The Sugarplum Fairies draw influence from French cultural icons such as Françoise Hardy, Anna Karina, and Jean-Luc Godard, as well as the Velvet Underground, John Lennon, and Lee Hazlewood. Frequently mentioned as a point of comparison by critics, Mazzy Star, a similarly styled female-singer, male-guitarist duo from the 1990s, are also cited as an influence.
Sugarplum Fairies’ upcoming release “Chinese Leftovers” veers from sleepy shoegaze pop to bouncy D.I.Y. indie rock, all with a subtle infusion of country-noir and the occasional hint of eclectic Vaudeville.
For “Chinese Leftovers” Sugarplum Fairies have teamed up with Joey Waronker (Beck, REM) on drums, Gus Seyffert (The Bird And The Bee, Sia) on bass, Jebin Bruni (P.I.L., Aimee Mann) on keyboards and Martin Tillman (Dark Knight, Rickie Lee Jones) on cello.
The CD was mixed by Todd Burke (Belle & Sebastian, Ben Harper) and mastered by 3 time Grammy winner Gavin Lurssen (T Bone Burnett).
ABC featured the song “Hold On To Me” on the season finale episode of “Grey’s Anatomy” on May 14.
Discography
Flake (Starfish Records, 1999)
Introspective Raincoat Student Music (Starfish Records, 2003)
Country International Records (Starfish Records, 2006)
Chinese Leftovers (Starfish Records, 2009)
Flake
Sugarplum Fairies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Knowing them better than anything else I’ve known in my life
And sad Susan says daisies don’t smell, whatever
You’re making me feel like the catch of the day
In every single way
I will lie to you the way I always do
I will cheat on you I’m tired of staying true
Wallpaper flowers so pretty
Knowing them better than anything else I’ve known in my life
I’m all on my own I stare at the phone for hours
And I hear you say you’ll know it’s me if it doesn’t ring today
I will lie to you the way I always do
I will cheat on you I’m tired of staying true
I will lie to you the way that I always do
The lyrics to Sugarplum Fairies' song "Flake" are introspective and melancholic, demonstrating a sense of loneliness and detachment from the world. The opening lines, "Watching the pattern of cracks on the wall forever / Knowing them better than anything else I’ve known in my life," describe a feeling of being trapped or stuck, and finding solace in something as mundane as the pattern of cracks on the wall. This sets the tone for the rest of the song, which touches on themes of betrayal, isolation, and emotional disconnection.
The character of "sad Susan" is introduced as someone who is disillusioned and cynical, claiming that "daisies don't smell." This line can be interpreted as a metaphor for lost innocence and the inability to appreciate the beauty in the world. The singer then shifts to describing their own sense of worthlessness, feeling as though they are "the catch of the day / In every single way." This line highlights the idea that the singer feels disposable and unimportant, a sentiment that is reinforced by the chorus, which repeats the phrase "I will lie to you the way I always do" multiple times.
The second verse describes "wallpaper flowers" that are "so pretty," but the singer is still alone and staring at the phone for hours, waiting for someone to call. This again reinforces the sense of isolation and detachment from others. The final chorus is a repetition of the first, with the singer admitting that they will continue to lie and cheat, perhaps as a coping mechanism or a way to protect themselves from further hurt.
Overall, "Flake" is a haunting and introspective song that speaks to feelings of loneliness and betrayal, as well as a sense of detachment from the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Watching the pattern of cracks on the wall forever
I observe the cracks on the wall for a prolonged time.
Knowing them better than anything else I’ve known in my life
I am very familiar with the cracks on the wall.
And sad Susan says daisies don’t smell, whatever
A melancholic girl named Susan asserts that daisies have no fragrance, or doesn't care.
You’re making me feel like the catch of the day
You are treating me like a desirable catch.
In every single way
In all aspects.
I will lie to you the way I always do
I will deceive you as I usually do.
I will cheat on you I’m tired of staying true
I will be unfaithful to you since I am weary of being loyal.
Wallpaper flowers so pretty
The flowers on the wallpaper look beautiful.
Knowing them better than anything else I’ve known in my life
I am more intimate with the wallpaper flowers than anything else I’ve ever encountered.
I’m all on my own I stare at the phone for hours
I am alone, gazing fixedly at the phone for a protracted time.
And I hear you say you’ll know it’s me if it doesn’t ring today
I hear you claim that if the phone doesn't ring, it must be you calling.
I will lie to you the way I always do
I will deceive you as I usually do.
I will cheat on you I’m tired of staying true
I will be unfaithful to you since I am weary of being loyal.
I will lie to you the way that I always do
I will deceive you as I usually do.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CANDYKING PUBLISHING
Written by: BENEDIKT BOHM, SILVIA RYDER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind