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).
Suffering
Frank Black Lyrics
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And all the plans that you're involved in
Since you're gone you'd be impressed
To know I too have been evolving
But I don't think you comprehend
I've been suffering, yeah, I've been suffering
Guess I'll be suffering up around the bend
I can feel it advancing in me
This fire it is my light in the world
Well, I found me a new friend
I've been suffering, yeah, I've been suffering
Guess I'll be suffering up around the bend
I hung around in a leather bar
They threw me on the cement
Slept all night in my plastic car
Got in an accident
I brushed by you in the super mart
And I had me a touch of what's real
It was real when you crushed me with your steel
Black clouds roll through my mind
Who says anyway these halls are sovereign?
I am a hater of the human kind
So keep away, this heart's not softening
No, I don't think that it's the end of this suffering
Yeah, I've been suffering
I've been suffering, I've been suffering
And I'll be suffering up around the bend
In "Suffering," Frank Black sings about his pain and suffering after a breakup or losing someone close to him. He is aware of the other person's happiness and their involvement in making plans, but he is experiencing the opposite emotions. He has found a new friend, but he also acknowledges that he is suffering, perhaps because he hasn't fully healed from the past relationship. He compares his pain to a cancer, something that is spreading within him, and that he can't escape from. He sings about encountering the other person briefly in a supermarket, which made him feel something real, but that feeling was crushed by the other person's indifference. Black also expresses his misanthropy, his disdain for people in general, and that nothing is making his heart any softer.
The lyrics are evocative and poignant, expressing the raw emotions of someone experiencing heartbreak or loss. Black's delivery is raw and passionate, adding to the overall effect of the song. The references to a leather bar and sleeping in a plastic car provide concrete details that add to the authenticity of the song's emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
I heard about your happiness
I am aware of the contentment and joy you have in your life
And all the plans that you're involved in
I know about your engaging and active existence
Since you're gone you'd be impressed
If you were here, you would acknowledge the progress I have made
To know I too have been evolving
I have also been developing and growing as a person
But I don't think you comprehend
I don't believe you understand or appreciate the difficulties I am going through
I've been suffering, yeah, I've been suffering
I have been experiencing pain and discomfort
Guess I'll be suffering up around the bend
I anticipate and expect to experience more hardships in the future
This love is a cancer in me
This affection is destroying and consuming me
I can feel it advancing in me
I'm aware of its progress and the intensity of how it affects me
This fire it is my light in the world
This intense passion is my inspiration and motivation in life
Well, I found me a new friend
I have made a new connection with someone
I've been suffering, yeah, I've been suffering
Despite this, I'm still experiencing pain and discomfort
I hung around in a leather bar
I spent time in a club for people who enjoy bondage
They threw me on the cement
People in the club were violent towards me
Slept all night in my plastic car
I was so upset that I slept in my car
Got in an accident
I was involved in a car crash
I brushed by you in the super mart
I saw you briefly at the supermarket
And I had me a touch of what's real
I experienced a moment of genuine emotion
It was real when you crushed me with your steel
Your indifference hurt me deeply
Black clouds roll through my mind
Negative thoughts and emotions dominate my thinking
Who says anyway these halls are sovereign?
I question the authority and legitimacy of the voices and messages around me
I am a hater of the human kind
I have developed a strong dislike for humanity
So keep away, this heart's not softening
Stay away from me, because I'm not becoming more compassionate or forgiving
No, I don't think that it's the end of this suffering
I don't believe that my pain and hardships will end anytime soon
Yeah, I've been suffering
I have been experiencing pain and discomfort
I've been suffering, I've been suffering
I have been going through a hard time repeatedly
And I'll be suffering up around the bend
I expect to face more difficulties and struggles in the future
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.