It was Fahey's first musical project since leaving Bananarama. Later in 1989, backing vocalist Marcella Detroit was featured more as London Records presented the band as a duo. The name is taken from the title of the song "Shakespeare's Sister" by The Smiths, which in turn refers to a section of Virginia Woolf's feminist essay A Room of One's Own, in which Woolf argues that if William Shakespeare had a sister of equal genius, as a woman she would not have had the opportunity to make use of it.
The band's name lost the final "e" when a friend making a woodcut logo for Fahey misspelt the most common modern, but not only, spelling of Shakespeare. The cover of the first album, Sacred Heart, clearly includes an apostrophe (i.e. Shakespear's Sister), though this later went missing on some covers, and is no longer being used at all by Fahey on her website or her new album under the name Shakespears Sister.
Fahey - Detroit era
Originally conceived as a Fahey solo project, Shakespear's Sister first release was the double A-sided single "Break My Heart (You Really)"/"Heroine" in October 1988, which failed to chart.
In 1989, with Shakespear's Sister now presented as a duo of Fahey with Marcella Detroit, the next single, "You're History", became a top ten hit in the UK. The debut album, Sacred Heart, also went top ten, though further singles taken from the album were less successful.
Taking some time off due to both members' pregnancies, Shakespears Sister returned in late 1991 with the release of the single "Goodbye Cruel World", which peaked at number 59 in the UK Singles Chart. However, in early 1992, the duo released what would become their biggest hit single, "Stay". The single reached number one in the UK for eight weeks. It was also number one in Ireland, and became their biggest US hit, reaching number four on the Billboard Hot 100.
The success of the single was enhanced by a campy, futuristic accompanying music video. Their second album, Hormonally Yours, was critically acclaimed and peaked at number three in the UK Albums Chart.
After a year-long worldwide tour throughout 1992, Fahey cancelled further European touring due to physical and emotional exhaustion and subsequently admitted herself into a psychiatric unit with severe depression.
Following this, Shakespears Sister were nominated for several BRIT Awards, including best group, best album, best video, best single and best female artist (for Fahey). However, out of these they only won Best Video for "Stay", which was voted for by the British public.
At the 1993 Ivor Novello Awards, Fahey announced the split with Marcella Detroit. Allegedly, the pair have not spoken since.
Fahey alone
Shakespears Sister carried on as Fahey by herself, and in 1994 she recorded "Prehistoric Daze" for the soundtrack to the film The Flintstones, as well as "Waiting" for the Sadie Frost/Jude Law film Shopping.
In 1996, Fahey resurfaced again as Shakespears Sister with the single "I Can Drive", a single picked by the record company from her forthcoming third album instead of Fahey's choice of "Do I Scare You". After the single peaked at no.30, London Records refused to release the full album. Fahey later parted company with the label, leaving the album unreleased. This year also marked Fahey's divorce from Dave Stewart, whom she married in 1987.
In 2003, Fahey regained the master tapes for the unreleased album #3, which had been recorded in 1995-1996. The album was finally given an independent release in 2004 on Fahey's own record label, SF Records.
A greatest hits CD/DVD retrospective (The Best of Shakespears Sister) was also released in late 2004, containing all of the group's singles and music videos, as well as tracks intended for the #3 album. An additional compilation album, Long Live the Queens!, featuring a tracklisting of remixes and b-sides, was released in late 2005.
(see also Marcella Detroit, who had a modest singles career prior Split)
Moonchild
Shakespeare's Sister Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
but on this planet where do i fit in?
i could be in trouble or just imagining
sometimes i feel like an alien
i make them laugh i make them stare
but mr. jones said "hey young girl
don't feel sorry for yourself
the world's out there"
and everyone's waiting to see what you're gonna do
and if you come down to earth we'll fall in love with you
the papers all want to know exactly who you are
coz everyone wants to love you, moonchild
there's a moonchild in everyone, oh little moonchild
you're not the only one!
i looked at the world from another star
that's when i discovered who you really are
and now i'm hungry for the taste
and life is just too good to waste
so take off into outer space
i'll see you there!
there's a moonchild in everyone, oh little moonchild
you're not the only one!
