Both had drummed with Ministry, and were pleased with the notion of a rock music band with two drummers, rather than the usual one. The duo formed Pigface, and began a revolving-door collaboration with many experimentally-minded musicians, many of whom — especially early on — had recorded for the influential industrial music record label Wax Trax.
Trent Reznor was also an early partner, when, due to legal troubles, Nine Inch Nails were prevented from recording under that name. "Suck" — cowritten with and sung by Reznor — was something of an underground hit, and Reznor later rerecorded the song.
Rieflin eventually left Pigface, leaving Atkins in charge. The dozens--perhaps hundreds--of musical collaborators to record and perform with Pigface have ensured that each album, and each song, is unique. This practice has, however, led to some negative criticism due to a perceived lack of continuity.
Pigface concerts are characterized by high-energy performances. Frequently there will be upwards of 10 people on stage at any time during the show. Not only that but Martin Atkins and the rest of the band love interacting with the audience, and members of the audience are nearly always invited on stage for the encore.
Kiss King
Pigface Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who's scared of dust
Whose ways had tempted you afar
The twist in this
Was fear alive
It took the stars to show me
I am for the kiss king
Like a rush that never fades
High
(high high high)
High
and at the window
Late at night
I turned away
To run with light
I twisted this
To feel alive
Till bigger ashes
Shook me
I am for the kiss king
Did I come up for sky
Like a rush that never fades
High
(high high high)
High
(high high high)
High
(high high high)
High
I would never
Pick this pain apart
Do you want to?
I want to
I would never
Pick this pain apart
Do you want to?
I am for the kiss king
Did I come up for sky
(kiss king touch me kiss king high high high)
I am for the kiss king
Did I come up for sky
Like a rush that never fades
High
(high high high)
(kiss king)
I am for the kiss king
I am for the kiss king
I am for the kiss king
I am for the kiss king
(high high high)
(high high high)
(high high high)
I wish that I could play with
The river ashes showed me
The song Kiss King by Pigface is a complex composition with somewhat abstract lyrics that deal with themes of fear, temptation, and liberation. The first stanza describes a person lying in bed and smiling, seemingly unafraid of dust and the things that had previously tempted them. However, the twist in the situation is that the person was actually scared, and it took the stars to show them the truth. This seems to set the stage for a journey in which the person is seeking some kind of freedom or release from their fears.
The chorus of the song declares the person's allegiance to the "kiss king", a figure who may represent some kind of spiritual or artistic force that can help them to transcend their fears and limitations. The repeated phrase "did I come up for sky" suggests a sense of rising above the mundane and everyday concerns of life, seeking a higher purpose or meaning. The verses that follow describe the person standing at a window late at night, yearning to run away and escape their fears. However, they also recognize that this twisting and turning is what makes them feel alive, and that they need to confront their pain rather than trying to pick it apart and analyze it.
Overall, Kiss King is a song that invites interpretation and reflection, offering a glimpse into the inner life of someone who is struggling to find their way in the world. It is a testament to the power of music to express complex emotions and ideas, and to help us find meaning and purpose in our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
In bed I smile
I am content and happy in the present moment
Who's scared of dust
I am fearless and unbothered by trivial things
Whose ways had tempted you afar
Someone's actions tempted me to go beyond my limits
The twist in this
There is an unexpected turn of events happening
Was fear alive
I was scared and unsure of what was happening
It took the stars to show me
I needed a significant event to help me see the truth
I am for the kiss king
I am completely devoted and in love with the Kiss King
Did I come up for sky
Am I reaching for the sky or my dreams?
Like a rush that never fades
The feeling of being with the Kiss King is always exhilarating and never dull
High
Feeling exhilarated and euphoric
and at the window
I am looking out of a window
Late at night
It is very late at night
I turned away
I purposely looked away from something
To run with light
To chase after something or someone with energy and passion
I twisted this
I distorted the truth or the situation to benefit myself
To feel alive
I did something to feel more awake and engaged with my surroundings
Till bigger ashes
Until a larger, more significant obstacle or event occurred
Shook me
It caused me to reevaluate my actions and perspective
I would never
I would never do something
Pick this pain apart
Examine and analyze the pain I am feeling
Do you want to?
