While "Good" earned the band critical notoriety and substantial underground cred, they did not -- with this release or any subsequent -- break into the mainstream. After the release of Good, the band replaced Dupree with Billy Conway, a former bandmate of Sandman. Morphine's 1992 release of Cure for Pain, promoted by heavy touring, received some mainstream positive attention, selling over 300,000 copies worldwide and spawning a chart hit in many countries with the single Buena
Subsequent releases include Yes and Like Swimming.
On July 3, 1999, Mark Sandman collapsed on stage in Palestrina, Italy, a suburb of Rome. He was pronounced dead of a heart attack at the scene. He was 46. Morphine released The Night -- arguably their best effort -- posthumously in 2000.
After Sandman's death, the remaining band members reformed and continued to record as Twinemen and later as The Ever Expanding Elastic Waste Band
In 2004, the Mark Sandman box set Sandbox was released by Hi-n-Dry, Mark Sandman's own label. It contains two CDs and a DVD of previously unreleased material spanning Sandman’s musical career. The DVD features clips from early Sandman shows, interviews from the Morphine tours, and various videos from other Sandman solo and group projects, such as Treat Her Right.
"Some day there'll be a cure for pain,
And that's the day I throw my drugs away" - Mark Sandman
Links:
The Other Side - A Morphine Fanzine
Morphine at Myspace
Claire
Morphine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You never liked me much anyways
You told me, "Meet you about half past eight"
You said you'd kill me if I was late, Claire
Oh, Claire
You drove me up and down the street
I still remember everything you said
That's the reason I had to say away from Claire
Oh Claire
Oh Claire
[Inaudible]
That's funny you know
I don't miss you at all, not even a little
You bitch
I still love you
I still remember seeing you sleep
All twisted up inside the sheets
And I still remember everything you said
Every time I hear your name, Claire
Oh Claire
Oh Claire
Claire
Morphine's "Claire" is a hauntingly beautiful song about the complexities of a relationship with a woman named Claire. The song tells the story of a man who has been mistreated and used by Claire, but despite everything, he still loves her. The opening line, "Treat me wrong, Honey I don't care" sets the tone for the entire song. The man seems resigned to being hurt by Claire, as he feels like she never liked him much to begin with. The second line, "You told me, 'Meet you about half past eight', You said you'd kill me if I was late, Claire" suggests that Claire is controlling and even violent.
As the song continues, the man describes how Claire has used him up like gasoline, but he still remembers everything she said. He has tried to stay away from her, but her presence lingers in his memories. In the middle of the song, there is an indistinguishable line, followed by the man calling Claire a "bitch" and confessing that he still loves her despite everything. The song ends with the man remembering seeing Claire sleep, twisted up inside the sheets and still holding on to every word she ever said.
The lyrics portray both the pain and the obsession that can come with a toxic relationship. The man is aware of the harm that Claire has caused him, but he can't seem to let her go. Overall, the song is a haunting and poetic portrayal of a complicated love affair.
Line by Line Meaning
Treat me wrong, Honey I don't care
You made a mess of me, but I am done caring now
You never liked me much anyways
It was clear from the start that you didn't want me as I was
You told me, "Meet you about half past eight"
You set me up for disappointment with your false promises
You said you'd kill me if I was late, Claire
Your threats made me fear for my life in your company
You drove me up and down the street
You manipulated and played with me like a game
You used me up like gasoline
You took advantage of my affection and burnt me out
I still remember everything you said
Your words and actions were etched deep into my memory
That's the reason I had to stay away from Claire
Your toxicity made me decide to keep my distance from you
That's funny you know
It's ironic how I can now see through your lies and deception
I don't miss you at all, not even a little
I have moved on from you and I don't long for your presence anymore
You bitch
Your selfishness and cruelty earned you this title
I still love you
Despite all the hurt, I can't help but hold lingering feelings for you
I still remember seeing you sleep
Even in moments of vulnerability, you couldn't let down your mask
All twisted up inside the sheets
Your inner turmoil was visible even in your peaceful sleep
Every time I hear your name, Claire
Your name still has the power to trigger painful memories
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Mark Sandman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@camig5632
Treat me wrong, Honey I don't care
You never liked me much anyways
You told me, "Meet you about half past eight"
You said you'd kill me if I was late, Claire
Oh, Claire
You drove me up and down the street
You used me up like gasoline
I still remember everything you said
That's the reason I had to say away from Claire
Oh Claire
Oh Claire
That's funny you know
I don't miss you at all, not even a little
You bitch
I still love you
I still remember seeing you sleep
All twisted up inside the sheets
And I still remember everything you said
Every time I hear your name, Claire
Oh Claire
Oh Claire
Claire
@chamucomx2003
The most profound, straightforward and mellifluous solo...
@BlackJack18rs
This solo is so good :o
@claireh744
Man I love this song
@despairthewumbo9804
Damn that breakdown is both heart wrenching and beautiful
@FlavioAlvesReal
Acordei com essa em mente! Essa banda era muito original, muito massa!
@QuasiTraction
Her name wasn't Claire, but she's filed in the playlist. Forever inscribed on my memory, too.
@lastoversky1774
Nice
@billypeterburs624
yes thank you RIP mark sandman. july 3 1999. this is time less.
@lorenziron7337
Parole sprecate ma Fottuto capolavoro ... Thank You Forever Sandman ..
@richardbelzerbub9579
Always loved this song, being from Eau Claire Wi. Yah!