The Legendary Pink Dots are a Netherlands-based band formed in August 1980 … Read Full Bio ↴The Legendary Pink Dots are a Netherlands-based band formed in August 1980 in the UK who, although distinctly underground, have been musically influential over the years. The band name was derived from pink dots of nail varnish on the piano in their squat, where founding members Edward and April lived. The band has as its focal point vocalist Edward Ka-Spel, who is, along with Phil "The Silverman" Knight, one of the original remaining members of the band. In the mid eighties the band resettled in the Netherlands, where they still reside today. Apart from Edward and Phil, the line-up has gone through many changes. Members such as Ryan Moore, a Canadian bass player, who joined in 1991 after the recordings of the Last Man to Fly with the Tear Garden (he joined as a session musician), went on to form their own labels and musical projects. See Twilight Circus and M Records. Their music is nothing if not original and it is difficult to categorise, but comparisons may be drawn with bands like Pink Floyd and Can.

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.

A Triple Moon Salute
The Legendary Pink Dots Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Floored by the tripwire. Stripped by the crossfire. Down on my knees. For
the first time in years, I believed... And you came and you threw me your
hand and we swam to a land where a promise was sacred, preserved. And my
lady is whispers. my lady is air. I keep a strand of her hair in a heart
on my breast... and I'm safe in our warm cocoon. I know you'll be back
soon and that's a promise that's sacred, preserved. colour me rainbows.
Colour me vexed. I'm perplexed by that light from your moon. But you said
you'd be back soon and that's a promise that's sacred, preserved

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to The Legendary Pink Dots's song A Triple Moon Salute tell the story of a moment of vulnerability and surrender to faith. The singer is metaphorically "floored by the tripwire" and "stripped by the crossfire", in a state of defeat and confusion. However, this moment leads them to experience belief for the first time in years, and they are helped up by another person who "threw me [their] hand". Together, they enter a space where "a promise was sacred, preserved", a land of safety and comfort.

The singer then describes their lady as "whispers" and "air", indicating a metaphorical or spiritual presence rather than a physical one. They keep a strand of her hair close to them, indicating an intimacy and connection beyond the physical realm. The repeated phrase "and I'm safe in our warm cocoon" emphasizes the sense of security and protection that the two characters share. The singer expresses confusion ("perplexed by that light from your moon") but trusts that the other person will return, as they promised. The phrase "that's a promise that's sacred, preserved" is repeated twice, emphasizing the importance and weight of this commitment.

Overall, the lyrics describe a moment of surrender and trust, both to another person and to a larger force (represented by the sacred promise). The image of a warm cocoon provides a sense of safety and comfort, while the ambiguity of the lady's presence indicates a spiritual or emotional connection.

Line by Line Meaning

Floored by the tripwire.
Caught off guard by unexpected circumstances.

Stripped by the crossfire.
Harms and effects caused by external conflicts.

Down on my knees.
Feeling powerless and helpless.

For the first time in years, I believed...
Regaining hope and faith after a long time of despair.

And you came and you threw me your hand and we swam to a land where a promise was sacred, preserved.
Finding support and companionship in someone who values commitment and loyalty.

And my lady is whispers. my lady is air.
Describing the intangible and delicate qualities of someone's affection.

I keep a strand of her hair in a heart on my breast... and I'm safe in our warm cocoon.
Holding onto a symbol of love and feeling protected by an intimate connection.

I know you'll be back soon and that's a promise that's sacred, preserved.
Trusting in someone's word and expecting their return as a source of comfort and hope.

Colour me rainbows. Colour me vexed.
Feeling both elated and troubled by the vividness and complexity of emotions.

I'm perplexed by that light from your moon.
Confused by the mystery and ambiguity of someone's intentions and feelings.

But you said you'd be back soon and that's a promise that's sacred, preserved.
Holding onto a promise as a beacon of expectation and reassurance.

Contributed by Natalie C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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