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).
Nadine
Frank Black Lyrics
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Head to toe in black
There goes Nadine
Head to toe in black
When I see Nadine, I want that
Will she let me in
Underneath her clothes?
Underneath her clothes?
That girl got skin like a ghost
There goes Nadine
Nadine, Nadine
There goes Nadine
Nadine, Nadine
There goes Nadine
I think that witchy lady
Been cookin' up some spells
When she walks on by
You know
I love the way she smells
She has a big gray car
She could take me for a ride
She has a big gray car
Could take me for a ride
Maybe we?ll park and I?ll drive
There goes Nadine
Nadine, Nadine
There goes Nadine
Nadine, Nadine, Nadine, Nadine
There goes Nadine
In "Nadine," Frank Black sings about a woman named Nadine who he sees head to toe in black. She has an aura of mystery around her, almost like a witch, as he describes her as "witchy lady" who has been "cooking up some spells." Black is intrigued by Nadine's appearance and is especially fixated on her skin, which he likens to that of a ghost. He wonders if she will let him in "underneath her clothes," suggesting a desire for a deeper connection with her.
Black's fascination with Nadine extends to her possessions as well. He mentions her big gray car, which he imagines taking a ride in with her. He even suggests that they may park and he would drive, further emphasizing his desire to be close to her. The repetition of her name throughout the song adds to the sense of obsession that Black feels.
Overall, "Nadine" is a song about infatuation and desire for someone who seems out of reach. Black's lyrics paint a picture of a woman with an air of mystery and alludes to his desire to be closer to her, both physically and emotionally.
Line by Line Meaning
There goes Nadine
Observing a woman named Nadine, whom the singer finds attractive
Head to toe in black
Nadine is wearing all black clothing
When I see Nadine, I want that
Seeing Nadine makes the singer feel desire for her
Will she let me in
Underneath her clothes?
The artist wonders if Nadine will allow him to be intimate with her
That girl got skin like a ghost
Describing Nadine's fair skin as pale, similar to that of a ghost
I think that witchy lady
Been cookin' up some spells
The singer believes Nadine may practice witchcraft and uses this tone as a way of complimenting her intriguing personality
When she walks on by
You know
I love the way she smells
The singer finds Nadine's scent appealing and arousing
She has a big gray car
She could take me for a ride
Nadine owns a large grey vehicle that the artist finds enticing
Maybe we’ll park and I’ll drive
The artist suggests driving together and taking turns with the driving
Nadine, Nadine
There goes Nadine
Nadine, Nadine, Nadine, Nadine
There goes Nadine
Repeating the name Nadine multiple times, emphasizing the artist's infatuation with her.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Charles Thompson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Charles F Jurgus
on Repo Man
This is actually a cover of an Iggy Pop song.