The one permanent fixture amidst the Fall's ever-changing line-up was Mark E. Smith (1957 – 2018). Smith's lyrics are free, unboxed and unpredictable, touching on an extremely wide range of subjects and places, and caring little for being tied down to easily digestible messages.
Smith's singing could put off some people, but others find it a uniquely expressive instrument. Smith was not a conventionally great vocalist, but his keen sense of rhythm, his energy and personality more than made up for this.
The Fall's music changed depending on the line-up at a given time. Always experimental, Mark E. Smith claimed to invent several musical genres, including house music; "we were doing that years ago" and even the internet. "He told me I didn't understand, that we were from the bleak industrial wastes of North England, or something, and that we didn't understand the Internet. I told him Fall fans invented the Internet. They were on there in 1982." One thing that is for sure is that The Fall (and their fans) always pushed the boundaries, and were never afraid to experiment.
The Fall were a favorite group of DJ John Peel, recording 24 sessions for his BBC1 radio program over the years.
The Fall's back catalogue consists of 29 studio albums, and is very fragmented with a seemingly endless number of compilations and semi-official live albums.
In 2006, British music-critic Dave Simpson published an entertaining account of a journalist's attempt to track down all 43 former members of The Fall in the Guardian. Many previous members have been fired, often with little or no notice. Simpson's ongoing effort was subsequently described at greater length in his book "The Fallen" (2008). His effort to track down the final unaccounted stragglers of at least 50 previous members of The Fall - including drummer Karl Burns - continues in his blog. Having decried Simpson's book as a "hatchet job" in the pages of Pseud. Mag., a Fall fan-mag, Mark E. Smith countered in short order with his autobiography "Renegade: The Lives and Tales of Mark E. Smith" (Viking, 2008/Penguin 2009).
Mark E. Smith died on 24 January 2018, aged 60.
Key Albums include:
# Live At the Witch Trials (debut)
# Dragnet
# Totale's Turns (It's Now Or Nevr)
# Grotesque (after the Gramme)
# Perverted By Language
# Hex Enduction Hour
# This Nation's Saving Grace
# Middle Class Revolt
# Bend Sinister
# Extricate
# The Infotainment Scan
# Country on the Click aka The Real New Fall LP
# Fall Heads Roll
# Reformation Post TLC (new)
Compilations/Singles/B-Sides:
# 50,000 Fall Fans Can't Be Wrong: 39 Golden Greats
# The Complete Peel Sessions 1978-2004
# Totally Wired: The Rough Trade Anthology (disc 1) and Totally Wired: The Rough Trade Anthology (disc 2)
# 458489 A-Sides
# 458489 B-Sides
Dktr. Faustus
The Fall Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Horseshoes splacking
Swallows hay cart, cart horse
Of the peasants blocking his path
Doctor Faustus
Power showing
Spits out hay cart, cart horse hay and box
You′ve had your chances, you've had your chance
You′ve had your chances, you've had your chance
Doctor Faustus
At the court of the Count
Made fruits exotic pleasure-licious
Appear behind curtains in Winter
Faustus
At the court of the decadent Count
Made animals from sunny lands appear
In the sparse gardens
You've had your chances, you′ve had your chance
You′ve had your chances, you've had your chance
Doctor Faustus
Horseshoes splacking
Swallows hay cart, cart horse
Hay and box
Of the peasants blocking his path
Had to leave
His drinking student friends
Doctor Faustus, Doctor Faustus
Had your chances, you′ve had your chance
Had your chances, you've had your chance
Had your chances, you′ve had your chance
Had your chances, you've had your chance
There′s a blood silhouette through the ceiling sky
There's a blood silhouette through the ceiling sky
There's a blood silhouette through the ceiling sky
There′s a blood silhouette through the ceiling sky
The lyrics to The Fall's song "Dktr. Faustus" depict the story of Doctor Faustus, a legendary character who is known for his pact with the devil. The song starts with the image of Faustus traveling on a horse-drawn cart, encountering obstacles on his way. He displays his power by spitting out the cart, horse, hay, and box, symbolizing his ability to overcome earthly obstacles that stand in his path.
The next verse describes Faustus's presence at the court of a decadent Count. Here, he demonstrates his mastery by making exotic fruits and animals from distant lands appear, even during the winter season and in the sparse gardens. This highlights Faustus's supernatural abilities to defy the usual constraints of nature and impress the court with his power.
The refrain, "You've had your chances, you've had your chance," is repeated throughout the song. It suggests that Faustus has had opportunities to prove himself and showcase his abilities, but it also implies a sense of caution or impending consequence. Despite his impressive displays of power, there may be a cost or limitation to his actions.
The lyric "There's a blood silhouette through the ceiling sky" is repeated at the end of the song. This line evokes a sinister and ominous tone, perhaps symbolizing the impending doom or dark consequences of Faustus's actions. It implies that his ambition and pursuit of power may lead to a dark fate.
Overall, "Dktr. Faustus" portrays the story of Doctor Faustus and his supernatural abilities, capturing the tension between his impressive powers and the potential consequences that may follow.
Line by Line Meaning
Doctor Faustus
A reference to the figure of Dr. Faustus, symbolizing a person who seeks power and knowledge at any cost.
Horseshoes splacking
The sound of Faustus' horse moving forward forcefully.
Swallows hay cart, cart horse
Overpowers and surpasses the limitations of the peasants' transportation.
Of the peasants blocking his path
Representing the ordinary people who try to impede Faustus' progress or success.
Power showing
Displaying Faustus' abilities and influence.
Spits out hay cart, cart horse hay and box
Rejecting and discarding the peasants' belongings, including their means of transportation.
Outside the gates of the town of Anholt
In the outskirts of a specific place, Anholt, indicating the location where these events occur.
You've had your chances, you've had your chance
A reminder that opportunities have been given and wasted.
At the court of the Count
Faustus' presence and performance taking place in the noble court.
Made fruits exotic pleasure-licious
Creating an illusion of desirable and pleasurable exotic fruits through magic.
Appear behind curtains in Winter
The magical manifestation of these fruits happening during a season when they are not naturally available.
At the court of the decadent Count
Emphasizing the opulence and excess of the Count's court where Faustus is showcasing his abilities.
Made animals from sunny lands appear
Using his powers to conjure animals from distant and warm regions.
In the sparse gardens
The contrast between the modest gardens and the extraordinary animals, showcasing Faustus' supernatural abilities.
Had to leave
Necessity or compulsion to depart.
His drinking student friends
Referring to Faustus' companions who enjoy indulging in alcohol together.
There's a blood silhouette through the ceiling sky
An image of blood-like substance in the sky that appears as a silhouette.
Writer(s): Mark E Smith, Craig Scanlon
Contributed by Parker B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Bob Cvetichan
I can't help singing Dr. Fauci!
68majortom
What a great LP Bend Sinister is ✌️
delboy trotter
Aye even better than Hex. Bend Sinister is the daddy
JLipnicki
The title is nicked from a Nabakov novel, the again its a standard term for having a bastard in the family. That is a child born out of wedlock in a posh family that has arms.
Terry Collett
I am 71 and this was my favourite band
68majortom
I hope they still are dude?✌️
Brian Stockwell
I am 72 and this is my favourite band!
nigelf
im 47 and this is my favourite band,,first seen 1988 sadlers wells..aged 15
peterpepperlove
I'm 65 and The Fall are very much alive🎶😏💞
Darren Baker
Fair play to you mate. I can remember this tour Seen them all over the uk my fave too 👌🏻