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".
Crystal Wrists
Peter Murphy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They speak of feats the housed forever
A howling wind changed my course
It blew me out of bounds so sore
All the walls, all the walls that bound me
Descending bleak and put upon
I chew my cheeks to wake up from
These eyes that snigger and despise
The wall grows taller up to doom
Shoes in my room, thrown in disgust
At how I fall to my worst
Of course you say you don't understand
Your words, your fiction, your crooked hands
But clearly now, I tell you man
That all I say Is all I can
For I am nothing but my sin
Until I learn to caste them in
While young girls fangs and crystal wrists
Wait patiently for me to twist
I look away to distant rains
To water falls and honey days
And boys in black and blue rinse eyes
Gaze whistly at my slender thighs
I twist a shade to my right
And spit at beelzebub on sight
And go on loving all I see
For here I live on patiently
Clearly now, I tell you man
That all I say Is all I can
For I am nothing but my sin
Until I learn to caste them in
The lyrics to Peter Murphy's song "Crystal Wrists" describe a feeling of being trapped and unsure of how to move forward. The singer speaks of feeling thrown in disgust and unable to see the light. The song touches on themes of betrayal and disappointment, as the singer references being let down by others and feeling like they are nothing but their sins. Despite these feelings, there is a glimmer of hope in the singer's determination to cast off their sins and move forward.
The second part of the lyrics introduces a series of intriguing images, such as young girls with crystal wrists and boys with blue rinse eyes. These images add to the dreamlike quality of the song and give the sense that the singer is lost in their own thoughts and emotions. The final lines of the song suggest that the singer will continue to love and live patiently, even in the face of adversity.
Overall, "Crystal Wrists" is a haunting and introspective song that explores the depths of human emotion and the struggle to overcome personal obstacles.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't see the light, I'm thrown in disgust
I feel lost and disgusted, unable to find my way or see a positive path forward.
They speak of feats the housed forever
Others talk about success that lasts, but it feels out of reach for me.
A howling wind changed my course
An unexpected and negative event threw me off track.
It blew me out of bounds so sore
The event was painful and left me feeling lost and out of control.
All the walls, all the walls that bound me
I feel trapped and limited by the circumstances I am in.
Descending bleak and put upon
My situation is getting worse and I feel burdened by it.
I chew my cheeks to wake up from
I am desperate to snap out of this negative mindset.
The vase grows bigger to my eyes
The world around me feels overwhelming and intimidating.
These eyes that snigger and despise
I feel cynical and resentful towards the world and those around me.
The wall grows taller up to doom
My obstacles and limitations feel insurmountable and will lead to my downfall.
Shoes in my room, thrown in disgust
I feel frustration and anger towards myself for my current situation.
At how I fall to my worst
I am disappointed in my lack of progress and feel like I am failing.
Of course you say you don't understand
Others may not be able to comprehend or relate to my struggles.
Your words, your fiction, your crooked hands
I feel like people are not being truthful or genuine with me and may even be working against me.
But clearly now, I tell you man
I am speaking honestly and directly to others about my struggles.
That all I say Is all I can
I am being truthful about my feelings and limitations.
For I am nothing but my sin
I feel defined by my mistakes and shortcomings.
Until I learn to caste them in
I hope to overcome my negative tendencies and become a better person.
While young girls fangs and crystal wrists
I am surrounded by those who are young and beautiful, and may be tempted by their allure.
Wait patiently for me to twist
Others are waiting for me to give in to temptation or to change in some way.
I look away to distant rains
I try to find solace in nature or by looking beyond my current situation.
To waterfalls and honey days
I dream of idyllic and peaceful settings.
And boys in black and blue rinse eyes
I am attracted to those who are troubled or damaged in some way, and may have a self-destructive streak.
Gaze whistly at my slender thighs
Others may be attracted to me physically, but I am not sure if it is for the right reasons.
I twist a shade to my right
I try to change my perspective or outlook on my situation.
And spit at beelzebub on sight
I reject temptation or negative influences.
And go on loving all I see
I try to find beauty and positivity in the world around me.
For here I live on patiently
Despite my struggles, I try to remain optimistic and wait for better days.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MURPHY, STATHAM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind