Legendary artist Patti Smith and My Bloody Valentine's Kevin Shields are se… Read Full Bio ↴Legendary artist Patti Smith and My Bloody Valentine's Kevin Shields are set to release a double-disc set of their live performance of The Coral Sea on July 11, 2008 on their own PASK imprint. The Coral Sea is Patti Smith's posthumous homage to her friend and photographer Robert Mapplethorpe and the title to her 1996 book. Kevin Shields accompanies her on guitars and effects and creates a haunting backdrop to the spoken prose.

The recordings were made June 22nd 2005 and September 12th, 2006 respectively at sold-out performances at the QEH in London. The set will run almost two-hours with a different stylistic approach to each performance. The UK's Guardian upon reviewing the 2005 performance gave it 5 stars and called it "magical."

One critic said of the live performance: A kind of screaming requiem, The Coral Sea describes Mapplethorpe's terminal illness. Intense, layered electronics surged to a discordant climax as Patti Smith read her poem, the words sailing over the noise like an ocean liner, with the black-and-white video showing the ocean, the liner and the grey twilight of grief. The poem tells the story of M (Mapplethorpe) on a final voyage to see the stars of the Southern Cross before he dies.

Long-rumored to be released on CD, this first official issuing of these live recordings have been curated with care by both Patti Smith and Kevin Shields. Whether the duo will reprise this performance in the future is still unknown, but probably unlikely, given My Bloody Valentine's recent re-formation and Shields' infamous reclusiveness.

[untitled]
Patti Smith & Kevin Shields Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Please
Tonight
Last night
You
You're always
You're wonderful
I wanted you
I do

I do
I do

City girl
I want
You

City girl
You're beautiful
I love you
I do
I do
I do

City girl
You're beautiful
I love you
I do
I do
I do

City girl
I want you

City girl
You're beautiful
I love you
I do

I do
I do

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of [Untitled] are simple and repetitive, yet they express a deep sense of longing and desire for a particular person - a city girl. The singer seems to have spent the last two nights with this person, and they are clearly infatuated with them. The repeated phrase "I do" suggests a desire for commitment and perhaps even love. The use of "you're always" also suggests a sense of familiarity and comfort with this person.

The use of "city girl" as a moniker for this person adds a layer of mystique and romanticism to their relationship. The singer seems to be captivated by the energy and allure of the city, and by extension, the person they are with. The repetition of "you're beautiful" and "I love you" only emphasizes their infatuation and the depth of their feelings.

Overall, the lyrics of [Untitled] convey a sense of raw, unbridled emotion and a yearning for connection and intimacy with another person, particularly one who embodies the vibrancy and excitement of city life.

Line by Line Meaning

Please
I need something from you

Tonight
This immediate moment

Last night
Not too long ago

You
Referring to a specific person

You're always
Consistent behavior

You're wonderful
Highly admirable person

I wanted you
I desired your presence

I do
Confirmation of a decision

City girl
Female from an urban environment

I want
I yearn for

You
Referring to a specific person