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.

Fifteen Flies in the Marmalade
The Legendary Pink Dots Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Fifteen flies in the marmalade. Klaus drank all the lemonade. The guests ate all the bread and I'm hungry... nearly dead! But will you dance with me my little pickled herring?

Overall Meaning

"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.

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