Their sound has been described as an amalgamation of psychedelic rock, industrial, synth-pop and avant-garde. They have released over 40 records and continuously tour the world.
Members of the band have also collaborated with Nurse With Wound, The Dresden Dolls, Jarboe, HNAS, Jim O'Rourke, Skinny Puppy's cEvin Key, forming The Tear Garden. Ka Spel accompanied Skinny Puppy for a small part of their 1988 European 'Head Trauma' tour in Sweden. Key also appears on the 1994 album 9 Lives to Wonder.
12th
The Legendary Pink Dots Lyrics
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And I can see my face in it...
Now pose beside the flame that lasts forever.
So fetching in your Autumn dress...
Just raise the hem a little less...
Be dignified. This is a somber moment.
Sail pale confetti on the breeze...
Each flake of pastel paper
Has a name on...not forgotten.
And I'd like to pin the blame on nameless faces...
Covered, rotten.
Limb for limb
And through the knees...
God, I wish that they were millipedes...
A hypodermic mercy won't appease me.
This one's for Guy Schlesinger...
A jovial young messenger
Who tripped and nearly kissed a girl
Then spilled the sequel, drenched in detail.
They're still searching...
I know he died a virgin.
Mary, treat him well,
For deep inside, the Prince of Dreams still sleeps...
And this one makes me weep.
A clover leaf that's red but ripped.
Still I hear him whisper:
"Best to live...and let live..."
LET LIVE.
By whose grace do we stand here now...
Granted this extension?
Did you just forget to mention both our names?
And by what name should be bid you
When you hide and whisper riddles...
From the blind side to your deaf ear
We are screaming: "Leave us be!"
LET LIVE.
The Legendary Pink Dots' song "12th" is a poignant and thought-provoking work that explores themes of mortality, memory, and existential questioning. It opens by describing a black marble seal that covers a pit, in which one can see their own face. The singer then goes on to ask a figure, who is wearing an "Autumn dress," to pose beside a flame that "lasts forever." This figure is told to be dignified, as this is a somber moment.
As the song progresses, the singer reveals that there are pastel paper flakes being cast into the air with names on them, indicating that these are people who have passed away. The singer expresses a desire to pin the blame for these losses on "nameless faces" that are "covered, rotten." The song then takes on a more personal tone, with the singer discussing the death of a young man named Guy Schlesinger. The singer laments that he died a virgin and expresses hope that he is being treated well in the afterlife. The song's closing refrain, "Best to live...and let live...LET LIVE," seems to suggest a plea for acceptance and understanding in the face of the inevitability of death.
Overall, "12th" is a deeply introspective song that tackles complex emotions and existential questions head-on. It uses vivid imagery and poetic language to create a haunting and unforgettable listening experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Black marble seals the pit
The coffin has been closed with a black marble and my reflection can be seen on it.
And I can see my face in it...
I can witness my reflection on the surface of the black marble.
Now pose beside the flame that lasts forever.
Stand beside the fire, which is burning perpetually.
So fetching in your Autumn dress...
You look so attractive in your fall attire.
Just raise the hem a little less...
Raise your dress a little less, be modest.
Be dignified. This is a somber moment.
Behave in a composed manner, this is a critical time.
Upon the count of three
When I finish counting to three
Sail pale confetti on the breeze...
Throw pale confetti in the air, let the wind carry it.
Each flake of pastel paper
Every piece of pastel-colored paper
Has a name on...not forgotten.
Has a name printed, so that it is not forgotten.
And I'd like to pin the blame on the nameless faces...
I want to accuse the unknown people involved in this matter.
Covered, rotten.
They are hidden and decayed.
Limb for limb
Body part by body part
And through the knees...
Even through the knees
God, I wish that they were millipedes...
I wish they had many legs like millipedes.
A hypodermic mercy won't appease me.
I can't be calmed by a painkiller injection.
This one's for Guy Schlesinger...
This song is dedicated to Guy Schlesinger.
A jovial young messenger
A cheerful young messenger
Who tripped and nearly kissed a girl
Who stumbled and almost kissed a girl.
Then spilled the sequel, drenched in detail.
Then revealed the rest of the story, in vivid detail.
They're still searching...
They are still trying to find him.
I know he died a virgin.
I know he passed away without having physical relations.
Mary, treat him well,
Please treat him with respect, Mary.
For deep inside, the Prince of Dreams still sleeps...
Because deep down, the Prince of Dreams is still slumbering.
And this one makes me weep.
This part of the song brings tears to my eyes.
A clover leaf that's red but ripped.
A crimson clover leaf that has been damaged.
Still, I hear him whisper:
Yet, I still hear him speaking softly.
'Best to live...and let live...'
'It is best to live life and let others live theirs.'
LET LIVE.
Leave things as they are.
By whose grace do we stand here now...
Due to whom do we exist in this place right now?
Granted this extension?
Were we allowed to continue living?
Did you just forget to mention both our names?
Did you just neglect to address us by our names?
And by what name should we bid you
What shall we call you?
When you hide and whisper riddles...
When you conceal yourself and utter enigmas...
From the blind side to your deaf ear
From an unexpected direction to your inattentive ear
We are screaming: 'Leave us be!'
We are yelling with frustration, 'Let us be!'.
LET LIVE.
Leave things as they are.
Contributed by Grace C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.