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.
Isla de Encanta
Pixies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hay aviones cada hora,
Isla del encanto,
Me voy! (x3)
Donde no hay sufrimiento (x2),
Me vieron pasar por la calle,
Me voy! (x3)
Nuestro propio animal canta a la gente pa'gratis ,
Hey babe what are we doing here? .
Laaaaa,loooh,patria.
Isla del encanto,
Me voy! (x3)
Translation
Little sister come with me,
There are planes each hour,
Island of the enchantment,
I'm leaving!
Where there is no suffering,
They saw me pass by the street,
Island of the enchantment,
I'm leaving!
Our own animal sings for free for the people,
Hey babe what are we doing here?
Laaa loooh,fatherland.
Island of the enchantment,
I'm leaving!
The lyrics of the Pixies' song "Isla de Encanta" are a reflection of the band's fascination with Puerto Rico. The song is about leaving behind a world of suffering and flying to the beautiful island of Puerto Rico, where the singer believes there is no suffering. The repeated line, "Isla del encanto, me voy!" means "Island of Enchantment, I'm leaving!", showing the strong desire to escape and find peace in a new place.
The line "Our own animal sings for free for the people" is likely a reference to the coquis, small tree frogs that are native to Puerto Rico and are known for their unique and captivating singing. The singer is drawn to the beauty and natural wonders of Puerto Rico, and expresses a desire to be part of it.
The song also includes the line "Hey babe what are we doing here?", suggesting the feelings of restlessness and discontent that inspire the desire to escape to a new place. The repetition of the phrase "I'm leaving" emphasizes the urgency of this desire for a new beginning.
Overall, "Isla de Encanta" is a powerful reflection of the Pixies' fascination with Puerto Rico and their own search for meaning and fulfillment.
Line by Line Meaning
Little sister come with me
Asking a younger sibling to accompany them
There are planes each hour
Highlighting the ease of transportation to a desired location
Island of the enchantment, I'm leaving!
Expressing a desire to leave to a place known for its beauty and allure
Where there is no suffering
Referencing a location where there is no pain, anguish or sorrow
They saw me pass by the street
Noting that they have recently been in the public eye
Our own animal sings for free for the people
Referring to a creature that is unique to this island and attracts tourists without needing to be forced to perform.
Hey babe what are we doing here?
Asking a companion what the reason for their visit is, implying that they are not fulfilled by just aimlessly wandering around.
Laaa loooh,fatherland.
Singing patriotic tune with no discernible meaning.
Island of the enchantment, I'm leaving!
Ending the song by declaring their intention to depart from the beautiful escape they have been singing about.
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