The band never played live, but released two records. The first was released on New Alliance Records in 1986, and consisted of three tracks: "Into the Groove(y)" (a cover of Madonna's hit Into the Groove, incorporating snippets of her recording), the short "Tuff Titty Rap" on the A side (both performed by the Sonic Youth members), and "Burnin' Up" (performed by Watt with additional guitars by Greg Ginn) on the B side.
The second record was a full-length album called The Whitey Album on Blast First Records in 1988, incorporating the previously released 3 tracks. It was rumored to cover songs by the Beatles, but actually contains cover songs by various artists, in particular a cover of Addicted to Love by Robert Palmer.
The band's name is a play on the names "Sonic Youth" and "Ciccone", the original surname of pop singer Madonna.
Addicted to Love
Ciccone Youth Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Your mind, is not your own
Your heart sweats, your body shakes
Another kiss is what it takes
You can't sleep, you can't eat
There's no doubt, you're in deep
Your throat is tight, you can't breath
Another kiss, is all you need
To stare, oh yeah
It's closer to the truth to say you can't get it
You're gonna have to face it you're addicted to love
You're throat is tight, you can't breath
Running at, a different speed
You're heart beats, double time
Another kiss, and you'll be mine
A one track mind, you can't be saved
Oblivion, is all you crave
Is there a song, for you
You don't mind, if you do
You got to think that you're immune
To stuff, oh yeah
It's closer to the truth to say you can't get it, noooo
You're gonna have to face it you're addicted to love
Might as well face it, you're addicted to love
Might as well face it, you're addicted to love
Might as well face it, you're addicted to love
Might as well face it, you're addicted to love
Might as well face it, you're addicted to love
Might as well face it, you're addicted to love
Might as well face it, you're addicted to love
The lights are on, but you're not home
Your will, is not your own
Your heart sweats, your teeth grind
Another kiss and you'll be mine
You got to think that you're immune
To stuff, oh yeah
It's closer to the truth to say you can't get it, noooo
Face it you're addicted to love
Might as well face it, you're addicted to love
Might as well face it, you're addicted to love
Might as well face it, you're addicted to love
Might as well face it, you're addicted to love
Might as well face it, you're addicted to love
Might as well face it, you're addicted to love
Might as well face it, you're addicted to love
Might as well face it, you're addicted to love
The song "Addicted to Love" by Ciccone Youth is a cover of the well-known song by Robert Palmer, but with a twist. In this version, Sonic Youth's noisy and experimental approach is on full display, with distorted guitar riffs and feedback taking over the original's slick synths and polished production. The lyrics, however, remain unchanged and continue to explore the theme of addiction to love.
The opening verse sets the tone for the rest of the song. The lights are on, but the person the singer is addressing is not really present. Their mind is not their own, and their body is reacting involuntarily to the addictive power of love. The second verse describes a physical reaction to the addiction, with the person's heart beating faster and their breath becoming erratic. The chorus reinforces the idea that the addiction is real and ingrained, and there's no escaping it. The last verse repeats the same ideas, with the added detail of the person's will being lost in the process.
The song can be seen as a commentary on the nature of addiction, whether to substances or emotions. Love, in this case, is portrayed as an uncontrollable force that takes over one's life and inevitably leads to obsession and dependency. The noisy and chaotic music mirrors the disorienting experience of addiction, adding an extra layer of meaning to the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
The lights are on, but you're not home
You are present physically, but mentally absent
Your mind, is not your own
You are under the influence of addiction
Your heart sweats, your body shakes
Physical and emotional symptoms of addiction are present
Another kiss is what it takes
The addiction requires a constant source of stimulation
You can't sleep, you can't eat
The addiction is disrupting basic bodily functions
There's no doubt, you're in deep
The addiction is all-consuming and intense
Your throat is tight, you can't breath
The addiction is suffocating and overwhelming
Another kiss, is all you need
The addiction requires a never-ending cycle of stimulation
You'd like to think that you're immune
You believe you are in control and can resist addiction
To stare, oh yeah
There is a desire for attention and affection
It's closer to the truth to say you can't get it
You cannot resist or avoid addiction
You're gonna have to face it you're addicted to love
You must acknowledge and confront your addiction to love
Running at, a different speed
The addiction is controlling your pace and direction
You're heart beats, double time
The addiction is causing intense emotions and physical reactions
A one track mind, you can't be saved
The addiction is all-encompassing and leaves no room for other thoughts or actions
Oblivion, is all you crave
The addiction is an escape from reality
Is there a song, for you
You are seeking validation and attention through the addiction
You don't mind, if you do
You are willing to continue the addiction despite potential consequences
Might as well face it, you're addicted to love
Acceptance of the addiction and the need to confront it
Your will, is not your own
The addiction has taken over control of your thoughts and actions
Your teeth grind
Symptoms of addiction are causing physical harm
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Robert Allan Palmer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@guillermoperezsantos
The Whitey Album is a masterpiece among masterpieces
@aubreylear
hyperbole
@stephenbartram3322
Yes
@astanarcho8651
Wharton Tiers tower of confusion made it happen.
@magnoliasalazar
This is like the best cover ever made
@aus80srockradio94
+Magnolia Salazar Better than Robert Palmer's...
@GuyTVUSA
If you like this one, check out Gang Green's "Voices Carry" cover.
@tastethecakewebb2111
I'll say!!
@aubreylear
@GuyTVUSA I love "alcohol." great satire.
@markschroeder5559
remembering a place in the mall back in the eighties where you could lipsync in front of a bluescreen where cheesy images were inserted and you walked away a star with yer very own vhs tape