes people realize the duality of fame- the pain and the pleasure.
The repetition of the lines "I have been broken, divided, annihilated" undoubtedly adds to the idea that fame has ruined the subject, Halo. There is a dissonance between the powerful and indestructible nature of the celebrity that has taken time to build and the transient nature of life itself. The imagery of a "thousand dreams left in bloody heaps" makes it clear that Halo has lost sight of what is truly important amidst the glitz and the glamour.
The lines "slaughtered up, we eat and eat" indicate the voracious nature of the celebrity culture, and the insatiable desire to consume more and more of the pain and humiliation of others. The repetition of the phrase "always more tarnished" adds to the feeling of hopelessness that can come from being consumed by fame. The line, "Exhausted but alive" could be perceived as a nod to those who are able to withstand the pressures of fame, but at what cost? This song can be seen as a cautionary tale to those chasing the dream of fame and success.
Line by Line Meaning
Well Halo came down from the stage fell down
Halo, the performer, leaves the stage in a state of physical and emotional exhaustion.
He slumps into somebody's arms
Halo collapses into the arms of someone in the audience, seeking emotional support.
Wounds torn open, desire exposed
Halo's emotional pain and personal struggles are laid bare, making him vulnerable.
We grab for a piece of his soul
The audience is desperate to connect with Halo and understand his inner turmoil and emotions on a deeper level.
I have been broken, divided
Halo has experienced significant emotional trauma that has left him feeling shattered and disconnected from himself.
Annihilated
Halo feels utterly destroyed and consumed by his inner turmoil.
A thousand dreams left in bloody heaps
Halo's hopes and aspirations have been crushed, leaving behind a trail of emotional devastation.
Halo at the center
Despite the chaos and confusion surrounding him, Halo remains the focus of attention and scrutiny.
Shouting and whispering truth
Halo expresses his deepest, darkest emotions with raw, unfiltered honesty and intensity.
Rays around the sun in search of an answer(?),
The people around Halo are searching for answers and meaning, trying to make sense of his pain and suffering.
We gather closer for a final look
The audience is drawn in, eager to understand and bear witness to Halo's innermost emotions.
Taste his tears
The audience empathizes with Halo's emotional pain, seeking a connection with him by sharing in his sorrow.
Devour him
The audience becomes emotionally invested in Halo's well-being, eager to consume and understand his pain.
Slaughtered up, we eat and eat
The audience consumes Halo's pain and sorrow, savoring every nuanced detail of his emotional journey.
Well, Halo draws back, to his full height
Halo regains composure and stands tall, displaying a renewed sense of strength and resilience.
Smiles once again, he's the king of this light
Halo regains his confidence and sense of self, embracing his role as a performer and the center of attention.
Rubs between his fingers blood from bits of - bits of flesh
Halo is left physically scarred by the emotional journey he has endured, symbolized by the blood and flesh on his hands.
I deserve this, always more tarnished
Halo feels that he deserves the emotional pain and turmoil he has experienced, as it is a reflection of his own shortcomings and flaws.
Exhausted but alive
Despite the emotional toll of his journey, Halo remains alive and committed to his art and his emotional truth.
I desire this, always more tarnished
Halo is drawn to the emotional pain and intensity of his art, recognizing that true emotional depth comes from confronting his own struggles and shortcomings.
I demand this, always more tarnished
Halo holds himself to a high standard, constantly pushing himself to dig deeper and reveal more of his innermost emotions, no matter the cost to his own well-being.
Contributed by Hunter Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Sam Rosenthal
on All my lovers
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