The band is infamous in the North American gothic scene for their unique and theatrical stage shows, sometimes involving up to a dozen or more actors and performance artists. Their music, while originating humbly in 1994 as a high-tempo post-punk expression, has evolved into a bizarre and exciting species of musical storytelling, breaking new ground and taking over where bands like the Virgin Prunes left off.
After two self-released records and two albums with the German label Trisol, they have left an unidentifiable but very real mark on the world gothic scene.
The Red and Silver Fantastique and the Libretto of the Insipid Minstrel
Cinema Strange Lyrics
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"There were children calling my name. They spat upon my paper shoes. I licked their ice cream. I sang through cardboard. I looked at shadows. Don't know who watched... perhaps they hate me. I was painted red and silver. Now I'm ugly, lost my flower, and I'm seeing spots."
The lyrics of The Red and Silver Fantastique and the Libretto of the Insipid Minstrel by Cinema Strange vividly describe the experience of a performer in a carnival or sideshow. The opening line, "I drag my right arm through the sawdust," sets the tone for the grittiness and desperation of the singer's situation. The following lines describe the loss of a small dog who likely performed alongside the singer, as well as the loss of the singer's own belongings and dignity. The line "He was a small dog. He's lost his hat and he never made a very convincing primate" seems to suggest that the performers in this carnival are not particularly talented or successful, which adds to the bleakness of the scene.
The second verse introduces the disturbing element of children spitting on the singer's shoes and the singer licking their discarded ice cream, highlighting the degradation and humiliation the performers endure. The line "I sang through cardboard" further emphasizes the low quality of their equipment, while the line "I looked at shadows" hints at the possibility that the singer is hallucinating or losing their mind due to the harshness of their environment. The song ends with the singer feeling isolated and unloved, wondering if anyone cares for or hates them. The repeated refrain of "I was painted red and silver" serves as a reminder of the singer's former glory as a performer, now long gone.
Line by Line Meaning
I drag my right arm through the sawdust...
I move my arm through the fallen wood shavings on the ground...
he hasn't opened his eyes in months.
The small dog has remained unconscious for many months.
He was a small dog.
The dog was of little size.
He's lost his hat and he never made a very convincing primate.
The dog is missing his hat and he was not a good imitation of a primate.
I was painted red and silver. Now I'm filthy, lost my dollar, and my dog, he rots.
I was previously adorned in red and silver paint, but now I am unclean, no longer have my currency, and my dog is decaying.
There were children calling my name.
Young ones were using my name for attention.
They spat upon my paper shoes.
They released saliva onto my footwear consisting of paper.
I licked their ice cream.
I used my tongue to consume their ice cream.
I sang through cardboard.
My vocals traveled through a material made of paper and other fibers.
I looked at shadows.
I gazed at the figures cast on the ground from the light source behind them.
Don't know who watched...perhaps they hate me.
I am unaware of the identity of those observing me, but it is possible they harbor ill feelings towards me.
I was painted red and silver. Now I'm ugly, lost my flower, and I'm seeing spots.
I formerly featured a coating of red and silver paint, but now I am unsightly, have forfeited possession of my blossom, and have obstructed vision in certain areas.
Contributed by Ian H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
The Cream Edit
that song has been always my favorite!love the instrumental part..
i. t.
exactly
StrangeSioux
such an intelligent band!
Dany horror
the best deathrock band! ever!
Gabriel Massé
Quelle chanson spéciale! J'adore, tout simplement.
Szarlotta
I agree with maevecamplisson - this part of song is definitely the best :-) wonderful guitar. And Daniel is my platonic love at first sight. You chose very pretty pictures of Dan, CappuccinoCoffee :-)
maevecamplisson
2:52 to 6:31 is my favorite section. <3 The other parts are cool too, but the last three and a half-ish minutes make me totally zone out.
i. t.
same feeling
i. t.
one of the greatest melody ever
Julio Villalobos
Seria excelente ponerme un trip con esta cancion.