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.
Please Don't Go
Pixies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For you to go please don't go
'Cause I'm not ready
I take a puff and then I blow it out
And then it starts to decay
And so I'm hoping if I drag this on
I'll cause you some delay
Please don't go 'Cause I'm not ready
For you to go please don't go
'Cause I'm not ready for you to go
If you go hunting for the grizzly bear
Don't bring a heavy load
You will want nothing that
Will weigh you down
'Cause then your heart will explode
Please don't go 'Cause I'm not ready
For you to go please don't go
'Cause I'm not ready for you to go
Please don't go 'Cause I'm not ready
For you to go please don't go
'Cause I'm not ready for you to go
The lyrics to Pixies' song "Please Don't Go" express the singer's fear of loss and their reluctance to let someone go. The repeated plea, "Please don't go," reflects their emotional attachment to the person in question. The singer confesses that they are not prepared for the departure, emphasizing their vulnerability and unwillingness to face the pain of separation. The line "I take a puff and then I blow it out, and then it starts to decay" can be interpreted metaphorically to represent the temporary relief provided by distracting oneself or indulging in vices, but ultimately realizing that it only prolongs the inevitable and leads to deterioration.
The second verse introduces a metaphor of hunting a grizzly bear, cautioning against carrying unnecessary burdens. The heaviness and weight symbolize emotional baggage or responsibilities that could overwhelm and ultimately destroy the heart. Here, the lyrics suggest that letting go of unnecessary burdens is crucial to prevent self-destruction or heartbreak.
Overall, "Please Don't Go" captures the fear of loss, the desire for delay, and the struggle to confront emotions associated with separation. It reflects the universal longing to hold onto something dear and the inherent human resistance to change and the unknown.
Line by Line Meaning
Please don't go 'Cause I'm not ready
I'm not prepared for you to leave, so please stay
For you to go please don't go
I'm pleading with you not to leave
'Cause I'm not ready
I am not emotionally prepared for your departure
I take a puff and then I blow it out
I smoke a cigarette and exhale
And then it starts to decay
After exhaling, the smoke dissipates and loses its form
And so I'm hoping if I drag this on
I'm expecting that if I prolong this situation
I'll cause you some delay
I will buy myself more time before you leave
If you go hunting for the grizzly bear
If you embark on a dangerous journey
Don't bring a heavy load
Do not carry unnecessary burdens
You will want nothing that
You won't desire anything that
Will weigh you down
Will burden or hinder you
'Cause then your heart will explode
Because it may lead to emotional turmoil or distress
For you to go please don't go
I am begging you not to depart
'Cause I'm not ready for you to go
Because I am not mentally prepared for your absence
Please don't go 'Cause I'm not ready
Please stay as I am unprepared for your leaving
For you to go please don't go
I implore you not to depart
'Cause I'm not ready for you to go
Because I am not emotionally equipped for your absence
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Лап-тап-тибу-дубай!!!
Excellent as always. Simple words, simple melody, but to the core. Greetings from Kyrgyzstan, there are also your fans here.
Mike Rice
@flan-ran-t'noy: sorry bout that ; got sent prematurely. Yeah, I love most Black Francis solo works,& just found good buy on 'Blue Finger,& Seven Fingers' on vinyl,colored. It's way cool. Ya know there's 2 box sets,solo works- 'Frank Black& the Catholics,complete recordings,'& now, a brand new one,'7-11' a collection his music as Black Francis. Hopefully, we'll get the new one soon.
How's the weather in your area of Kazykstan? Peace,harmony out, M .
Mike Rice
@flan-ran-t'noy( best spelling we can do): Hey Pixies fan! You ever appreciated ,or heard much of front man, Frank Black Francis's
Mike Rice
Hello@Kyrgystan man- Good to hear that people there dig their music too! Take care, M v
Zora Boch
I was 14, I loved pixies. with 41 today I still do
MAD MAX
I'm 14 now and I started loving the pixies
I hope I keep loving them when I'm 41
Alessandra Macedo de Souza
I am 50 years old....i listen to this band since i was young, i must be crazy, but i love this band.
Alessandra Macedo de Souza
@Mike Rice Direct greetings from Brazil to you !!! You have an awesome taste too. Thank you !!! Hail Tennesse.
Mike Rice
@Alessandra- Good Day , there. No, you're not crazy. I 1st saw them live,circa 1991, in my college gymnasium,& most definitely still Love their musiks. And, am older than thee. You simply have xcellant taste in music! Do u know lead guy Black Francis just released 2nd box set, collection?? We're looking forward to it,we are. Happy Holidays from Tennessee,USA. M
cuenta hackeada
Los Pixies son rock en estado puro, son música sin poses, son potencia demoledora que no afloja con el tiempo de sus discos ni de los integrantes salvo por la salida de la bajista. Esta cancion es una prueba más que no hay que tocar notas complicadas para hacer un buen tema de rock. No es lo que toques sino como lo tocas papu. Keep on rocking