"Playground Twist" has a 3/4 time signature which is unusual for rock and roll music. The pacing of the song gives a childlike (i.e. "playground") feel (along with references to childhood nursery rhymes), although the lyrics provide a much more sinister picture. The single became Siouxsie & the Banshees' third top forty hit, peaking at number twenty-eight in the UK singles chart.
Playground Twist
Siouxsie and the Banshees Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hanging from your daisy chains
Swinging in the trees
Running from your enemies
And falling on your knees
On your knees
Get down on your knees
You three blind mice
Did you ever see
Such a thing in your life
You swallow the trail
But still arrive
Inside your entrails
Hanging...
Hanging out at party games
Dancing in the shadows
Up and down on the see-saw
Balancing the scales
You're drunk
Yet you're balancing the scales
Someone to blame
Someone to shame
Someone who you can claim
Go back to pass the parcel
And follow the leader
Hanging...
Hanging from your climbing frames
Swinging in the gallows
Laughing with your buddies
But you can drown when you're shallow
You can drown...
The lyrics of Siouxsie and the Banshees' song, Playground Twist, delve into the all too familiar experiences of childhood and the complex emotions and interactions that occur during playtime. The first verse describes children playing and swinging from daisy chains, running from imaginary foes and falling on their knees, hinting at the inevitable cuts and scrapes children experience during play. The next line, urging the listener to get down on their knees, may be interpreted as a reference to praying or surrendering to the childlike innocence and joy of playtime.
The second verse introduces a theme of competition and chance, with the imagery of throwing dice and the reference to the nursery rhyme "Three Blind Mice". The line "You swallow the trail but still arrive inside your entrails" suggests that despite the odds and the twists and turns of life, one can end up where they are meant to be. The third verse touches on the sometimes cruel nature of children's games, with the mention of someone to blame, shame and claim, ending with the familiar activities of pass the parcel and follow the leader.
The final verse takes a darker turn, describing children hanging from climbing frames and gallows, laughing with their friends while being unaware of the danger of their actions, much like the shallow depths of a pool where one can drown easily. This can be seen as a metaphor for the dangers and challenges of growing up, the risks and unknowns that lie ahead.
Line by Line Meaning
Hanging...
Playing and having fun as a child
Hanging from your daisy chains
Swinging from ropes made of flowers
Swinging in the trees
Moving back and forth on tree branches
Running from your enemies
Escaping from those who mean harm
And falling on your knees
Failing and dropping to the ground
On your knees
Being in a position of submission
Get down on your knees
Commanding someone to submit
Throw the dice
Taking a chance
You three blind mice
A reference to the nursery rhyme characters who couldn't see
Did you ever see
Have you ever witnessed
Such a thing in your life
Something so unusual that it's hard to believe
You swallow the trail
Following a path blindly
But still arrive
Ending up at the destination
Inside your entrails
Deep within your body
Hanging...
Playing as a teenager
Hanging out at party games
Being at social gatherings and engaging in games
Dancing in the shadows
Moving in low light
Up and down on the see-saw
Going back and forth emotionally or in conversation
Balancing the scales
Trying to keep things even
You're drunk
Intoxicated
Yet you're balancing the scales
Still trying to keep things even despite being under the influence
Someone to blame
Looking for a scapegoat
Someone to shame
Wanting to publicly humiliate someone
Someone who you can claim
Pointing fingers to avoid taking responsibility
Go back to pass the parcel
Reliving childhood games
And follow the leader
Copying others
Hanging...
Playing as an adult
Hanging from your climbing frames
Scaling structures made for climbing
Swinging in the gallows
Metaphorically playing Russian roulette with your life
Laughing with your buddies
Having a good time with friends
But you can drown when you're shallow
Despite appearances, one can still find themselves in trouble if they don't have depth
You can drown...
Implying there's more to the situation than meets the eye
Lyrics Β© DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY, BMG Rights Management
Written by: JOHN GARETH MCKAY, MORRIS KENNETH IAN, SIOUXSIE SIOUX, STEVEN SEVERIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Katty Lopy
Hanging
Hanging
Hanging
Hanging from your daisy chains
Swinging in the trees
Running from your enemies
And falling on your knees
And falling on your knees
On your knees
On your knees
Get down on your knees
Throw the dice
You three blind mice
Did you ever see
Such a thing in your life
You swallow the trail
But still arrive
Inside your entrails
Hanging
Hanging
Hanging
Hanging out at party games
Dancing in the shadows
Up and down on the see-saw
Balancing the scales
Balancing the scales
You're drunk
You're drunk
Yet you're balancing the scales
Someone to blame
Someone to shame
Someone not you can claim
Go back to pass the parcel
And follow the leader
Hanging
Hanging
Hanging
Hanging from your climbing frames
Swinging in the gallows
Laughing with your buddies
But you can drown when you're shallow
You can drown when you're shallow
You can drown
Drown
Drown
Drown
Drown
Drown
Drown
Drown
Drown
1979 wasn't is .my memory isnt that good these day.. All i no is I think she amazing. Brilliant Artist and followed for 40 years. . But never been to one of her concerts . Truly has a beautiful voice.
Martin 5559
Hanging...
Hanging from your daisy chains
Swinging in the trees
Running from your enemies
And falling on your knees
On your knees
Get down on your knees
Throw the dice
You three blind mice
Did you ever see
Such a thing in your life
You swallow the trail
But still arrive
Inside your entrails
Hanging...
Hanging out at party games
Dancing in the shadows
Up and down on the see-saw
Balancing the scales
You're drunk
Yet you're balancing the scales
Someone to blame
Someone to shame
Someone who you can claim
Go back to pass the parcel
And follow the leader
Hanging...
Hanging from your climbing frames
Swinging in the gallows
Laughing with your buddies
But you can drown when you're shallow
You can drown...
Sun Shine
Siouxie's music is unique,it stands the test of time,looking back to when this came out a packet of Polo's were 3p approx,simpler times too,listen to this and it's like being in a familiar place,happy times are but a song track away, Big thanks to the Siouxie Channel,wishing yourself,family,friends,pets and fellow fans a Super weekend.
death or mau mau
Happy 5783
Tainted Life
I love anything off of Once Upon a Time!!! Mirage is my favorite!
Katty Lopy
Hanging
Hanging
Hanging
Hanging from your daisy chains
Swinging in the trees
Running from your enemies
And falling on your knees
And falling on your knees
On your knees
On your knees
Get down on your knees
Throw the dice
You three blind mice
Did you ever see
Such a thing in your life
You swallow the trail
But still arrive
Inside your entrails
Hanging
Hanging
Hanging
Hanging out at party games
Dancing in the shadows
Up and down on the see-saw
Balancing the scales
Balancing the scales
You're drunk
You're drunk
Yet you're balancing the scales
Someone to blame
Someone to shame
Someone not you can claim
Go back to pass the parcel
And follow the leader
Hanging
Hanging
Hanging
Hanging from your climbing frames
Swinging in the gallows
Laughing with your buddies
But you can drown when you're shallow
You can drown when you're shallow
You can drown
Drown
Drown
Drown
Drown
Drown
Drown
Drown
Drown
1979 wasn't is .my memory isnt that good these day.. All i no is I think she amazing. Brilliant Artist and followed for 40 years. . But never been to one of her concerts . Truly has a beautiful voice.
death or mau mau
I would if she toured now - I'd pay whatever. The good acts don't come through Chicago anymore though. Like I saw one of the 13th floor elevators last concerts here in a dive bar in the middle of nowhere, I could walk up and touch Roky.
Aurora
π€π
Nicki Di Mambro
So sorry you've never seen her live. My first f
Gig was her in 81 at the capitol in Aberdeen. Saw her again there in 85, when she performed with a broken leg! Saw her for the last time around early 2000's at Barrowlands in Glasgow. Would LOVE to see her again. If she tours I highly recommend you go if you possibly can. She is an absolute legend and never disappoints. Glad she was my first ever gig when I was only 12!
woodyamsterdam
I had the pleasure to see them 4 times. The first time was with the original lineup with Morris on drums and McKay on guitar. Next year, two evenings in a row during the Juju-Tour, with Budgie on drums and and McGeoch on guitar. This lineup was the best IMO.
2 years later I saw them again, now with Robert Smith (The Cure) filling in on guitar after McGeoch was fired, which was a bit disappointing to be honest.
Oathbound
β@death or mau mau she is playing cruel world fest in Los Angeles May 20. Flying from CT for it.
Primitive In The Extreme
Marvellous song, from a timeless album β¨