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.
Velouria
Pixies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Finally through the roof (finally through the roof)
Onto somewhere near and far in time
Velouria, her covering
Traveling career (traveling career)
She can really move, oh, Velveteen
My Velouria, my Velouria
Even I'll adore you, my Velouria
Say to me, where have you been?
Finally through the roof (finally through the roof)
And how does lemur skin reflect the sea?
We will wade in the shine of the ever
We will wade in the shine of the ever
We will wade in the tides of the summer, every summer
Every my Velouria, my Velouria
Forevergreen, I know she's here
In California (California)
I can see the tears of Shasta sheen
My Velouria, my Velouria (V-E-L-O-U-R-I-A)
Even I'll adore you, my Velouria (V-E-L-O-U-R-I-A)
Even I'll adore you, my Velouria (V-E-L-O-U-R-I-A
Even I'll adore you, my Velouria (V-E-L-O-U-R-I-A)
Even I'll adore you, my Velouria (V-E-L-O-U-R-I-A)
V-E-L-O-U-R-I-A
V-E-L-O-U-R-I-A
V-E-L-O-U-R-I-A
V-E-L-O-U-R-I-A
The lyrics to Pixies' song Velouria create a dream-like state of mind with its imagery and questioning of reality. The opening line "Hold my head, we'll trampoline" suggests a level of excitement and anticipation for something spectacular. This is reinforced with the lines "Finally through the roof onto somewhere near and far in time". The use of the word "finally" conveys a sense of relief as if a goal has been achieved. The reference to reaching "somewhere near and far in time" adds to the dream-like quality of the song, suggesting a journey that transcends time and space.
The song's title "Velouria" is repeated throughout the lyrics and creates an aura of mystery. It is said to be "her covering, traveling career" which can be interpreted as either a metaphor for something else or as a description for a person. The line "She can really move, oh, Velveteen" further adds to the mystery of the character.
The chorus is a declaration of love for Velouria, as the singer sings "Even I'll adore you, my Velouria". The repeated use of "my Velouria" implies a possessiveness or attachment to the character.
The second verse adds to the surreal quality of the song with the question "And how does lemur skin reflect the sea?" It's unclear what the connection between lemur skin and the sea is, but it adds to the overall sense of mystery and wonder. The lines "We will wade in the shine of the ever / We will wade in the tides of the summer, every summer" suggest a longing for a place or a state of mind that is beyond the physical world.
Overall, Velouria can be interpreted as a voyage of discovery that blurs the line between reality and imagination. The song's lyrics are full of symbolism and imagery that can be interpreted in different ways, making it a classic example of open-ended songwriting.
Line by Line Meaning
Hold my head, we'll trampoline
Let's bounce up and reach new heights together
Finally through the roof onto somewhere near and far in time
We'll break free of limitations and explore new experiences
Velouria, her covering, traveling career
Velouria represents someone on a journey, constantly moving and evolving
She can really move, oh, Velveteen
Velouria is strong and resilient, able to handle whatever comes her way
My Velouria, my Velouria
I hold Velouria dear to my heart
Even I'll adore you, my Velouria
My love for Velouria is unconditional
Say to me, where have you been?
Tell me about your journey and experiences
And how does lemur skin reflect the sea?
A random, surreal question that may represent the unexplainable beauty of nature
We will wade in the shine of the ever
We'll embrace the eternal brightness of life
We will wade in the tides of the summer, every summer
We'll enjoy the warmth and joy of life, every year
Forevergreen, I know she's here in California
Velouria represents something evergreen and enduring, possibly present in a specific place
I can see the tears of Shastasheen
A surreal image that may evoke a sense of nostalgia or longing
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Black Francis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@chicka-boom7540
[Verse 1]
Hold my head
We'll trampoline
Finally through the roof
On to somewhere near
And far in time
Velouria
Her covering
Traveling career
She can really move
Oh velveteen!
[Chorus][x2]
My Velouria, my Velouria
Even I'll adore you
My Velouria
[Verse 2]
Say to me
Where have you been
Finally through the roof
And how does lemur skin
Reflect the sea?
[Bridge]
We will wade in the shine of the ever
We will wade in the shine of the ever
We will wade in the tides of the summer
Every summer
Every summer
Every
My Velouria
My Velouria
[Verse 3]
Forever green
I know she's here
In California
I can see the tears
Of shastasheen
[Chorus][x5]
My Velouria, my Velouria
Even I'll adore you
My Velouria
@miriamsoler8293
Hold my head, we'll trampoline
Finally through the roof onto somewhere near and far in time
Velouria, her covering, traveling career
She can really move, oh, Velveteen
My Velouria, my Velouria
Even I'll adore you, my Velouria
Even I'll adore you, my Velouria
Say to me, where have you been?
Finally through the roof
And how does lemur skin reflect the sea?
We will wade in the shine of the ever
We will wade in the shine of the ever
We will wade in the tides of the summer, every summer
Every my Velouria, my Velouria
Forevergreen, I know she's here in California
I can see the tears of Shastasheen
My Velouria, my Velouria
Even I'll adore you, my Velouria
Even I'll adore you, my Velouria
Read more: Pixies - Velouria Lyrics | MetroLyrics
@MinaMongoose
A little backstory about this video:
When "Velouria" was released in 1990, it managed to hit the UK top 40 at #28.
Top of the pops wanted to let the band perform on the show.
But unfortunately, there was a rule stating that only songs with music videos can perform on the show.
The Pixies were not not allowed to perform on Top of the pop and thus, in response, made a low budget music video of them running down a quarry in 23 seconds (slowed down to fit the song in).
This video was made in vain as a protest of the BBC's performance rule.
@pyewackett5
Fuck the bbc
@rickgrayson4423
Thanks ! The BBC got Pixied !
@sheldonspock5566
hahaha this is priceless
@manuelbucciriedel7363
real artists
@scruffyp9480
And it became their best and one of the most unique videos ever.
@josephkyle1557
Me at 19: This video looks like fun!
Me at 49: Someone could break a hip doing that!
@goldenageofdinosaurs7192
🤣
@victorymansions
Haha, reading your comment is really on point for me. A little background: So I'm a pretty young guy, but a few days ago managed to break my hip cycling in ice back from work. I'm laid up in hospital and I start low level singing Pixies 'Broken Face' but replacing the 'face' lyric with 'hip'. Then I get home after surgery and randomly stick this album on. I'm listening to Cecilia Ann and realize I'm inadvertently tapping my foot on the bad side of my break. I nearly commented on that video to say 'yeah Pixies must be awesome if they can make you forget about a broken bone' or some shit. But then I get to this video, and think the exact same as you and see your comment. Strange how certain events seems to just line up in their own unique but interesting little ways haha 😄
@metallicmuse
Me at 39: It's a miracle no one skinned their knees! 🙃😉