Lead songwriter and vocalist of the now reunited Pixies, Frank Black adopted a reversal of his former alias, Black Francis, and embarked on his solo career after the 1992 breakup of Pixies. He released his debut self-titled album, Frank Black in 1993. It contains his biggest rock radio hit, Los Angeles (#4 US Modern Rock). A year later came the critically acclaimed Teenager of the Year.
Frank Black's solo career covers a much more diverse range of styles and genres compared to his time with The Pixies. His works have feature a much more melodic touch, yet his lyrics are still often spiced with his quirky and inventive touch.
Frank Black regularly posts and responds to questions on the forums of his official fan site, frankblack.net, under the alias "frnck blck".
He began recording and touring as Black Francis in 2007, with the album Bluefinger, an album about the late Dutch musician and painter Herman Brood, and the mini album Svn Fngrs in 2008. On this tour he abandoned encores in favour of precores; a free mini gig at a public location earlier in the day. The gigs proper featured only current songs, the precores being more flexible.
Black Francis released NonStopErotik in March 2010.
The Pixies, minus original bassist Kim Deal, reunited for a United States and world tour in 2014 and have subsequently released three additional studio albums: Indie Cindy (2014), Head Carrier (2016) and Beneath the Eyrie (2019).
Dark End Of The Street
Frank Black Lyrics
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That's where we always meet
Hiding in shadows where we don't belong
Living in darkness to hide our wrong
You and me, at the dark end of the street
Just you and me
I know that time is gonna take its toll
Ah it's a sin and we know that it's wrong
Ah but our love keeps coming on strong
You and me, at the dark end of the street
Just you and me
They're gonna find us
They're gonna find us
They're gonna find us someday
We'll steal away to the dark end of the street
Just you and me
If you take a walk downtown
And you find some time to look around
If you should see me and I walk on by
Oh darling please don't cry
Tonight we'll meet
At the dark end of the street
Just you and me
Oh you and me
The lyrics of Frank Black's "Dark End of the Street" speak of a clandestine love affair that takes place in the shadows, away from prying eyes. The song sets a somber mood for the listener, alluding to the idea that the lovebirds' relationship is forbidden, perhaps because they come from different social backgrounds or because one or both are already taken. The lyricist makes it clear that they are fully aware that their clandestine meetings are immoral and they will eventually face the consequences of their actions. They are using the darkness to hide their shameful deeds from the world, but there is an inevitability to their predicament that is palpable as they fear getting caught.
Despite knowing the risks, the two protagonists cannot resist each other's company, and they keep meeting in secrecy, knowing that their love will always remain a dirty secret. The idea of this love affair adds an air of danger and taboo to the song that captures the passion and emotion that comes with living in the moment.
Overall, the song is a haunting recollection of a love affair that takes place in the shadows and lingers in the memory.
Line by Line Meaning
At the dark end of the street
We meet at the end of a street where it's dark and hidden from the world.
That's where we always meet
We always meet in secrecy at the dark end of the street.
Hiding in shadows where we don't belong
We're concealing ourselves in a place where we shouldn't be in secrecy.
Living in darkness to hide our wrong
We're living in darkness to hide our immoral deeds and feelings.
You and me, at the dark end of the street
It's just the two of us, meeting in the secrecy of the dark end of the street.
Just you and me
No one else is present, only you and me.
I know that time is gonna take its toll
I'm aware that eventually, the consequences will catch up to us.
We're gonna pay for the love that we stole
We'll face punishment for the love we took unlawfully.
Ah it's a sin and we know that it's wrong
We're conscious that what we're doing is immoral and sinful.
Ah but our love keeps coming on strong
However, our passion for each other is undeterred, and we can't stop loving.
They're gonna find us
Those in opposition of our love will eventually discover us.
They're gonna find us
Those in opposition of our love will eventually discover us.
They're gonna find us someday
One day, those who oppose us will locate us.
We'll steal away to the dark end of the street
We'll sneak away quietly to our clandestine meeting spot.
Just you and me
We'll continue to meet secretly, with only each other present.
If you take a walk downtown
If you happen to walk through the city center.
And you find some time to look around
If you find a moment to observe your surroundings.
If you should see me and I walk on by
If you catch sight of me passing without stopping to talk.
Oh darling please don't cry
Please don't cry, my love.
Tonight we'll meet
We'll meet once again.
At the dark end of the street
At the same clandestine spot we always meet.
Just you and me
Only the two of us will be present.
Oh you and me
Just us two.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Chips Moman, Dan Penn
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Charles F Jurgus
on Repo Man
This is actually a cover of an Iggy Pop song.