Their first single "Hong Kong Garden" reached the top ten in the UK in the summer of 1978. Their debut full-length The Scream (1978) is today considered as a classic. NME wrote in its review, "The band sounds like, some unique hybrid of the Velvet Underground mated with much of the ingenuity of Tago Mago-era Can, if any parallel can be drawn... certainly, the traditional three-piece sound has never been used in a more unorthodox fashion with such stunning results." Indeed, "Switch" placed Siouxsie and the Banshees as pioneers of the post-punk movement.
Their sophomore Join Hands (1979), perhaps their darkest record, followed up. Guitarist McKay and drummer Morris had left the band shortly after its release. This change allowed Siouxsie the Banshees to play different music. They recruited drummer Budgie and the gifted John McGeoch, formerly of Magazine, who would play guitars on the three following records. McGeoch's work with Siouxsie the Banshees would later be praised by the likes of Radiohead and the Smiths.
Their third record Kaleidoscope (1980) released. Including tracks "Happy House" and "Christine", showed a brand new musical departure with liquid guitars and atmospheric synthesizers. This eclectic record was a success and it reached the top five in the national UK charts. One year later, fourth full-length Juju (1981), with the vibrant "Spellbound", was yet another success for the band.
The last session McGeoch recorded with Siouxsie and the Banshees was for the "Slowdive" single off the classic A Kiss in the Dreamhouse (1982). The British press greeted this fifth release enthusiastically. NME wrote on its review, "I promise. This music will take your breath away." McGeoch, worn out by the recording process of these songs, was hospitalized on his return from a promotional trip to Madrid, Spain. At the same era, Siouxsie and drummer Budgie formed the Creatures to record music more based on percussion.
In late 1982, McGeoch was replaced by famed Robert Smith, from the Cure. Smith became a full-time member between the years 1982 and 1984. He contributed to the classic live album, and later would be DVD, Nocturne (1983) and to the sixth studio album Hyaena (1984) as co-composer.
Guitarist John Valentine Carruthers, from band Clock DVA, replaced Smith in May, 1984. He played on the successful seventh full-length Tinderbox (1986), which included the first hit single of the band in the US, "Cities in Dust". The following covers album Through the Looking Glass (1987) with "This Wheel's on Fire", allowed the band to broaden up their sound.
Following a lengthy break, the rest of the band recruited another, new guitarist Jon Klein, from Specimen and the multi-instrumentalist Martin McCarrick to record ninth studio Peepshow (1988). The hit single "Peek-a-Boo" was considered as avant-garde for its abrasive sounds.
After the most impressive tour of their career, Siouxsie and the Banshees stopped for a while and then the Creatures reappeared with critically acclaimed sophomore Boomerang (1989). One of the most languorous songs from this record, "Killing Time", was covered live by Jeff Buckley a few years later.
In May 13th, 1991 Siouxsie the Banshees returned with the single "Kiss Them for Me", mixing the Beatles strings over a dance rhythm. This track peaked in the US singles charts at number 23, allowing them to reach a new audience. Melody Maker praised the last two studio albums by the band, Superstition (1991) and The Rapture (1995). The latter, partially produced by John Cale, included the swansong "Forever".
Morrissey later recorded a duet with Siouxsie titled "Interlude". This one, off-single was published under the banner of the two artists' names. After 20 years together, Siouxsie and the Banshees split in April, 1996. Siouxsie and Budgie thet announced that they would carry on recording as the Creatures. They released their third studio Anima Animus (1999) to critical acclaim.
The box set Downside Up (2004) was released, compiling 51 unreleased B-sides and the highly praised out-of-print The Thorn EP. Most of these numbers like, "Something Wicked (This Way Comes)" and "Red over White", are considered by fans as 'classics.' After carrying on recording as the Creatures, Siouxsie released her debut solo Mantaray (2007). The record was hailed by both Pitchfork and Mojo.
Influence on Other Artists
Siouxsie and the Banshees have influenced musicians worldwide across many genres.
The band had a strong impact on Trip Hop acts such as:
* Tricky covered "Tattoo" to open his second solo album Nearly God. Here's his version: Tattoo. The original version of "Tattoo" was recorded in 1983 and is available on the Banshees Downside Up box set.
* Massive Attack covered and sampled the music of Metal Postcard on their song "Superpredators (Metal Postcard)" for the movie soundtrack The Jackal.
Siouxsie and the Banshees also inspired the following artists :
* LCD Soundsystem covered "Slowdive" for the cd-single "Disco Infiltrator". Here's the original Slowdive and the LCD Soundsystem version Slowdive (XFM session)
* Jeff Buckley covered live a Siouxsie / The Creatures song called 'Killing Time' originally composed in 1989 on the album Boomerang. Here's the original Killing Time.
* Morrissey stated this in 'GQ' in 1994 : "None of them are as good as Siouxsie and the Banshees at full pelt. That's not dusty nostalgia, that's fact."
* The Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr from The Smiths stated on the BBC radio 2 in february'2008 that he rated very high McGeoch for his work on Spellbound.
* Garbage singer Shirley Manson wrote in the foreword of the official Siouxsie and the Banshees biography in 2003 by Mojo magazine journalist Mark Paytress : "I learned how to sing listening to The Scream and Kaleidoscope."
* Radiohead bassist Colin Greenwood claims that while recording their song "There There", producer Nigel Godrich tried to get guitarist Jonny Greenwood to sound like the Banshees' John McGeoch.
* PJ Harvey selected in her top ten favourite albums of year 1999 : Anima Animus by The Creatures. aka Siouxsie.
*Jane's Addiction guitarist Dave Navarro also makes a parallel between his band and the Banshees in Siouxsie's official biography: "There are so many similar threads : melody, use of sound, attitude, sex-appeal. I always saw Jane's Addiction as the masculine Siouxsie and the Banshees."
*The Beta Band sampled the bridge of Painted Bird on their track Liquid Bird from the Heroes to Zeros album.
*Red Hot Chili Peppers covered Christine live at the V2001 festival. In 2002, their guitarist John Frusciante stated in an article featured on Total Guitar Magazine about Banshees guitarist John McGeoch : "He’s just a great guitar player, full stop. I wanted to listen to these people who weren’t just about technique but more about textures. People like John McGeoch. People who used good chords." also declaring that John McGeoch was an influence for the sound on the Red Hot Chili Peppers album By The Way.
*The Mars Volta covered Pulled to Bits (Live At The Royal Albert Hall) for the 'Wax Simulacra' single.
*Arcade Fire singer Win Butler suggested to the band Devotchka to cover the 1988 Siouxsie song : The Last Beat Of My Heart. One can listen to the Devothcka version on their Curse Your Little Heart ep.
* The Cure leader Robert Smith declared in 2003 in Mark Paytress's Siouxsie biography : "Siouxsie and The Banshees and Wire were the two bands I really admired. They meant something." He also pinpointed what the Join Hands tour brought him musically. "On stage that first night with the Banshees, I was Blown away by how powerful I felt playing that kind of music. It was so different to what we were doing with The Cure. Before that, I'd wanted us to be like The Buzzcocks or Elvis Costello, the punk Beatles. Being a Banshee really changed my attitude to what I was doing." He also talked about the band to Steve Sutherland in 1985 to describe "The Head On the Door" : "It reminds me of the Kaleidoscope album, the idea of having lots of different sounding things, different colors."
*U2 selected Christine for a compilation made for Mojo and The Edge presented an award to Siouxsie at a Mojo ceremony in 2005.
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Split in 2002
Got To Get Up
Siouxsie and the Banshees Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Got to get up and live this life, got to get up and win this life
No more looking down, look up
Skyward up your eyes, devour the sun now
Got to, got to get up now, so get up
Gonna shake my bones gonna shed my skin
Shake out what's mine, shake out this thing
Shake out what's mine, shake out this thing
'Cause I've been here too long, now I'm up
Skyward up this song, devour the sun now
I've got to, got to get up now, oh, so get up
Bad luck you say, it's just not your day
But you've got to reach out, grab your destiny
Kick up the dust, kick up a storm
Kick out the past and take control
There's no-one else, it's up to you
Are you gonna wake up or cry boo hoo?