Are you interested in analyzing and understanding my pain?
I want to
I am willing and interested in examining my own pain
I am for the kiss king
I am completely devoted and in love with the Kiss King
kiss king touch me
I desire physical contact and attention from the Kiss King
I wish that I could play with
I desire to interact with something in a playful manner
The river ashes showed me
A significant event or obstacle helped me gain insight and perspective
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MARTIN CLIVE ATKINS, MARYDEE REYNOLDS, ROBERT ASHLEY CATLIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@DJJezzebella
Pigface - Kiss King
In bed I smile
Who's scared of dust
Whose ways had tempted
You afar
The twist in this
Was fear alive
It took the stars to show me
I am for the kiss king
Did I come up for sky
Like a rush that never fades
High
(high high high)
High
And at the window
Late at night
I turned away
To run with light
I twisted this
To feel alive
Till bigger ashes
Shook me
I am for the kiss king
Did I come up for sky
Like a rush that never fades
High
(high high high)
High
(high high high)
High
(high high high)
High
I would never
Pick this pain apart
Do you want to
I want to
I would never
Pick this pain apart
Do you want to
I am for the kiss king
Did I come up for sky
(kiss king touch me kiss king high high high)
I am for the kiss king
Did I come up for sky
Like a rush that never fades
High
(high high high)
(kiss king)
I am for the kiss king
I am for the kiss king
I am for the kiss king
I am for the kiss king
(high high high)
(high high high)
(high high high)
I wish that I could play with
The river ashes showed me
I wish that I could play with
The river ashes showed me
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Martin Clive Atkins / Marydee Reynolds / Robert Ashley Catlin
Kiss King (High High High) lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
@DJJezzebella
Pigface - Kiss King
In bed I smile
Who's scared of dust
Whose ways had tempted
You afar
The twist in this
Was fear alive
It took the stars to show me
I am for the kiss king
Did I come up for sky
Like a rush that never fades
High
(high high high)
High
And at the window
Late at night
I turned away
To run with light
I twisted this
To feel alive
Till bigger ashes
Shook me
I am for the kiss king
Did I come up for sky
Like a rush that never fades
High
(high high high)
High
(high high high)
High
(high high high)
High
I would never
Pick this pain apart
Do you want to
I want to
I would never
Pick this pain apart
Do you want to
I am for the kiss king
Did I come up for sky
(kiss king touch me kiss king high high high)
I am for the kiss king
Did I come up for sky
Like a rush that never fades
High
(high high high)
(kiss king)
I am for the kiss king
I am for the kiss king
I am for the kiss king
I am for the kiss king
(high high high)
(high high high)
(high high high)
I wish that I could play with
The river ashes showed me
I wish that I could play with
The river ashes showed me
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Martin Clive Atkins / Marydee Reynolds / Robert Ashley Catlin
Kiss King (High High High) lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
@johna9400
gives me a tangible rush every time I hear this
@shellsnott
Awesome song from and awesome 'band'
@ennbee2051
Why 'band'. No, you're right they is a band. A superband if you would. Would you?
@mylabot
I suggest headphones for the best eargasm ever.
@entcmbed
this song is a total trip
@ainlonnroth1920
I once cranked it up on a school party with 1kw of sound. It pretty much bombed!
@boycott_google
Bombed means exploded in the way you used it and 1kw of sound is a very stupid analogy. Look i get that english is your second lingua. It is mine as well. Bit dont go full dummy with it. Was it 1kw of electricity? How was it partioned and used?
@anonanons163
Song would be awesome if the music wasn't choppy as hell
Saw these guys in Portland once at the LaLuna , great show (before Portland fell) 🤣
@DJJezzebella
Choppy? You mean that fluttering sound? The noise gate that you hear on the track? It's a vibrato effect that's actually on an old mixer that they're running the sitar and everything through. I'm talking like a DJ mixer that has a vibrato setting that you literally flip the switch up to engage and flip it down to kill it. I'm not sure how you decide the channel that it runs through and effects it but I love it! You don't like it, ehh?