"Arabian Knights" is a mid-tempo Post-punk song that has been a concert favorite since its release. It's also known for its "I heard a rumour / It was just a rumour / What have you done to her" lyric. The single peaked at number thirty-two on the UK singles chart in 1981.
Arabian Knights
Siouxsie and the Banshees Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Looking into your eyes
Cool pools drown your mind
What else will you find
I heard a rumour - it was just a rumour
I heard a rumour - what have you done to her
Myriad lights - they said I'd be impressed
A tourist oasis - reflects in seedy sunshades
A monstrous oil tanker
Its wound bleeding in seas
I heard a rumour - what have you done to her
I heard a rumour - what have you done to her
Veiled behind screens
Kept as your baby machine
Whilst you conquer more orifices
Of boys, goats and things
Ripped out sheeps' eyes - no forks or knives
Myriad lights - they said I'd be impressed
Arabian Knights - at your primitive best
The lyrics of Arabian Knights by Siouxsie and the Banshees are quite enigmatic and open to interpretation. The song addresses the complexity of the cultural clash between Western tourists and the locals in an Arabian country. The first verse emphasizes the idea of the 'jewel' or the treasure, which might be interpreted as a metaphor for the attraction of the East for the Western visitors. However, the chilling line 'cool pools drown your mind' implies there is something dangerous or even sinister lurking in this attraction.
The chorus section repeats the line 'I heard a rumor - what have you done to her?' insinuating that the East has corrupted something or someone who was previously untainted. The lines 'myriad lights - they said I'd be impressed', and 'Arabian knights - at your primitive best' refer to the Westerner's idea of the 'exotic' East and the primitive and barbaric image of Arab culture in the Western imagination. The final lines are the most chilling, describing a scene of sexual brutality towards women, animals, and the mistreatment of animals.
Overall Arabian Knights through its lyrics subverts the Westerner's romanticized portrayal of the Orient and reminds of one aspect of the Middle East: the strict gender role and misogyny present in the culture.
Line by Line Meaning
The jewel, the prize
Referring to the subject of the song as the ultimate goal or reward
Looking into your eyes
The subject's gaze is intense and captivating
Cool pools drown your mind
Looking at the subject is overwhelming and enveloping
What else will you find
The subject's captivating nature compels one to seek more
I heard a rumour - it was just a rumour
There is a hearsay about something that may or may not be true
I heard a rumour - what have you done to her
The singer is questioning the validity of a rumor and its possible negative effects on someone
Myriad lights - they said I'd be impressed
A multitude of bright lights that should leave a lasting impression
Arabian Knights - at your primitive best
In the exotic and primitive setting of the Arabian nights, one is at their best (unknown and wild)
A tourist oasis - reflects in seedy sunshades
An attraction for tourists that is presented as an oasis but has a cheap, disreputable feel
A monstrous oil tanker
A huge vessel used for transportation and exploitation of oil
Its wound bleeding in seas
The effects of the oil industry has left the ocean scarred and damaged
Veiled behind screens
Women hidden behind screens, secluded for male-only entertainment
Kept as your baby machine
Women are kept solely for the purpose of giving birth to children
Whilst you conquer more orifices
Men are seen as superior and are allowed sexual contact with anyone and anything they please
Of boys, goats, and things
Examples of the depravity of the men
Ripped out sheeps' eyes - no forks or knives
A brutal act of violence performed without the use of civilized implements
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY, BMG Rights Management
Written by: CLARKE, SEVERIN, SIOUX, MC GEOCH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@borislavkostov6148
The jewel, the prize
Looking into your eyes
Cool pools drown your mind
What else will you find
I heard a rumour -- it was just a rumour
I heard a rumour -- what have you done to her
Myriad lights -- they said I'd be impressed
Arabian Knights -- at your primitive best
A tourist oasis -- reflects in seedy sunshades
A monstrous oil tanker
Its wound bleeding in seas
I heard a rumour -- what have you done to her
I heard a rumour -- what have you done to her
Veiled behind screens
Kept as your baby machine
Whilst you conquer more orifices
Of boys, goats and things
Ripped out sheeps' eyes -- no forks or knives
Myriad lights -- they said I'd be impressed
Arabian Knights -- at your primitive best
@tekcat013
The jewel, the prize
Looking into your eyes
Cool pool drown your mind
What else will you find
I heard a rumour - it was just a rumour
I heard a rumour - what have you done to her
Myriad lights - they said I'd be impressed
Arabian Knights - at your primitive best
A tourist oasis - reflects in seedy sunshades
A monstrous oil tanker
its wound bleeding in seas
I heard a rumour - what have you done to her
I heard a rumour - what have you done to her
Veiled behind screens
Kept as your baby machine
Whilst you conquer more orifices
Of boys, goats and things
Ripped out sheeps' eyes - no forks or knives
Myriad lights - they said I'd be impressed
Arabian Knights - at your primitive best
@harris0n35
I'm fourteen. I love this kind of music. now I know I'm not the only kid who likes good music like this.
@rachellarson8851
Dude, you should be around 23 now. Weird
@Shawnee.s1mp._.458
I'm currently 14 and love this kinda music lol :)))
@Abruzzo333
All I can tell you that the amount of lesser known but absolutely brilliant music that's there to be descovered from the 80's alone is virtually endless.
@HitheLineFighton
A true feminist song without borning or "preaching" as always, Siouxsie informs with poetry and images. Awesome, like Siouxsie snd the Banshees!
@deejaaywalker2314
This song rewards listeners as it peaks late at 2:11 with the instrumentation change. It is delicious up to that point but is all whipped cream and strawberries when it finally hits at that magical moment. Pure bliss!
@SiLverAnDwiNe
You mean at 1:40...
@deejaaywalker2314
@@SiLverAnDwiNe It's true that there are changes to this song at different points. The one I was referring to was, exactly as I said, at 2:11.
@goldenmolelover
@@SiLverAnDwiNe no, they meant the way it changes to darker instrumental and lyrics. the portion right before it, starting at 1:40, is meant to be feverishly happy and the switch again at 2:11 brings the listener back to the reality of the song.
@Shadowplaytime
John was one of the most creative guitarists of his time, still is and will ever be. R.I.P., we all owe you so much!