In 1979 Arcieri and Moser released their second album, Hibernation.
In 1980 the band officially changed its name to "Krisma". Their third album, Cathode Mamma, featured Hans Zimmer on synthesizer. The single "Many Kisses" was met with great success in Europe. Around this time Krisma developed the first minisequencer, known as Krismino. Krisma left Polygram for CGD, then part of the CBS group, in 1981.
In 1982 Krisma released Clandestine Anticipation, an experimental album dealing with water in all of its forms (liquid, ice, vapor, fog, snow and rain) supported by a series of videos filmed in tropical locations. The clips were first shown on Carlo Massarini's Mister Fantasy TV program on Rai 1.
Krisma moved to New York City in 1986. They directed three videos for MTV, and soon after they began to work for France 2. In Italy they often appeared on the program "Be Bop a Lula" hosted by Red Ronnie for Italia Uno. The single "Nothing To Do With the Dog" (retitled "Fido" in international markets) and "Iceberg" were released during this time.
In 1988 Non ho denaro was released. It was their last album to be released on vinyl, and today it is one of the hardest-to-find Krisma records.
During the 1990s Krisma's early records were remastered. They continued to do freelance work for the Italian state broadcasting company Rai 3, and they were credited for crafting the special effects on the Marco Ferreri film Nitrato d'Argento (1996). Krisma also designed several video-art installations and worked as consultants for Benetton's Centro Ricerca Comunicazione. On July 22, 1998 the couple launched Krisma TV, which was broadcast through the Skyplex satellite service (and later Eutelstat) to Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.
In June 2000 the band opened their website, www.krismatv.net. Arcieri made a comeback attempt with Re-Birth, a solo project, around the same time. The single "Kara" was released in 2001 in both Italian and English versions. In 2002 Krisma collaborated with the Turin-based band Subsonica on the track Nuova Ossessione.
Cathode Mamma
Krisma Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Television sets.
I like Television sets
Because they have voices
For when you are alone.
I like
With pre-printed kisses
To leave my lips ice-cold.
Cathode mamma kiss me
In my cable paradise.
Cathode mamma kiss me
- My seven-channel wife.
I like
Television sets
They fill my empty rooms
With electronic stone.
I like
Television sets
Because they don't hit back
When you turn them off.
Cathode mamma etc
I like
Television sets
They never go to sleep
But glitter through the night.
I like
Television sets
They always stay at home
And keep my bed so warm.
Cathode mamma etc
I like
Television sets
When they borrow pictures
For their video friends.
I like
Television sets etc
The lyrics of Krisma's "Cathode Mamma" reflect the singer's obsession with and dependance on television sets. When the singer is alone, the television sets' voices fill the empty space and give her comfort. The pre-printed kisses on the television sets' screens provide her with a sense of physical closeness, even though the lips are ice-cold. The singer calls the television set her "cable paradise" and her "seven-channel wife," highlighting how TV has replaced human relationships in her life.
The singer's love for television sets goes beyond companionship; she also sees them as a source of entertainment and distraction. The sets fill her empty rooms with "electronic stone," a metaphor for the static, lifeless signals that TV broadcasts. The singer finds solace in television sets because they never hit back, never sleep, and never leave home. To her, they are a constant presence in her life, always glittering through the night and keeping her bed warm.
The repeated refrain of "Cathode mamma kiss me" adds an even darker undercurrent to the song. The singer seems to be calling out to the television set as a parental figure, begging for affection and attention that she cannot or will not receive from anyone else. The song's overall message is a commentary on the perils of excessive consumption of TV and technology, and how it can replace genuine human connection.
Line by Line Meaning
I like Television sets.
The singer enjoys watching television.
Because they have voices
For when you are alone.
Television provides comfort and company when one is alone.
With pre-printed kisses
To leave my lips ice-cold.
The fake kisses in TV shows leave the singer feeling unfulfilled and empty.
Cathode mamma kiss me
In my cable paradise.
Cathode mamma kiss me
- My seven-channel wife.
The singer longs for the comfort and escape of television programming.
They fill my empty rooms
With electronic stone.
Television fills the emptiness in the singer's surroundings with moving images and sound.
Because they don't hit back
When you turn them off.
Television is a source of entertainment that doesn't retaliate when it is shut off.
They never go to sleep
But glitter through the night.
Television programming is a constant source of light and movement even in the darkest parts of the night.
They always stay at home
And keep my bed so warm.
Television is always in the same place, providing a sense of stability and warmth to the singer.
When they borrow pictures
For their video friends.
Television borrows images and stories from other mediums to create its programming.
I like Television sets etc
The singer likes television for its ability to provide entertainment and distraction from reality.
Contributed by Grayson M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.