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.
Fifteen Flies in the Marmalade
The Legendary Pink Dots Lyrics
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"Fifteen Flies in the Marmalade" is a surreal and intriguing song by The Legendary Pink Dots that features captivating, off-kilter lyrics. The song opens with the peculiar line "Fifteen flies in the marmalade," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the song. The idea of flies in jam is revolting, and it's not something that would typically be considered a subject of a song. However, this is what makes the song so intriguing. It subverts expectations and draws the listener in.
The next few lines of the song continue in a similarly offbeat fashion. Klaus drank all the lemonade, and the guests ate all the bread, leaving the singer hungry and "nearly dead." These lines convey the sense of neglect or abandonment by others, creating a mood of loneliness and despair. However, the song takes a sudden turn in the last line. The singer asks, "But will you dance with me, my little pickled herring?" This line is utterly bizarre and opens up several points of interpretation. Who is the singer addressing? What does the metaphor of a pickled herring mean in this context? The song is full of such ambiguities and invites multiple readings.
Line by Line Meaning
Fifteen flies in the marmalade.
There are fifteen pesky little insects contaminating the jar of sweet fruit preserve.
Klaus drank all the lemonade.
Klaus consumed all of the refreshing beverage made from lemons.
The guests ate all the bread and I'm hungry... nearly dead!
The visitors indulged in all of the bread and now I'm starving to the point of being almost deceased!
But will you dance with me my little pickled herring?
Despite the unpleasant circumstances, would you be willing to partake in a dance with me, my dear salty-preserved fish?
Contributed by Avery Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.