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).
Olé Mulholland
Frank Black Lyrics
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Time to get up and have a drink
Pacific rim has a tank that thinks
That she is really something grand
Let me tell you about
When I was hanging out
Just in my dothi
Right across my lawn
I saw a coyote
Ole, ole, ole for Mulholland
See the water fall
And hooray, hooray the sky is falling
Down on Bradbury's mall
Ole, ole, ole for Mulholland
All waxed in pride
I've got a comfortable ride
And man, she could take us
Out across the salts
Right out of these faults
And on into vegas
So slept a monster in the dune
Woke him up and then he drank
Pacific rim has a think tank
But does she have IQ for the moon?
The concrete of the aquaduct
Will last as long as the Pyramids of Egypt
Or the Parthenon of Athens
Long after Joe Harriman is elected Mayor of Los Angeles
Ole, ole, ole for Mulholland
See the water fall
And hooray, hooray the ants are crawling
Down in Bradbury's mall
Ole, ole, ole for Mulholland
Yeah, it's quite a sprawl
And hooray, hooray the sky is falling
Down on Bradbury's mall
Ole, ole, ole for Mulholland
Ole!
The song "Ole Mulholland" by Frank Black pays homage to the historic Mulholland Drive in Los Angeles, California. The lyrics are somewhat nonsensical, but they seem to express a sense of wonder and admiration for the drive and its surroundings. The opening lines refer to a "sleepy monster in the sand" who needs to wake up and have a drink, which could be interpreted as a metaphor for the sleepy, desert-like landscape of LA that needs to be revitalized by the excitement of Mulholland Drive. The next line mentions the Pacific Rim, which could refer to the nearby ocean or the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve in British Columbia, Canada. The tank that thinks it's grand may be a reference to the flashy cars that are often seen cruising down Mulholland Drive.
The next stanza describes a personal experience of the singer running in his dothi (a type of traditional Indian garment) and seeing a coyote on his lawn. This seems to suggest a blending of cultures and a juxtaposition of the natural world and human civilization. The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "Ole Mulholland" multiple times and describes the beauty of the waterfalls and sky. The line about Bradbury's mall could be a reference to the Bradbury Building, a historic landmark in downtown LA.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, sleepy monster in the sand
Addressing someone who is sleepy and idle, calling them a monster in a humorous way.
Time to get up and have a drink
Encouraging someone to wake up and enjoy life with a drink.
Pacific rim has a tank that thinks
Referring to a powerful entity or organization with an inflated self-image.
That she is really something grand
Elaborating on the grandiose attitude of the entity referred to earlier.
Let me tell you about
Introducing a personal story or anecdote.
When I was hanging out
Beginning the story with a casual tone.
Just in my dothi
Wearing traditional Indian clothing, suggesting a connection to the singer's heritage.
Running in the dawn
Engaging in an early morning exercise routine, possibly indicating a healthy lifestyle.
Right across my lawn
Describing the location where the artist observed an interesting event.
I saw a coyote
Describing the animal that the artist observed, adding a touch of nature to the story.
Ole, ole, ole for Mulholland
Cheering for the Mulholland Dam, a local landmark with historical significance.
See the water fall
Celebrating the beauty of the waterfall that can be seen from the dam.
And hooray, hooray the sky is falling
Using sarcasm to make light of a situation where something bad is happening, possibly a reference to an impending disaster.
Down on Bradbury's mall
Referring to a location that is experiencing the negative event.
All waxed in pride
Feeling proud and confident about something.
I've got a comfortable ride
Referring to a reliable and comfortable mode of transportation.
And man, she could take us
Highlighting the qualities of the vehicle in question, suggesting it can take people on a great journey.
Out across the salts
Describing the terrain that can be crossed by the vehicle, adding a sense of adventure.
Right out of these faults
Suggesting that the journey could be an escape from a negative situation, possibly referencing personal problems or societal issues.
And on into vegas
Naming a popular destination, indicating that the journey could be a fun and exciting vacation.
So slept a monster in the dune
Repeating the earlier reference to the sleepy monster, suggesting that the story was a dream or a metaphor.
Woke him up and then he drank
Continuing the dreamlike sequence of events, suggesting a surreal atmosphere.
But does she have IQ for the moon?
Raising a question about the intelligence or capability of the powerful entity referred to earlier, hinting at doubt or skepticism.
The concrete of the aquaduct
Referring to a local engineering achievement with historical significance, evoking pride in the artist's community.
Will last as long as the Pyramids of Egypt
Comparing the durability and longevity of the aqueduct to one of the most famous and ancient landmarks in the world.
Or the Parthenon of Athens
Adding another comparison to a famous and ancient landmark, emphasizing the importance and symbolic value of the aqueduct.
Long after Joe Harriman is elected Mayor of Los Angeles
Referencing a local politician, implying that the aqueduct and its legacy will outlast even the most significant political events.
Yeah, it's quite a sprawl
Admiring the bustling and expansive urban landscape of Los Angeles, suggesting an appreciation for the city's unique character.
And hooray, hooray the ants are crawling
Using sarcasm to depict an unpleasant or frustrating situation, possibly referencing the overcrowding and chaos of the city.
Ole!
Concluding the song with a lighthearted exclamation, likely referring back to the previous cheer for the Mulholland Dam.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CHARLES THOMPSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@thenavajoknow
Such a brilliant track. Frank is one of the greatest song writers and lyricists of all times.
@StuartwasDrinkell
Memories of being stoned in summer driving in the english countryside in a red whitetop mini cooper with friends ... full blast... at the time being deep into ufology... oh sweet youth!
@MoreBud-Angel
In 6th grade in 1993 i bought Franks s/t and my pops got way into Frank Black from than on. So i have myself to thank for all those long car memories with these albums....kind of!
@guzy1971
One of the greatest rock album of the 90's (the best for me).
@francois-yvesprigent1125
I agree, and Frank Black did tthis best i think (with Pixies - Surfer Rosa, that he composed)
@radiotomi
for me too.
@ragerelap106
Always said this is my one "deserted island" album cause u can listen over and over and catch different kinds of hidden content. Every song so different yet genius
@sebastianovirgilio
Totally agree. Only gems inside.
@wilmabandmusic6396
One of the best rock records ever.
@chimpbottle
This whole CD is the reason why most of my childhood memories took place in a car.