Although quite popular on alternative rock radio in the United States due to heavy airplay of the singles "Monkey Gone to Heaven" and "Here Comes Your Man", they were never widely popular there, but found success in Europe, especially in the UK (where they managed three top 40 singles "Velouria", "Planet of Sound" and a re-release of "Debaser") and Belgium and the Netherlands, where they were heavily broadcasted by alternative public radio.
The band's style of alternative rock music is heavily influenced by punk and surf rock, and while highly melodic, is capable of being tremendously abrasive at the same time. Francis is the Pixies' primary songwriter and singer and has a distinctly desperate, yowling delivery. He has typically written cryptic songs about offbeat subjects, such as UFOs and surrealism. References to mental instability, violent Biblical imagery, and physical injury feature in many of the band's songs.
The group is frequently posited as the immediate forebear of the alternative rock boom of the 1990s, though they disbanded before reaping any of the benefits this might have brought them. Avowed fan Kurt Cobain's acknowledgement of the debt Nirvana owed to the Pixies, along with similar tributes by other alternative bands, ensured that the Pixies' legacy and influence grew substantially in the years following their demise.
In 1993, during an interview with BBC Radio 5, Black Francis announced that the band had split - something he had not told his bandmates. After the interview, he called Santiago, who in turn faxed Deal and Lovering the news the next morning. After the split, Black Francis inverted his stage name to Frank Black and embarked on a successful solo career, while Deal resumed her role in The Breeders with her identical twin sister Kelley. In 2004, the band reunited for a tour - documented in the film loudQUIETloud - and released a new single, "Bam Thwok" that summer. In 2007, Black Francis (now going by that name again) stated in an interview that the reunion was "done" even though the members remain in good terms with each other. In later interviews however, he began to mention that he might be willing to record another Pixies album. Nonetheless, Francis has returned to his solo career and Deal to the Breeders, both of which released albums and toured in 2008. Lovering and Santiago, meanwhile, set up their own project, a band called Everybody.
In order to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the release of Doolittle, Pixies launched a tour in October 2009, on which they perform all the album's songs and B-sides. In the autumn of 2011 the "Lost Cities" tour continued the "Doolittle Tour" as they played many venues for the first time.
Alec Eiffel
Pixies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Little Eiffel, Little Eiffel)
They thought he was real smart Alec
(Little Eiffel, Little Eiffel)
He thought big they called it a phallic
(Little Eiffel, Little Eiffel)
They didn't know he was panoramic
(Little Eiffel, Little Eiffel)
Keeping low doesn't make no sense
Sometimes people can be oh so dense
They didn't want it but he built it anyway
(Little Eiffel, Little Eiffel)
Little Eiffel stands in the archway
(Little Eiffel, Little Eiffel)
Keeping low don't make sense
Keeping low doesn't make no-sense
(Little Eiffel, Little Eiffel)
Little Eiffel stands in the archway
Oh Alexander I see you beneath
The archway of aerodynamics
...
The lyrics to Pixies' "Alec Eiffel" talk about the pioneering French engineer Gustave Eiffel, who is best known for designing the Eiffel Tower. The opening lines of the song describe Eiffel as the "pioneer of aerodynamics", highlighting his work in developing bridges and viaducts that could withstand high winds. The song then goes on to mention how many people thought Eiffel was a "real smart Alec" and how he had a tendency to think big. While most people thought his designs were phallic in shape, they didn't realize that Eiffel was looking at the panoramic view from the top.
The refrain of "Little Eiffel stands in the archway, keeping low doesn't make no sense" talks about the Eiffel Tower as a symbol of how thinking big and standing tall is important. People who try to keep low and play it safe might not make as much of an impact as those who are willing to take risks and put themselves out there. The final line of "Oh Alexander I see you beneath the archway of aerodynamics" is a nod to Eiffel's first name, as well as a recognition of his legacy as an engineer and inventor.
Overall, the lyrics of "Alec Eiffel" celebrate the spirit of innovation and daring, which are qualities that Gustave Eiffel embodied throughout his life. The song encourages listeners to be like Eiffel and think big, even if some people may not understand their ideas at first.
Line by Line Meaning
Pioneer of aerodynamics
He was a pioneer in the field of aerodynamics
(Little Eiffel, Little Eiffel)
They thought he was real smart Alec
They nicknamed him Little Eiffel and thought he was a know-it-all
(Little Eiffel, Little Eiffel)
He thought big they called it a phallic
He had grand plans but they mocked him for it, calling it obscene
(Little Eiffel, Little Eiffel)
They didn't know he was panoramic
They didn't understand the full scope of his vision
Little Eiffel stands in the archway
(Little Eiffel, Little Eiffel)
Keeping low doesn't make no sense
Little Eiffel is standing tall and proud, not hiding his ambitions
Sometimes people can be oh so dense
People can be ignorant or slow to understand
They didn't want it but he built it anyway
(Little Eiffel, Little Eiffel)
Despite their opposition, he followed through with his plans
Little Eiffel stands in the archway
(Little Eiffel, Little Eiffel)
Keeping low don't make sense
Keeping low doesn't make no-sense
(Little Eiffel, Little Eiffel)
Little Eiffel stands in the archway
Little Eiffel continues to stand tall and proud, ignoring those who want him to keep quiet
Oh Alexander I see you beneath
The archway of aerodynamics
Addressing Alexander Eiffel directly, acknowledging his legacy in aerodynamics
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CHARLES THOMPSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@nickcommito8079
Pioneer of aerodynamics
(Little Eiffel, Little Eiffel)
They thought he was real smart Alec
(Little Eiffel, Little Eiffel)
He thought big they called it a phallic
(Little Eiffel, Little Eiffel)
They didn't know he was panoramic
Little Eiffel stands in the archway
(Little Eiffel, Little Eiffel)
Keeping low doesn't make no sense
Sometimes people can be oh so dense
They didn't want it but he built it anyway
(Little Eiffel, Little Eiffel)
Little Eiffel stands in the archway
(Little Eiffel, Little Eiffel)
Keeping low don't make sense
Keeping low doesn't make no-sense
(Little Eiffel, Little Eiffel)
Little Eiffel stands in the archway
Oh Alexander I see you beneath
The archway of aerodynamics
@oldmanchainsaw3540
Almost half the song is outro and it’s fucking superb.....
@nathanwilliams3483
yessssssssssss love it too
@Leo-qe3gl
Love the outro😍
@rodgercampo5332
Just like No. 13 Baby!
@rexmundi3108
Very few bands are actually tested in wind tunnels.
@markfernee3842
Lmao
@mothereaters
Very KEN M
@ThomasDrish
Fewer have survived them.
@demitasse22
67 likes? This is it
@virginiawoolffan
Yes, and they passed.