Using the "backing band" from his 1996 solo album, The Cult of Ray, Thompson dubbed his new band "Frank Black and the Catholics", and recorded their eponymous first album in 1997. His band consisted of Lyle Workman on lead guitar, bassist David McCaffrey and Scott Boutier on drums.
Frank Black and the Catholics became the first album to be posted to the eMusic service; they claim it is "the first album ever made legally available for commercial download". Having eschewed multi-track recording for his later solo material, Thompson continued the live-to-two-track technique for all subsequent releases under the Catholics. Live-to-two-track recording precludes the use of overdubs to correct errors or add texture; all takes are recorded continuously, and mixing is done "on the fly". On later albums, he incorporated more musicians into the sessions to allow for more varied instrumental textures. Explaining his rationale behind the method, he commented:
"Well, it's real. It's a recording of a performance, of a real performance between a group of people, an entourage, a band, as opposed to a facsimile of that, which is frequently what people do with multi-track recording ... I prefer it. It's a little more real. It's got a little more heart."
Workman left the Catholics in 1998 to pursue session work with Rich Gilbert replacing him. Frank Black and the Catholics released Pistolero in 1999 and Dog in the Sand in 2001. Dog in the Sand added Dave Philips on pedal steel guitar and lead guitar, with Joey Santiago and Eric Drew Feldman making appearances with the group live and on record.
By this time, while dismissing the possibility of a Pixies reunion, Thompson had begun to incorporate an increasing number of the band's songs into Catholics concerts, as well as including Santiago in his solo work again. Black and the Catholics continued to release records; two separate albums, Black Letter Days and Devil's Workshop, were released simultaneously in 2002. Devil's Workshop included the song "Velvety", a version of the Pixies' song "Velvety Instrumental Version" (written by Black as a teenager) with lyrics. The song was one of the first signs that he had acknowledged his past work with the Pixies in his solo output. A sixth album with the Catholics, Show Me Your Tears, was released in 2003. Show Me Your Tears' title and many of the songs in it were inspired by Thompson's recent divorce and entry into therapy.
Nadine
Frank Black and the Catholics 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
The lyrics of Frank Black and the Catholics' song Nadine describe the singer's infatuation with a woman named Nadine who dresses in black from head to toe. The singer is drawn to her mysteriousness and wonders if she'll let him in underneath her clothes. He also notes that Nadine's skin is like that of a ghost, further emphasizing her ethereal quality. The lyrics also suggest that Nadine may be a witch of sorts, as the singer imagines her cooking up spells. Despite her potential otherworldliness, the singer finds himself attracted to her scent and is hoping to go for a ride in her big gray car.
Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of intrigue and desire for this enigmatic woman named Nadine. They suggest that she may be different from others, perhaps supernatural, but the singer is still drawn to her and willing to take a chance on getting to know her better.
Line by Line Meaning
There goes Nadine
Frank Black spots Nadine in a gothic attire and acknowledges her presence
Head to toe in black
Nadine is wearing all black clothing from head to toe
When I see Nadine, I want that
Frank Black feels an attraction towards Nadine when he sees her
Will she let me in
Underneath her clothes?
Frank Black wonders if Nadine will allow him to have a closer and more intimate relationship with her
That girl got skin like a ghost
Nadine has very pale skin resembling a ghost's complexion, according to Frank Black
I think that witchy lady
Been cookin' up some spells
Frank Black jokingly suggests that Nadine is a witch who practices magic spells
When she walks on by
You know
I love the way she smells
Frank Black is attracted to Nadine's scent and enjoys it when she walks by him
She has a big gray car
She could take me for a ride
Nadine owns a large gray car, and Frank Black imagines going on a car ride with her
Maybe we?ll park and I?ll drive
Frank Black even imagines taking over the driving from Nadine after they park somewhere
Nadine, Nadine
There goes Nadine
Nadine, Nadine, Nadine, Nadine
There goes Nadine
Frank Black concludes the song with repeating Nadine's name and acknowledging her once again
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Charles Thompson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind