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".
Crème de la crème
Peter Murphy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To find the new: we throw Saturn dice.
We dream in gold and Simurg blue.
Crème de la crème – it′s to death adieu.
Now we're laying on new waves.
Our guns have lost their victims′ names.
Our concrete minds have turned to dust
Now we're laying on new waves.
Our guns have lost their victims' names.
Our concrete minds have turned to dust
Angelic police have killed our lust.
Tidal overflow reads the sign.
The secret soul is all that shines.
We sing our praise in modal tones.
And Dorian′s mirror: we do not own.
We′re being lit by the shining one.
Out of ourselves.
To ourselves we've gone.
We click the heels of our glitter red shoes.
Crème de la crème – it′s to death adieu.
Now we're laying on new waves.
Our guns have lost their victims′ names.
Out of ourselves
Out of ourselves
Out of ourselves
Out of ourselves
Out of ourselves
Out of ourselves
Out of ourselves
Out of ourselves
Out of ourselves
Out of ourselves
Out of ourselves
Out of ourselves
Oo
The secret soul
The secret soul
The secret soul
Oo
Oo
Oo
The lyrics of Peter Murphy's song "Crème de la crème" are filled with poetic imagery and metaphors, creating a sense of longing for something new and escaping from the constraints of society. The song speaks to a desire for freedom, both from physical limitations and the constraints of the mind.
In the opening lines, Murphy describes a journey to a new land, where the ice is painted, indicating a sense of transformation and uniqueness. The mention of throwing "Saturn dice" suggests a willingness to take chances and embrace the unknown. The use of colors like gold and Simurg blue further reinforces the idea of seeking something different and extraordinary.
As the song progresses, Murphy speaks of laying on new waves, implying a sense of floating or being carried by change. The guns losing their victims' names symbolize a relinquishing of violence and a move towards peace. The line about "concrete minds" turning to dust suggests a breakdown of rigid thinking and a shift towards openness and vulnerability.
The mention of angelic police killing lust could represent societal expectations and norms stifling individual desire and passion. The tidal overflow and the shining secret soul reflect a hidden truth or essence that shines brighter than anything else. The reference to singing praise in modal tones and not owning Dorian's mirror can be interpreted as rejecting conventional forms of expression and rejecting the pressure to conform to standards imposed by others.
Overall, "Crème de la crème" speaks to the longing for exploration, transformation, and the pursuit of true essence and individuality.
Line by Line Meaning
We joined this land, where they paint the ice.
We entered a new territory where people constantly change and adapt.
To find the new: we throw Saturn dice.
We take chances and make random choices in search of something different.
We dream in gold and Simurg blue.
Our dreams are filled with desires for wealth and a mythical blue bird representing transcendence.
Crème de la crème – it's to death adieu.
The highest or best is moving away from the concept of death.
Now we're laying on new waves.
We are embracing new experiences and opportunities.
Our guns have lost their victims' names.
We no longer view others as targets or enemies.
Our concrete minds have turned to dust.
Our rigid and inflexible thinking has disintegrated.
Angelic police have killed our lust.
Higher beings or moral principles have put an end to our desires.
Tidal overflow reads the sign.
A natural surge and movement of emotions reveals a message or indication.
The secret soul is all that shines.
What truly matters and possesses brilliance is our hidden essence.
We sing our praise in modal tones.
We express our admiration and respect through various musical modes or styles.
And Dorian's mirror: we do not own.
We do not possess or control the reflection of our true selves.
We're being lit by the shining one.
We are illuminated and guided by a divine or radiant being.
Out of ourselves. To ourselves we've gone.
We have transcended our previous state of being and discovered our true selves.
We click the heels of our glitter red shoes.
We express our excitement and joy by tapping our sparkling red footwear.
Crème de la crème – it's to death adieu.
The absolute best is saying farewell to the concept of death.
The secret soul
The hidden essence
Oo
Unknown or indeterminate
Writer(s): Peter Murphy, David Baron
Contributed by Jayden I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Nina Morton
Absolutely beautiful 💞
antonio quizpe
Muy distinto a los otros temas de Murphy, este disco tiene su propia atmosfera de misterio. Gran tema.
klauditagore
HERMOSO...
Peter Murphy fan
so so beautiful
magnificent bastard
Fucking incredible!
magnificent bastard
This song is f#cking incredible! This is Peter Murphy!!
Cristina Almodovar
Don't go yet, OK!!?? ❤️
underyooink
k tranza kon la crema se agri o k pexxxxx no rrifa parece embutdo mas bien