In "Moonchild" by Shakespeare's Sister, the singer contemplates her place in the world, feeling like an outsider and questioning where she fits in. She compares herself to birds and fish, who have an established role on the planet, while she feels like an alien. Despite this, she has caught the attention of those around her, and Mr. Jones encourages her to explore the world and see everything that's out there. The chorus acts as a message of hope, as the singer is reminded that there is a moonchild in everyone, and that she is not alone in feeling different. The singer then claims that she has seen the world from another star, allowing her to understand the true nature of those around her, and that she is ready to take on new adventures.
The song is a commentary on the feeling of being an outsider and not fitting in with those around you. The lyrics suggest that the singer is struggling with identity and finding their place in the world, which is a common experience among young people. The contrast between birds and fish, who have clear roles to play on the planet, and the singer, who feels alienated, highlights this feeling of disconnection.
The song also has a message of hope, with the repeated refrain that there is a moonchild in everyone. This suggests that while we may feel like we don't belong or are different, we are all connected by our shared humanity, and that we should embrace our differences rather than trying to conform. The final lines of the song suggest that the singer is ready to explore new frontiers and that she is not afraid to take risks, which is an empowering message for anyone who has ever felt like an outsider.
Line by Line Meaning
birds can fly and fish can swim
Nature has bestowed certain unique abilities upon different creatures.
but on this planet where do i fit in?
The singer is uncertain about what her place in the world is.
i could be in trouble or just imagining
She is not sure if she is in real trouble or just imagining things.
sometimes i feel like an alien
The singer feels like she is different from others and doesn’t belong here.
i make them laugh i make them stare
She gets noticed by others, and they have mixed reactions towards her.
but mr. jones said "hey young girl don't feel sorry for yourself the world's out there"
Mr. Jones advises the singer to not feel sorry for herself and to go out and explore the world.
and everyone's waiting to see what you're gonna do
Everyone is curious about what the singer will do next.
and if you come down to earth we'll fall in love with you
People are attracted to her, and if she gives them a chance, they will fall in love with her.
the papers all want to know exactly who you are
The media is interested in knowing more about her and her identity.
coz everyone wants to love you, moonchild
People want to love and be loved by the singer.
there's a moonchild in everyone, oh little moonchild
The singer believes that everyone has a unique, special side to themselves, just like the moonchild.
you're not the only one!
The singer encourages the listener that they are not alone in feeling different.
i looked at the world from another star
The singer gained a different perspective on the world from a distance.
that's when i discovered who you really are
She discovered the true identity and value of herself and others.
and now i'm hungry for the taste
She is excited and eager to experience life to the fullest.
and life is just too good to waste
Life is precious, and she doesn’t want to waste it.
so take off into outer space
She is ready to explore new possibilities and go on an adventure.
i'll see you there!
She invites others to come along with her and share in her journey.
Contributed by Chase A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@evechandler3388
Had this one tape when I was a kid, I’d listen to it on my Walkman and fast forward to this song. I’m 42 now and still love it just as much ❤
@Dani022
Beautiful song for this beautiful night with a full moon!!
@stephenharber5694
Fields of the Nephilim: “Moonchild, lure me down! 🎶”
Shakespeare’s Sister: “Hold my wine cooler…”
@josecarlosrodriguezgallard3372
HIM!!
@josecarlosrodriguezgallard3372
Prince!!
@TheMercury-13
Always liked the lyrics, especially someone so cool saying 'Sometimes I feel like an alien', way way before I'd even heard of Asperger's. Now it makes more sense :)
@WhitMcMo
Wow. I have only recently been diagnosed in my 40s. And this song spoke to me way back then. It was such a comfort. I hope my kids have songs like this.
@yosieposiejones6590
Lovely lyrics.
@chipmunkmommy
Great great song!!!
@add19455
amazing