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 : "Heβs just a great guitar player, full stop. I wanted to listen to these people who werenβt 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.
www.siouxsie.com
https://siouxsieandthebanshees.backstreetmerch.com
Split in 2002
Sick Child
Siouxsie and the Banshees Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Your mind, your pain
I will melt your winter tears
If you say you will
If you could say you will
Convalescing bruised, I set my mind awake
Dare to take another look
If you could say you will
King of moon gloomy afternoon
Losing track of word and meter
Still shaking in this tear room like a sick child
Still shaking nothing reconciled like a sick child
Melancholia colliding out of mind
In a silver swirl, I take a lungful in
Blow a fistful out if you could say you will
King of moon gloomy afternoon
Losing track of word and meter
Make your final touch people talk too much
Madman screams an unknown language
Still shaking in the tear room like a sick child
Still shaking nothing reconciled like a sick child
The song Sick Child by Siouxsie and the Banshees is a hauntingly beautiful piece that explores the theme of isolation, pain, and the struggle to communicate. The song starts with the lyrics "And I know I never knew you, your mind, your pain" which is a clear indication that the singer has no real connection with the person they are singing to. However, they offer to "melt your winter tears" if only the person would say they will. This shows a willingness to reach out and to help, but the inability to do so without the other person's consent.
As the song continues, the singer speaks of being bruised and convalescing, and setting their mind awake to take another look. The use of the word "convalescing" indicates that the singer has been through some form of pain or trauma and is in the process of healing. They are also willing to take another look at the situation, to try and understand it better. However, once again, they reiterate that they need the other person to say they will.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "King of moon gloomy afternoon losing track of word and meter." This can be interpreted as the confusion and disorientation that come with emotional pain. The rest of the chorus goes on to speak of a sick child who is still shaking in a tear room, unable to reconcile their pain.
Line by Line Meaning
And I know I never knew you
I didn't know you personally
Your mind, your pain
But I can relate to the struggles you faced
I will melt your winter tears
I will comfort you in your sorrow
If you say you will
If you allow me to
If you could say you will
If you are able to express that desire
Convalescing bruised, I set my mind awake
Despite the pain, I force myself to be alert
Dare to take another look
I am brave enough to face my fears
King of moon gloomy afternoon
The saddest ruler of a desolate time
Losing track of word and meter
My thoughts are jumbled and incoherent
Still shaking in this tear room like a sick child
I am overcome with emotion and vulnerable
Still shaking nothing reconciled like a sick child
I am unable to find peace and closure
Melancholia colliding out of mind
Sadness is overwhelming my thoughts
In a silver swirl, I take a lungful in
I inhale deeply to try to calm myself
Blow a fistful out if you could say you will
If only you could reassure me, I could relax
Make your final touch people talk too much
I am craving human connection and comfort
Madman screams an unknown language
My mind is so clouded that I feel like I'm losing control
Still shaking in the tear room like a sick child
I am still struggling to regain my composure
Still shaking nothing reconciled like a sick child
I am still searching for resolution to my pain
Lyrics Β© DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY, BMG Rights Management
Written by: BUDGIE, JONATHAN DAVID KLEIN, MARTIN JOHN MCCARRICK, SIOUXSIE SIOUX, STEVEN SEVERIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@_Talise
Lyrics:
And I know
I never knew you
Your mind, your pain
I will melt your winter tears
If you say you will
If you could say you will
Convalescing bruised
I set my mind awake
Dare to take
Another look
If you say you will
If you could say you will
King of moon
Gloomy afternoon
Losing track
Of word and meter
Still shaking
In this tear room
Like a sick child
Still shaking
Nothing reconciled
Like a sick child
Melancholia
Colliding out of mind
In a silver swirl
I take a lungful in
Blow a fistful out
If you could say you will
King of moon
Gloomy afternoon
Losing track
Of word and meter
Make your final touch
People talk to much
Madman Screams
An unknown language
Still shaking
In this tear room
Like a sick child
Still shaking
Nothing reconciled
Sick child
Still shaking
Nothing reconciled
Like a sick child
@borislavkostov6148
And I know I never knew you
Your mind your pain I will melt your winter tears
If you say you will
If you could say you will
Convalescing bruised I set my mind awake
Dare to take another look
If you say you will
If you could say you will
King of moon gloomy afternoon
Losing track of word and metre
Still shaking in this tear room
Like a sick child
Still shaking nothing reconciled
Like a sick child
Melancholia colliding out of mind
In a silver swirl I take a lungful in
Blow a fistful out if you could say you will
King of moon gloomy afternoon
Losing track of word and metre
Make your final touch people talk too much
Madman screams an unknown language
Still shaking in the tear room
Like a sick child
Still shaking nothing reconciled
Like a sick child
@kelhimacmillan5675
I adore this song! It reminds me of being a confused & angry 14 Yr old, watching "The Craft" and hearing this for the 1st time! It took me years to learn who actually sang it, but I'm still as in love with it now, as I was then!... Best wishes to all! π₯°ππΉππ»π½
@_Talise
Lyrics:
And I know
I never knew you
Your mind, your pain
I will melt your winter tears
If you say you will
If you could say you will
Convalescing bruised
I set my mind awake
Dare to take
Another look
If you say you will
If you could say you will
King of moon
Gloomy afternoon
Losing track
Of word and meter
Still shaking
In this tear room
Like a sick child
Still shaking
Nothing reconciled
Like a sick child
Melancholia
Colliding out of mind
In a silver swirl
I take a lungful in
Blow a fistful out
If you could say you will
King of moon
Gloomy afternoon
Losing track
Of word and meter
Make your final touch
People talk to much
Madman Screams
An unknown language
Still shaking
In this tear room
Like a sick child
Still shaking
Nothing reconciled
Sick child
Still shaking
Nothing reconciled
Like a sick child
@puffpuffyogi
Siouxsie's voice is soo soothing & how she sings calmly then hits a perfect high note
@ralucagymnast
This is a wonderful song; the lyrics are written by Budgie, showing off his talent as a songwriter, as well as being one of the best drummers of the modern era..
@robh.6940
Siouxsie was always great for songs that went beyond where they had to go. They put more effort into making the song great than was required. They went the extra mile. That's why I've loved this band since the early days... although I admit I've never heard this song. It's a good one.
@okabeblack7650
They play a portion of it in the movie The Craft. Deep meaning in the lyrics.
@notone4029
Their Best song!! It gives me chills and goosebumps!! Thatβs when you know a song is otherworldly!!!
@hotlegshoolihan1779
Not sure if you all realize how remarkable these musical arrangements are. Not everyone can make stuff like this. Britney spears would never have seen the light of day if this talent level was still required to make it.
@borislavkostov6148
And I know I never knew you
Your mind your pain I will melt your winter tears
If you say you will
If you could say you will
Convalescing bruised I set my mind awake
Dare to take another look
If you say you will
If you could say you will
King of moon gloomy afternoon
Losing track of word and metre
Still shaking in this tear room
Like a sick child
Still shaking nothing reconciled
Like a sick child
Melancholia colliding out of mind
In a silver swirl I take a lungful in
Blow a fistful out if you could say you will
King of moon gloomy afternoon
Losing track of word and metre
Make your final touch people talk too much
Madman screams an unknown language
Still shaking in the tear room
Like a sick child
Still shaking nothing reconciled
Like a sick child
@OnlYYlnO
Beautiful...