No one else but you can rise up
You know what to do, got to get up
No more looking down, look up
Come and claim your crown, got to get up, got to get up
The lyrics of the song "Got To Get Up" by Siouxsie and the Banshees exude a sense of determination and encouragement to live life to the fullest. The chorus is a rallying cry to awaken from a stagnant state of being and take action. The repetition of the phrase "got to get up" emphasizes the importance of pushing oneself to progress. The song exhorts the listener to cast off the past, shed the skin of the old self, and move forward with renewed vigour. The lines "kick out the past and take control" and "come and claim your crown" urge the listener to take charge of their destiny, be self-reliant, and go after their aspirations.
"Got To Get Up" is an anthem for anyone feeling stuck or disillusioned with their current situation. It inspires and motivates to make a positive change. The song's upbeat tempo and Siouxsie Sioux's powerful vocals make it a catchy and uplifting tune that is sure to lift anyone's mood.
- "Got To Get Up" was released in 1981 as part of Siouxsie and the Banshees' album "Juju".
- The song reached number 24 on the UK charts.
- "Got To Get Up" was covered by the band Ghost Dance in 1989.
- Siouxsie Sioux wrote the song's lyrics and music, while the rest of the band contributed to the arrangement.
- The song's music video depicts the band performing in a dark, apocalyptic setting with Siouxsie Sioux wearing a white dress and holding a flaming torch.
- Siouxsie and the Banshees were known for their influential music style, which combined elements of post-punk, new wave, and gothic rock.
- The band was formed in 1976 and disbanded in 1996, leaving a legacy of 11 studio albums.
- Siouxsie Sioux is regarded as one of the most influential women in rock music.
- "Got To Get Up" has been remixed and sampled by other artists, including DJ Shadow.
- The song features a guitar riff that is reminiscent of the Doors' "Five to One".
Chords: Unfortunately, the information on the chords for this song is not available.
Line by Line Meaning
Got to get up, get into life, got to get up, get into life
It's time to wake up and start living your life like you mean it. Don't waste any more time, get up and give it your all.
Got to get up and live this life, got to get up and win this life
Don't just go through the motions, really live your life and strive to succeed at everything you do.
No more looking down, look up
Stop dwelling on the negative and start focusing on the positive. Look up and embrace all the great things life has to offer.
Skyward up your eyes, devour the sun now
Look up at the sky, take in its beauty, and let it inspire and motivate you to do great things.
Got to, got to get up now, so get up
It's time to take action and get moving towards your goals. Don't procrastinate, get up and start working towards your dreams.
Gonna shake my bones gonna shed my skin
I'm going to make some major changes in my life, both physically and emotionally.
Shake out what's mine, shake out this thing
I'm going to rid myself of anything that's holding me back or causing me unhappiness, and focus on what I truly want in life.
Cause I've been here too long, now I'm up
I've been stagnant for far too long and it's time to make some changes and move forward with my life.
Skyward up this song, devour the sun now
I'm letting my music inspire me and motivate me to take action and start living my life to the fullest.
Bad luck you say, it's just not your day
Don't let bad luck or a bad day get you down. Keep pushing forward and take control of your life.
But you've got to reach out, grab your destiny
Don't just sit back and wait for things to happen, go out and create your own destiny.
Kick up the dust, kick up a storm
Make your presence known and start shaking things up. Create a stir and make a lasting impact on the world.
Kick out the past and take control
Let go of past mistakes and negative experiences and take control of your life moving forward. Don't let the past define you.
There's no-one else, it's up to you
Ultimately, you are responsible for your own success and happiness. Don't rely on others to make things happen for you.
Are you gonna wake up or cry boo hoo?
Are you going to take control of your life and make things happen, or are you going to sit back and complain about your circumstances?
Come and claim your crown, got to get up, got to get up
It's time to take your rightful place in the world and claim what's yours. Don't be afraid to take risks and pursue your dreams with passion and determination.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: BUDGIE, MARTIN JOHN MCCARRICK, SIOUXSIE SIOUX, STEVEN SEVERIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind