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.
Havalina
Pixies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Walking in the breeze on the plains of Old Segona
(Arizona)
Among the trees
Havalina, Havalina, Havalina, Havalina
Havalina, Havalina, Havalina, Havalina
The Pixies' song Havalina, from their experimental album Bossanova, is a portrayal of a beautiful and peaceful stroll through the countryside, specifically in Old Segona in Arizona. The Havalina, a species of wild pig, features prominently in the lyrics of this song - this animal is depicted as roaming amongst trees, adding an element of natural beauty to the scene. The repeated use of the word "Havalina" adds to the surreal quality of the song and accentuates the dreamlike quality of the experience, the kind of blissful hypnotic state that one can find themselves in when out in nature. The use of the term "Old" in the line "Walking in the breeze on the plains of Old Segona" reinforces a sense of timelessness, that this experience is eternal and may have been enjoyed by generations.
Overall, the song evokes a sense of deep connection to nature, a connection that can be profound and soothing. The Havalina in the song may even represent an oasis of wildness and naturalness that remains constant, even as the world around us changes. The song seems to be an expression of the marvel we may experience when we appreciate the simple things in life, like a quiet walk in the countryside.
Line by Line Meaning
Havalina, Havalina, Havalina, Havalina
The repetition of 'Havalina' sets the tone and serves as a chant-like introduction to the song.
Walking in the breeze on the plains of Old Segona
The singer is describing the act of walking in the wind across the plains of Old Segona (a region in Arizona).
(Arizona)
This is a parenthetical reminder that the last line is taking place in a specific location.
Among the trees
Although the last line mentioned plains, this line indicates that there must be some trees nearby as the singer walks through the area.
Havalina, Havalina, Havalina, Havalina
The repetition of 'Havalina' serves as a chorus line and reinforces the song's tribal nature.
Havalina, Havalina, Havalina, Havalina
The chorus line repeats again for emphasis and continuity.
Havalina, Havalina, Havalina, Havalina
Once again, the chorus line repeats for additional emphasis and tribal energy.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CHARLES THOMPSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mike D
on Nimrod's Son
It’s “shock the people” not chocolate people