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".
The Prince & Old Lady Shade
Peter Murphy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Not guilty or the like
A true friend sip and soft
No suffering cry
All names and some cranks
He'd powdered all off
Their sycophantic gifts
Old lady shade turns
A Vespertilian thing
A motion event
A friend of the jinn
The prince and old lady shade
The prince and old lady shade
She has a fair eye
She takes her fair share
Of the city's mid day
That lunch lady's glare
The prince and old lady shade
The prince and old lady shade
General Woo very nearly smiled
Saw the light in the little child
The prince and old lady shade
The prince and old lady shade
Oh
Oh
The Prince & Old Lady Shade by Peter Murphy chronicles the story of two unlikely friends, the prince who is described as "a bird" and Old Lady Shade who turns out to be a "Vespertilian thing", a friend of the jinn. The prince is presented in a positive light, as a true friend, soft, and someone who avoids causing others to suffer. He is also described as not guilty, all names and some cranks, paving the idea that he has transcended the trappings of society. He is not corrupted by power, social class, or greed, unlike his peers who offer him sycophantic gifts that are never enough.
Old Lady Shade, on the other hand, is considered a creature of the night, a Vespertilian thing, but is an ally to the jinn. She takes her fair share of the city's mid-day, a reference to how vampires and other nocturnal creatures sleep during the day. The lyrics also mention the lunch lady's glare, which could be interpreted as an allusion to the gaze of society, always on the lookout for those who don't fit in.
The song's message is about the unusual friendships that can occur amidst society's conventions. The lyrics suggest that diverse characters can find common ground in the unexpected. The Prince and Old Lady Shade are two examples of such conformity. It also portrays the notion that sometimes, to find true friendship, one must look past the confines of social class and power.
Line by Line Meaning
The prince was a bird
The prince symbolizes lightness and freedom of spirit, unburdened by the weight of responsibility and guilt.
Not guilty or the like
The prince's carefree nature is untainted by any negative emotions such as guilt, fear, or regret.
A true friend sip and soft
The prince is a gentle and loyal friend who is always there to offer a comforting, supportive presence.
No suffering cry
The prince is not one to complain or express pain, but instead endures hardship with quiet strength and dignity.
All names and some cranks
The prince has encountered a variety of people, some of whom are eccentric or unpredictable, but he takes them all in stride.
He'd powdered all off
The prince has a way of smoothing over conflicts or negativity, diffusing situations with his peaceful presence.
Their sycophantic gifts
The prince has had many admirers who offer him flattery and gifts, but he sees through their insincere motives.
Were never enough
Despite the attention and gifts he receives, the prince is not materialistic and does not seek external validation for his worth.
Old lady shade turns
The song shifts its focus to a new character, the enigmatic and mysterious old lady shade.
A Vespertilian thing
The old lady shade has bat-like qualities, suggesting perhaps nocturnal habits, unusual powers, or a sense of otherness.
A motion event
The old lady shade seems to move in an unusual or striking way, attracting attention and creating a sense of mystical energy.
A friend of the jinn
The old lady shade is connected to the spirits or supernatural beings known as jinn, hinting at her hidden knowledge or powers.
She has a fair eye
The old lady shade's gaze is piercing, perhaps conveying wisdom or insight that others cannot see.
She takes her fair share
The old lady shade is not greedy but takes only what she needs or deserves, balancing her own desires with the needs of the community.
Of the city's mid day
The old lady shade is present and active during the hustle and bustle of the day, playing her part in the social fabric of the city.
That lunch lady's glare
The old lady shade may face scrutiny or suspicion from others, perhaps due to her unconventional appearance or behavior.
General Woo very nearly smiled
This line suggests a moment of levity or humor, as General Woo (a previously unnamed character) almost cracks a smile at something surprising or amusing.
Saw the light in the little child
General Woo recognizes the spark of potential or innocence in a young person, reminding us that even troubled times hold hope and promise for future generations.
Oh
This exclamation may serve to punctuate the song with a sense of emotional release, or as an exhortation to the listener to pay attention to the meaning of the lyrics.
Contributed by Adrian G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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+ Lyrics +
The prince was a bird
Not guilty or the like
A true friend sip and soft
No suffering cry
All names and some cranks
He'd powdered all off
Their sycophantic gifts were never enough
Old lady shade turns a vespertilian thing
A motion event
A friend of the jinn!
The prince and old lady shade
She has a fair eye
She takes her fair share of the city's mid day
That lunch lady's glare
The prince and old lady shade
General woo very nearly smiled
Saw the light in the little child
The prince and old lady shade
diego sanchez
Gran canción ...maravillosa la voz de Peter ❤ 🌹🌹🌹🌹
eon shell
Pete's voice is the instrument most bands dont have
MR.JOHN PERRY
Sounds like bowie too much just close your eyes and its david murphy
Sarah Navarro Duncan
@MR.JOHN PERRY 🙄
John S
@MR.JOHN PERRY Time for an audiological examination.
Daniel Green
Peter Murphy has a voice which shocks the Soul and reaches parts that others just have no concept of! A brilliant performer and showman been a fan of his musical performances all my life
Belznis
could not have said better, his voice touches the soul and moves you, in fact sometimes you travel with his songs.
Victoria
his voice makes you float away. forget about the shit your going through and you get lost in his voice. we love you peter!! <3
Inspector Count Mortis Winship Blunderfield Klaw
Yet sings and glorifies what imprisons and murders us
Scott Romans
Loved this guy since Bauhous ..his voice and lyrical expression gives me goosebumps....