By 1983, Bauhaus broke up and Murphy went on to new projects not involving Bauhaus members Kevin Haskins, David J, or Daniel Ash. After some brief dabbling with acting and dance - including a slightly odd televised performance to Bauhaus's "Hollow Hills" - he soon formed Dalis Car with Mick Karn, the bass player from Japan.
Murphy's solo career over time became more varied than Bauhaus, ranging from pseudo-pop to haunting ballads that showcased his deep and complex vocals. After the commercial non-start of Dali's Car, Murphy's first solo album was similarly overlooked. Should the World Fail to Fall Apart did spawn several singles, including a cover of Pere Ubu's "Final Solution" that made a minor splash on the club scene.
The followup, Love Hysteria, did much better. It also marked the beginning of a long-term collaboration with songwriter Paul Statham, who co-wrote songs with Murphy until 1995. The resulting singles "All Night Long" and "Indigo Eyes" helped garner a wider following, and the black-and-white video for "All Night Long" entered rotation on MTV.
The pinnacle of Murphy's solo popularity came with the release of Deep. For this album Murphy reinvented himself as somewhat of a rock-god, now sporting hair dyed platinum blonde and performing a much more aggressive alt-rock sound. The single "Cuts You Up" from Deep held on to the top spot on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart for longer than any other single before - displacing "So Alive" by his former Bauhaus-bandmates Love and Rockets.
In 2000, Murphy performed his international Just for Love tour, which resulted in the album aLive Just for Love. It is a live recording of the fully uninterrupted set from the El Rey show in Los Angeles on November 30, 2000. During the tour, Murphy chose to perform with only two back-up musicians, Canadian electric violinist Hugh Marsh and Peter DiStefano from Porno for Pyros on guitar, although former Bauhaus bassist David J sometimes joined the trio for an encore. At this point he also contributed to works by noted film composer Harry Gregson-Williams.
Also in 2000, Murphy gave a nod to the North American goth scene, where his solo works and his works with Bauhaus are still very popular, by making a surprise guest appearance at the sixth annual Convergence festival in Seattle, to perform a low-key, acoustic solo set.
In 2004, Murphy signed to yet another new label, Viastar, which was home to several other 1980s pop artists who had moved into more eclectic areas. Despite numerous problems with the label, the album Unshattered was released, showcasing Murphy returning to a more pop sound.
Murphy undertook extensive tours of the U.S.A and Europe to promote 'Unshattered' in 2005, with a live band featuring guitarist Mark Gemini Thwaite of The Mission UK and Tricky on guitar, Jeff Schwartoff of Human Waste Project and Professional Murder Music on bass and Justin Bennett of Skinny Puppy on drums. Murphy and the band reconvened in November 2007 for shows in Portugal and Spain, with Nick Lucero replacing Bennett on drums. In May 2008 Murphy recorded a cover of the song "Warm Leatherette" with Trent Reznor and Jeordie White from Nine Inch Nails. This was played live at an intimate studio performance, and the video recording was released on both the official Nine Inch Nails website and YouTube. A full-length album called Ninth was released in 2011, featuring the single "I Spit Roses".
Cascade
Peter Murphy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We're just called the good friends
We call the madmen back
As they fly to the ant hills
We never know, we never know
We sleep in satin nights
Throwing energy like bluebirds
In twilight
We call to stillness
As we kiss the water king's hand
We hear the one same name
As the darker the land gets
We never know, we never know
We're fueling for the light
Cascading like the rain
In twilight
Waiting for you, you look so close, we walk
A thousand stairs
Aching for your hand, our love a distant
Voice, we have no image we are light
We are not asking
No favors from the dead
We wash with moonlit hands
On the shores of our island
We never know, we never know
We sleep in satin nights
Throwing energy in silver curves
In twilight
The lyrics to Peter Murphy's song Cascade have a dream-like quality that creates a mystical and surreal atmosphere. The imagery in the song is vivid and poetic, evoking feelings of longing, yearning, and a sense of transcendence. The opening lines, "We have no image, we're just called the good friends," suggest a sense of anonymity and a lack of defined identity, as if the singer is part of a group that exists without individuality.
The lyrics continue with references to "madmen" flying to ant hills, and calling to stillness and the water king's hand. These lines evoke a sense of ritual, and a connection to an alternate reality. The refrain "we never know, we never know" adds to the sense of mystery and uncertainty that permeates the song. The lines "we're fueling for the light, cascading like the rain in twilight" suggest a quest for illumination and a sense of purpose, with a feeling of urgency that is mirrored in the line "waiting for you, you look so close, we walk a thousand stairs, aching for your hand, our love a distant voice, we have no image we are light."
The chorus "we are not asking, no favors from the dead, we wash with moonlit hands on the shores of our island" suggests a sense of independence and a resistance to external influences. The final lines "we never know, we never know, we sleep in satin nights, throwing energy in silver curves, in twilight" leave the listener with a lingering sense of mystery and beauty.
Line by Line Meaning
We have no image
We don't have a tangible or physical form, we are something beyond what can be seen or touched
We're just called the good friends
We are a group of people who share a deep connection and bond, often providing comfort to one another
We call the madmen back
We try to bring back those who are lost in their own world or thoughts, who may have drifted away from society or reality
As they fly to the ant hills
As they retreat to a place of chaos and confusion, away from the order of humanity
We never know, we never know
We are uncertain and unaware of what the future holds, or what lies in store for us
We sleep in satin nights
We find comfort and solace in our dreams and fantasies, often escaping from the harsh reality of life
Throwing energy like bluebirds
We emit positive energy and enthusiasm, spreading joy and happiness wherever we go
In twilight
During the transition between day and night, when light fades and darkness sets in
We call to stillness
We seek calmness and serenity amidst the chaos of life, trying to find inner peace
As we kiss the water king's hand
As we pay our respects to nature and its elements, acknowledging their power and significance
We hear the one same name
We are all united by a common thread or calling, sharing a collective identity or purpose
As the darker the land gets
As things get worse and more uncertain around us
We're fueling for the light
We continue to work hard and persevere, in the hopes of overcoming our obstacles and seeing brighter days ahead
Cascading like the rain
Flowing effortlessly and seamlessly, like droplets of water falling from the sky
Waiting for you, you look so close, we walk
We eagerly await the arrival of someone close to us, walking with anticipation and excitement
A thousand stairs
A metaphorical journey that we have to climb, often challenging and difficult
Aching for your hand, our love a distant voice, we have no image we are light
We long for a connection with those who are far away or difficult to reach, our love is a whisper that we must listen closely to, and we are made of pure energy and warmth
We are not asking
We don't expect or request anything from anyone
No favors from the dead
We aren't seeking help or support from those who have already passed away
We wash with moonlit hands
We purify ourselves and cleanse our souls, with the light of the moon guiding us
On the shores of our island
In a place where we feel safe and secure, a metaphorical haven or refuge
Throwing energy in silver curves
We are emitting positive energy, radiating enthusiasm and grace, in a smooth and graceful manner
In twilight
During the transition between day and night, when light fades and darkness sets in
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: MURPHY, STATHAM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind