Other band members were (ex-Beefeater) Frederick E. "Freak" Smith, Jr on guitars, Steve Willett on bass, and Dan Ingram on drums. The lineup changed only slightly when Dan Ingram left shortly after the release of The Loved One to tour with Swervedriver and was replaced by Rand Blackwell.
Strange Boutique's sound is crafted from a fusion of influences from shoegaze, gothic rock and ethereal music. It is difficult to compare them to another band as their sound is very unique. Musically they sometimes bring to mind early Curve with a similar "shimmering wall of sound" style. However, Monica's powerful and unique vocal style and heartfelt and poetic lyrics really help to make the band unique.
While never enjoying much commercial success Strange Boutique built up a very loyal fan base and gained the reputation as an excellent live band.
Strange Boutique broke up in 1993, allowing Monica to move to Los Angeles and co-found the band Faith and the Muse.
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Drown
Strange Boutique Lyrics
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I hold it close to my breath
Your sustenance Your goodby kiss
But you won′t live without me
Moon-soaked rising waters carry my love to you
So calm the sea you succumb to me
Floating into my arms
I hold it close to my breath
But you won't survive without me
Cause I gave you my heart
Soft I wait each night
I remember the thought of your skin
The touch of your voice whispering my name
Why did we drift apart
I hold it close to my breath
Your sustenance Your goodby kiss
But you I can′t live without you
'Cause I gave you my heart
The lyrics of Strange Boutique's song "Drown" speak of a heartfelt plea for love and belonging. It is a song about the desperation one feels when they believe that they cannot live without their lover. The opening line, "Fingers hear whispers, I blindly reach for you only for you," sets the tone for the rest of the song. The singer seems to be searching for their lover, blindly reaching out for them amidst whispers they cannot quite hear. The verses that follow describe the depth of the singer's love for their partner, and the desperation they feel for their partner's love in return. The chorus, "I hold it close to my breath, Your sustenance, Your goodbye kiss," reinforces this idea of dependence and need for their partner's love.
The second verse of the song adds the element of distance between the singer and their lover. The lines "Moon-soaked rising waters carry my love to you, So calm the sea you succumb to me, Floating into my arms" evoke a sense of longing and distance. The singer's love is being carried across the sea, and their partner is floating towards them, but they are still not together. The chorus is repeated, and this time, the final line is changed from "Cause I gave you my heart" to "But you, I can't live without you." This change in wording is powerful and underlines the desperation of the singer's need for their lover.
Overall, “Drown” is a deeply emotional song about love, dependence, and the struggle to find one’s place in a relationship. It speaks to anyone who has felt the pain of being apart from someone they love and the desperation they feel for love and belonging.
Line by Line Meaning
Fingers hear whispers I blindly reach for you only for you
I am so desperate for you that I reach out blindly, listening for any sign of your presence.
I hold it close to my breath
Your sustenance Your goodby kiss
But you won′t live without me
I treasure the memory of your kiss and the love and support you gave me, but I can't imagine you ever leaving me.
Moon-soaked rising waters carry my love to you
So calm the sea you succumb to me
Floating into my arms
I send my love to you through the water, and you are so consumed by our connection that you come willingly to me in a dreamlike state.
Cause I gave you my heart
I have given everything to our relationship and put my heart and soul into loving you.
Soft I wait each night
I remember the thought of your skin
The touch of your voice whispering my name
Why did we drift apart
I lie awake each night, thinking of the memories I have of your touch and the sound of your voice. I can't understand how we grew apart and why we are not together anymore.
But you I can′t live without you
'Cause I gave you my heart
Despite everything, I know that I can't bear to be without you because I have entrusted you with my heart and soul.
Writer(s): Danny Ingram, Frederick Smith, Monica Richards, Steve Willett
Contributed by Daniel V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.