In October 1978, McCulloch founded Echo & the Bunnymen with Will Sergeant (guitar), Les Pattinson (bass), and a drum machine (allegedly named Echo), making their live début at Eric's in November that year. In October 1979 the Bunnymen exchanged the drum machine for Pete de Freitas on drums. With their line up solidified, the Bunnymen played in the late 1970s and early 1980s, releasing their critically praised debut album, Crocodiles in 1980, and the heavier, bass driven, Heaven up Here in 1981. They released their third album Porcupine in 1983 with the lead single "The Cutter" finishing in the Top 10 of the UK Charts. Ocean Rain followed in 1984.
In 1988, McCulloch left the group to pursue a solo career under the impression the Bunnymen would be laid to rest, if only temporarily. When the remaining Bunnymen continued using the name with new singer Noel Burke, the split became permanent with McCulloch referring to the band as "Echo & the Bogusmen".
In 1990, McCulloch released the album Candleland which reflected a more mature outlook on the world, owing to the recent deaths of McCulloch's father and his friend Pete de Freitas. The album peaked at number 18 in the UK Charts. It yielded two Modern Rock Tracks hits, "Proud To Fall" (No. 1 for 4 weeks) and "Faith and Healing." His album Mysterio was released in 1992, but the public's interest in the former Bunnyman was waning and it sold less than its predecessor. Shortly after, McCulloch left the public eye to devote more time to his family.
McCulloch rekindled his relationship with Will Sergeant, leading to the formation of Electrafixion in 1994. The band released the album Burned which peaked at number 38 in the UK and included the top-30 hit "Sister Pain." The band soon found themselves performing set lists composed of half Electrafixion songs and half Echo & the Bunnymen songs.
In 1997, Echo & the Bunnymen reformed and released the album Evergreen to positive reviews and chart success. Evergreen made the Top 10 of the UK Albums Chart and the single "Nothing Lasts Forever reached No. 8 on the UK Singles Chart.[12] The reformed Bunnymen have since recorded several further albums, the most recent being Meteorites[/abum] which was released in 2014.
The Prettiest Star
Ian McCulloch Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cold fire, you've got everything but cold fire
You will be my rest and peace child
I moved up to take the place, near you
So tired, it's the sky that makes you feel tried
It can all but break your heart, in pieces
Staying back in your memory
Are the movies in the past
How you moved is all it takes
To sing a song of when I loved
The Prettiest Star
One day though it might as well be someday
You and I will rise up all the way
All because of what you are
The Prettiest Star
Staying back in your memory
Are the movies in the past
How you moved is all it takes
To sing a song of when I loved
Prettiest Star
One day though it might as well be someday
You and I will rise up all the way
All because of what you are
The lyrics of Ian McCulloch's song, The Prettiest Star, are enigmatic, yet captivating. The words seem to describe the feelings of a person who is deeply in love with someone and sees them as a savior. The phrase "cold fire" is intriguing and can be interpreted as a paradoxical expression of someone having everything they need, but lacking emotion or passion. The singer of the song refers to the person they love as "rest and peace" and signals that this person gives them solace.
The second verse of the song appears to be a metaphorical representation of the power of dreams and imagination. The line "It's a trick to make you see wide" suggests that looking up into the expansive sky can stimulate one's mind or help them broaden their horizons. The message conveyed here is that the person the singer loves accepts and cherishes their quirks and individuality, even if it breaks their heart "in pieces."
The chorus articulates the connection between the singer and the person they love. They recall the memories of the past and admire the way the person who they loved moved, which inspires them to sing a song of love. The second part of the chorus conveys the message that the singer sees a bright future with the person they love and believes that they can rise up all the way, thanks to the qualities that make them "The Prettiest Star."
Line by Line Meaning
Cold fire, you've got everything but cold fire
You possess many qualities, but you lack passion and intensity.
You will be my rest and peace child
You will bring me tranquility and solace.
I moved up to take the place, near you
I have deliberately positioned myself closer to your presence.
So tired, it's the sky that makes you feel tired
You have become weary due to the vastness and endlessness of the world around you.
It's a trick to make you see wide
It's an illusion to make you believe you have a wider perspective of life.
It can all but break your heart, in pieces
It has the potential to shatter your heart into multiple fragments.
Staying back in your memory
Residing in the recesses of your recollection.
Are the movies in the past
Are the vivid images of previous experiences and events.
How you moved is all it takes
Merely your body language is enough to evoke emotions in me.
To sing a song of when I loved
To reminisce about the time when I was in love.
The Prettiest Star
The most beautiful and outstanding individual.
One day though it might as well be someday
At some point, even if it seems uncertain, it will happen.
You and I will rise up, all the way
We shall emerge victorious, overcoming all obstacles.
All because of what you are
Due to your remarkable personality and qualities.
Writer(s): David Bowie Copyright: Carlin Music Corp.
Contributed by Owen K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
slatrybartfast42
really good cover
Piotr Natalczuk
indeed.
Javier Chadwick
David Bowie...!!! 💜 💜 💜