When Throbbing Gristle was terminated in 1981, Chris Carter and Cosey Fanni Tutti signed to Rough Trade Records and began recording and performing as Chris & Cosey. From the very start they indulgently utilised electronics, sampling, rhythms and Cosey's distinctive vocals, cornet and guitar style. In 1983 they formed their own offshoot record label Conspiracy International (aka: CTI) for their more experimental recordings and collaborative projects. CTI continues to run alongside their more accessible work.
During the 1980's and 90's Chris & Cosey went on to record some of the most inventive Electronica albums, including the much sampled and remixed TRANCE album (1982), the Techno Pop classic OCTOBER Love Song (1983) and the West Coast and Goa dance floor hit EXOTIKA (1987).
In 1992 after many gruelling tours and for both health and artistic reasons they decided to scale down their live performances and concentrate on studio recordings.
Since their inception they have collaborated with such artists and musical luminaries as Monte Cazazza, Coil, Current 93, John Duncan, Erasure, Eurythmics, Boyd Rice, Robert Wyatt. Their music has also been remixed by Carl Craig, Cosmic Connection, Fred Giannelli, Daniel Miller, µ-Ziq, Vapourspace and Andrew Weatherall.
June 2004 saw the release of CABAL, the debut album under their newly adopted Carter Tutti name.
2003-2004 also saw Chris Carter and Cosey Fanni Tutti collaborating once again with Peter Christopherson and Genesis P-Orridge for a regrouping of Throbbing Gristle. This resulted in an album of new TG material and a live performance in London.
Lament
Chris & Cosey Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I spent the last twenty years of my life with this mask on my face
But you can't ever help me
You don't know what it's like to be a faceless man
This red mulled wine doesn't comfort me
I've cried an ocean of tears in a house built on the sand
And you can't ever help me
How powerful I was
How calculating and cruel
Unrivaled in strength
But wasn't I a fool
One thing I learned
I couldn't make you love me
And as I grew old
I realized the void I had in my life
The life of a villain
I was an evil maniacal man
Oh I was a villain
I didn't get where I am by being honest
I couldn't say it when we were young but clearly I am to blame
No you can't ever help me
You don't know what it's like to be a ruthless man
How powerful I was
How calculating and cruel
Unrivaled in strength
But wasn't I a fool
One thing I learned
I couldn't make you love me
And as I grew old
I realized the void I had in my life
The life of a villain
I was an evil maniacal man
Oh I was a villain
"Lament" by Chris & Cosey is a mournful song that tells a story of a cowboy who is out riding the grave yard shift, midnight 'til dawn. The cowboy receives a letter from an old friend back home that asks him why he works so hard for so little money when he is not getting anywhere. The friend tells him that he has missed out on important events in life, including Jenny's marriage. He then asks the cowboy why he rides for his money and ropes for short pay. The cowboy's colleague Billy also questions the logic of working so hard for so little and says that they must all be crazy out there.
The song seems to be questioning the traditional cowboy lifestyle and the sacrifices that are made for it. Despite the fact that the cowboys in the song have never seen the Northern Lights, a hawk on the wing, or spent spring on the Great Divide, they continue to ride and work hard. The lyrics suggest that perhaps the cowboy lifestyle is not worth all the sacrifices that are required and that there is more to life than hard work and meager rewards. The song shows the hardships of the cowboy lifestyle and questions traditional notions of success.
Line by Line Meaning
While I was out a ridin'
While I was out riding my horse
The graveyard shift, midnight 'til dawn
I was working the overnight shift
The moon was bright as a readin' light
The moon was illuminating like a lamp
For a letter from an old friend back home
I received a letter from a friend I haven't seen in a while
And he asked me
My friend asked me
Why do you ride for your money
Why do you work so hard for a living
and why do you rope for short pay
Why do you accept low wages
You ain't a'gettin' nowhere
You're not making any progress
And you're loosin' your share
You're not getting what's rightfully yours
Boy, you must have gone crazy out there
You must be insane to endure all of this
He said last night he run in to Jenny
My friend mentioned seeing Jenny recently
She's married and has a good life
Jenny is married and doing well
And boy you sure missed the track
You missed your opportunity
When you never come back
When you didn't return home
She's the perfect professional's wife
Jenny is the ideal wife for a professional man
And she asked him
Jenny asked my friend
Why does he ride for his money
Why does he work so hard for a living
And tell me why does he rope for short pay
Why does he accept low wages
He ain't a'gettin' nowhere
He's not making any progress
And he's loosin' his share
He's not getting what's rightfully his
Well he must've gone crazy out there
He must be insane to endure all of that
Ah but they've never seen the Northern Lights
But they have never witnessed the beauty of the Northern Lights
They ain't never seen a hawk on the wing
They have never seen a hawk in flight
They've never spent spring on the Great Divide
They have never experienced the Great Divide in the spring
And they've never heard ole' camp cookie sing
They have never heard the old camp cook sing
Well I read up the last of my letter
I finished reading my friend's letter
And tore off the stamp for black Jim
I removed the stamp from the envelope for Black Jim
And when Billy rode up to relieve me
When Billy arrived to take my place on duty
He just looked at my letter and grinned
He smiled after seeing the content of my letter
He said you know I wonder
Billy said
Why do they ride for their money
Why do people work hard for their living
Tell me why do they ride for short pay
Why do they accept low wages
They ain't a'gettin' nowhere
They're not making progress
And they're loosin' their share
They're not getting what's rightfully theirs
Son, they all must be crazy out there
People must be insane to endure such hardship
They ain't never seen the Northern Lights
They have never witnessed the beauty of the Northern Lights
They ain't never seen a hawk on the wing
They have never seen a hawk in flight
They've never spent spring on the Great Divide
They have never experienced the Great Divide in the spring
And they've never heard ole' camp cookie sing
They have never heard the old camp cook sing
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Chris Dearborn
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Michael Rête
on Percusex
Doctor john,was a great song!with strange ambiance!i like very much!