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).
Fare Thee Well
Frank Black Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She moves her body like a cannonball
Fare thee well, oh honey
Fare thee well
If I'da listen what my father said
Wouldn't have such confusion in my aching head
Fare thee well, oh honey
One day soon and it won't be long
Someone will call my name and I'll be gone
Fare thee well, oh honey
Fare thee well
All last night in a drizzling rain
All around my heart was an aching pain
Fare thee well, oh honey
Fare thee well
If I had wings like Noah's dove
I'd fly up the river to the one I love
Fare thee well, oh honey
Fare thee well
The lyrics to Frank Black’s song Fare Thee Well are about a man who is experiencing the pain of unrequited love. He has a long and tall girl in his life who moves her body like a cannonball, but despite her beauty, she doesn’t feel the same way about him. The song opens with a sense of resignation. The singer is saying goodbye to his sweetheart, knowing that it’s time for him to move on.
The second verse of the song is about the singer’s relationship with his father. He regrets not listening to his father’s advice, and he blames himself for the confusion and heartache he’s feeling. Despite this regret, he knows that he needs to let go of this relationship and say farewell to his love.
The final verse of the song is about the eventual release the singer feels will come when he moves on. He believes that one day soon he will be called away, and he’ll be free from the pain and heartache he’s experiencing right now. Even in the midst of this pain, he can’t help but mention the strength of his love for this girl. If he had wings like Noah’s dove, he’d fly up the river to be with her. But until that day comes, he has to say farewell and move on.
Overall, Fare Thee Well is a song about the pain of unrequited love, regret, and the eventual freedom that comes with letting go. It’s a powerful and emotional song that captures the experience of heartbreak and the complexity of human relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Got a girl who's long and tall
I have a girlfriend who is tall and attractive.
She moves her body like a cannonball
She dances with so much energy and vigor that it feels like a force of nature.
Fare thee well, oh honey
Goodbye, my dear.
If I'da listen what my father said
If I had listened to my father's advice,
Wouldn't have such confusion in my aching head
I wouldn't be struggling with so much confusion and pain in my mind.
One day soon and it won't be long
Soon, very soon, something big and life-changing will happen to me
Someone will call my name and I'll be gone
I will leave in a hurry, without looking back or hesitating.
All last night in a drizzling rain
The entire previous night, I was out in the weak rain.
All around my heart was an aching pain
I felt physical and emotional pain that radiated from my heart.
If I had wings like Noah's dove
If I had the ability to fly like a dove, just like Noah did.
I'd fly up the river to the one I love
I'd use my wings to travel against the current of the river to reach my lover.
Fare thee well, oh honey
Goodbye, my love.
Contributed by Logan H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Charles F Jurgus
on Repo Man
This is actually a cover of an Iggy Pop song.