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.
Greens and Blues
Pixies Lyrics
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My bits all wander in the trees.
And if I ever seem a little strange,
Would you excuse me please?
I said I'm human, but you know I lie.
I'm only visiting this shore.
I'll soon be leaving in the outbound tide
I'm wasting your time, just talking to you
Maybe best you go on home.
I'll leave you alone, fade from your mind,
Slip into the greens and blues.
I said I'm human, but you know I lied.
I'm only visiting this shore.
I'll soon be leaving in the outbound tide.
I pray again we will meet.
I'm wasting your time, just talking to you
Maybe best you go on home.
I'll leave you alone, fade from your mind
Slip into the greens and blues.
Greens and blues
Greens and blues
Greens and blues
Greens and blues
I'm wasting your time, just talking to you,
Maybe best you go on home.
I'll leave you alone, fade from your mind,
Slip into the greens and blues.
I'm wasting your time, just talking to you,
Maybe best you go on home.
I'll leave you alone, fade from your mind,
Slip into the greens and blues.
Greens and blues
Pixies' "Greens and Blues" is a melancholic reflection of a person's impermanence on Earth. The lead vocalist references himself as not being "together" and his "bits" wandering among the trees, emphasizing his temporary presence on Earth. He also mentions that he is merely "visiting this shore" and will "soon be leaving in the outbound tide," creating an image of the transiency of human life. However, he hopes to meet again, suggesting that he believes in some form of an afterlife or reincarnation.
The lyrics further reveal his introspection about his futility in conversation, leaving him feeling like he's "wasting your time." He asks his conversation partner to go and leave him alone, and he will fade into the greens and blues. The last line could suggest the possibility of meeting in another life as he blends in with nature, symbolizing a form of rebirth. Overall, the song is a beautiful and thought-provoking message on the transitory nature of humankind and the desire to reunite in the afterlife.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm not together, and you know it's true.
I am scattered, and you are aware of it.
My bits all wander in the trees.
My thoughts are all over the place.
And if I ever seem a little strange,
Would you excuse me please?
If I act oddly, would you please forgive me?
I said I'm human, but you know I lie.
I'm only visiting this shore.
I'll soon be leaving in the outbound tide
I pray again we will meet.
I may claim to be human, but that's untrue. I'm just passing by. I'll leave soon, but I hope to see you again.
I'm wasting your time, just talking to you
Maybe best you go on home.
I'll leave you alone, fade from your mind,
Slip into the greens and blues.
I'm not worth your time. Maybe you should go. I'll vanish from your thoughts and blend into the natural surroundings.
Greens and blues
Greens and blues
Greens and blues
Greens and blues
The greens and blues of the natural world are calming and welcoming.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CHARLES THOMPSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
MDimasS.
This song is freaking brilliant. The melody, the lyrics feel like something out of a cousy Autumn rainy day, spent under the bed covers with ones lover - quite the best thing you can have. Pixies forever.
Carlos
👍
petite mort
I don't care what everyone else says, I like new Pixies too.
Tristan Reid
New pixies is just mellow pixies. It’s hard to replicate the zany energy of youth when you’ve seen it all. No Kim means no whispery sexy vocals, and no young black Francis means no crazy screamy guy. It sounds perpetually crestfallen. Like if you’re two best friends we’re dating for ten years and broke up and you are left with the messy after math.
fry mclizzi
@Tristan Reid k
swelteringmadness
Tristan Reid There's screaming in Blue Eyed Hexe.
Daniel Cepela
@Tristan Reid I suggest you to visit one of their shows in 2019, you will find proof against most of your statement.
John Harvey
Old Pixies and New Pixies both good.
G-Mads
I know that this song seems to be getting a lot of flack but I personally adore it. My most-listened song on the album, to be honest. It has a similar feeling to another favourite Pixies song of mine, 'Havalina'. I love that melancholy etherial quality that this sort of music has. It takes my brain to a different place and almost shuts it down for a minute. Idk, it hits me right in the feelings.
Scott Mon
PATHOS IS STARTING TO HURT!