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.

Gorgon Zola's Baby
The Legendary Pink Dots Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Gold chain. Bronze skin. Cheese brain. Holes. Yes, Gorgon Zola rules the
beach. She strolls, she kicks some sand - the mild man winces, clears his
eyes. Despises her. She's tall and cruel and cool as sour cream. His dreams
are dry. She'll paralyze - an icepick in his spine. She'll fine him when
his wheelchair's parked on double yellow lines. He takes it because he has
to... because he's built like stale spaghetti. Zola's pointing the machete
- so he jumps!

Overall Meaning

These lyrics from The Legendary Pink Dots's song Gorgon Zola's Baby depict the power and cruelty of the character Gorgon Zola. Through her physical appearance and actions, it's clear that she is in control and feared by those around her. The opening lines describe her with luxurious items - a gold chain and bronze skin - but also with an insult, calling her a "cheese brain." This juxtaposition sets the tone for the rest of the lyrics, portraying her as both desirable and dangerous.

As she strolls along the beach, her authority is demonstrated by the "mild man" who winces and despises her. She is described as being "cruel and cool as sour cream," highlighting her lack of empathy and detachment from those around her. The man in the lyrics is paralyzed by her presence, both literally and metaphorically, as she wields power over him with an "icepick in his spine" and can fine him for any disobedience.

Overall, these lyrics paint a dark and eerie picture of Gorgon Zola as a dominate, merciless figure who is not to be messed with.

Line by Line Meaning

Gold chain. Bronze skin. Cheese brain. Holes.
Gorgon Zola has a gold chain, bronze skin, a small brain, and many flaws.

Yes, Gorgon Zola rules the beach.
Gorgon Zola dominates the beach and everyone around her.

She strolls, she kicks some sand - the mild man winces, clears his eyes.
Gorgon Zola walks and kicks sand, making a weak man flinch and rub his eyes.

Despises her.
The man despises Gorgon Zola for her cruel behavior.

She's tall and cruel and cool as sour cream.
Gorgon Zola is tall, cruel, and as emotionless as sour cream.

His dreams are dry.
The man's hopes and aspirations are crushed by Gorgon Zola.

She'll paralyze - an icepick in his spine.
Gorgon Zola has the power to paralyze someone, as if using an ice pick on their spine.

She'll fine him when his wheelchair's parked on double yellow lines.
Gorgon Zola will punish the weak man by imposing fines when he unintentionally breaks a rule.

He takes it because he has to... because he's built like stale spaghetti.
The weak man endures the punishment because he has no other choice, due to his frail and weak nature.

Zola's pointing the machete - so he jumps!
In fear of Gorgon Zola's machete, the weak man jumps away.

Contributed by Carter A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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