The Legendary Pink Dots is a Netherlands-based band formed in August 1980 i… Read Full Bio ↴The Legendary Pink Dots is 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.

ClockWise
The Legendary Pink Dots Lyrics

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Brave Sir Henry swims the Serpentine in 16 seconds flat. We applaud him from
the plimsoll line; Sir Henry lifts his hat... We drink some wine. We hold
up signs. We give him 9 point 87 every time. Every time! That's just
the way things are in heaven here.

Sweet Katrina preens in six way mirrors under triple moons. I have seen her
glide along the river murmuring this tune. Here.

A little bird just told me that my time is nearly through and soon

I must forget this place and crawl right back to you. Childhood ends and
"sense" descends, and I'll believe in you. I'll be leaving you.

Overall Meaning

The Legendary Pink Dots' song "Clockwise" is a captivating track with nuanced lyrics that invite listeners to take a deep dive into its meaning. The song paints a picture of a heavenly utopia where the impossible becomes possible, and everything is perfect. The first verse is about Brave Sir Henry, who swims the Serpentine in 16 seconds flat, and the people applaud him from the plimsoll line. Everyone holds up signs and gives him a score of 9.87 every time he swims. The people seem to be in heaven, and everything is just the way it should be. The perfect score and the adoration of the crowds for Sir Henry is a metaphor for how even the most mundane things can be transformed into something extraordinary in an ideal world.

The second verse features Sweet Katrina, who is preening under six different mirrors beneath the triple moons. She glides along the river and murmurs a tune that speaks to the listener's soul. The imagery of triple moons and her glide along the river conveys the idea that Katrina is not of this world, but rather she exists in a realm of perfection.

The final verse is where the song takes a turn. The singer tells the listener that his or her time in heaven is coming to an end, and they "must forget this place and crawl right back" to where they came from. The reference to childhood ending and "sense" descending implies a loss of innocence and a return to the real world. The song ends with the singer saying, "I'll be leaving you," conveying the sadness of having to let go of the heavenly state and return to reality.

Overall, this song is a beautiful reflection on the fleeting nature of perfection and the inevitability of leaving it behind. It invites the listener to think deeply about what perfection means to them and whether it's possible to achieve it in the real world.

Line by Line Meaning

Brave Sir Henry swims the Serpentine in 16 seconds flat.
Sir Henry has a display of bravery and athleticism, swimming across the Serpentine in the given time

We applaud him from the plimsoll line; Sir Henry lifts his hat...
Witnessing Sir Henry's feat, we cheer him on while he thanks us for our support

We drink some wine. We hold up signs. We give him 9 point 87 every time.
To celebrate the triumph, we drink wine and show signs of admiration and approval. We consistently give Sir Henry a score of 9.87, which highlights his exceptional skills

Every time! That's just the way things are in heaven here.
Sir Henry's achievement is so remarkable that he is revered and glorified for it every time. This heavenly admiration is the norm in this place

Sweet Katrina preens in six way mirrors under triple moons.
Katrina is a charming person who admires herself in front of mirrors amidst the light of three moons

I have seen her glide along the river murmuring this tune. Here.
The singer has observed Katrina gliding along the river and humming a sweet melody

A little bird just told me that my time is nearly through and soon I must forget this place and crawl right back to you.
The singer is warned by a bird that he does not have much time left in this world and he will have to leave this place soon to go back to his loved one

Childhood ends and "sense" descends, and I'll believe in you.
The innocence of childhood is lost and a sense of seriousness and skepticism takes over, but the artist chooses to believe in his loved one

I'll be leaving you.
The artist acknowledges the impending departure from this world, indicating that he must separate from his loved one

Contributed by Molly J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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