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.
Lisa's Separation
The Legendary Pink Dots Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The sketches that he made for her were ripped and rolling across the floor.
All memories and promises and plans they'd made were scratched or burned
as Lisa laid her head down for the night.
Still the pictures flowed day and night. There's no escape, there's no remission . . .
This one's us in Paris, and this one's us in Rome.
That mess was him in plasticene, those rocks were him in stone.
And still she found no explanation why he left without a word.
Still the pictures flowed through the night. No escape, no remission . . .
They burned his few possessions and they buried him in sand.
They spent his coins in coffee bars and calmly washed their hands.
The only hint of retribution was a lack of intuition--left with dirty hands without a fight.
How the curses flowed through the night. Made their escape, a fruitless mission . . .
His ghost peeps through the curtains gently whispering her name.
It hovers over crushed mementos trying to explain.
And maybe it takes 40 years of patience, swimming through the tears.
He'll guard her each and every lonely night.
Still the pictures flow through the night. No escape, no separation.
The Legendary Pink Dots' song "Lisa's Separation" tells the story of a woman named Lisa who is dealing with the aftermath of a breakup. She tries to rid herself of any reminders of her former lover by putting away his photo and destroying any sketches or plans they had made together. Despite her efforts to move on, Lisa finds herself haunted by memories and pictures of their time together, unable to escape the pain and longing caused by their separation.
The lyrics also touch upon themes of revenge and justice, as Lisa and her friends burn their ex-partner's possessions and spend his money without remorse. However, the lack of closure and explanation for the breakup leaves Lisa feeling confused and hurt, with her ex's ghost haunting her and attempting to explain his actions. The song ultimately ends on a note of sadness and unfulfilled longing, as Lisa is unable to fully escape the memories of her former relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
She covered up the mirror, hid his photo in the drawer.
Lisa cannot bear to see her own reflection, yet alone her departed lover's, so she hides his photo away.
The sketches that he made for her were ripped and rolling across the floor.
Lisa's anger and sadness gets so intense that she destroys even the drawings that her lover made for her and they lie in tatters.
All memories and promises and plans they'd made were scratched or burned as Lisa laid her head down for the night.
Lisa is so affected by the loss of her lover that she tries to erase all memory of him by burning or destroying anything that reminds her of their promises and past.
Still the pictures flowed day and night. There's no escape, there's no remission . . .
Even though she destroyed most of the tangible reminders, Lisa's lover remains with her in her mind and soul, and she cannot escape the memories.
This one's us in Paris, and this one's us in Rome. That mess was him in plasticene, those rocks were him in stone.
The memories and photos that Lisa has of her and her lover and the items he made are still vivid, and she cannot help but remember even the trivial details.
And still she found no explanation why he left without a word. It seemed like such an ordinary night.
One of the most painful aspects of Lisa's loss is that she cannot understand why her lover left, as there was nothing extraordinary about that night to suggest that he would.
Still the pictures flowed through the night. No escape, no remission . . .
Lisa is haunted by her memories and the emotional pain that they bring, and she cannot escape them.
They burned his few possessions and they buried him in sand. They spent his coins in coffee bars and calmly washed their hands.
Lisa feels betrayed and angry that her lover's friends disposed of his belongings so callously and then went on with their lives, leaving Lisa with the pain and the memories.
The only hint of retribution was a lack of intuition--left with dirty hands without a fight.
Lisa can only take solace in the fact that her lover's friends will never understand the pain of her loss or the guilt of their actions.
How the curses flowed through the night. Made their escape, a fruitless mission . . .
Lisa is consumed with anger and frustration at the situation and at those who hurt her, but that anger does not help her escape the pain.
His ghost peeps through the curtains gently whispering her name. It hovers over crushed mementos trying to explain.
Lisa still feels her lover's presence, and she imagines him trying to comfort her or explain why he left, even though he is no longer alive.
And maybe it takes 40 years of patience, swimming through the tears. He'll guard her each and every lonely night.
Despite the pain, Lisa is hopeful that one day she will be able to find peace and that her lover will be there to protect her even after death.
Still the pictures flow through the night. No escape, no separation.
In the end, Lisa knows that she will never be able to escape the love, the pain, and the memories, and that even in death they will remain together.
Contributed by Aaron A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Νίκος Θεοφάνης
She covered up the mirror, hid his photo in the
drawer. The sketches that he made for her were rip-
ped and rolling across the floor. All memories and
promises and plans they'd made were scratched or
burned as Lisa laid her head down for the night.
Still the pictures flowed day and night. There's
no escape, there's no remission . . . This one's us in
Paris, and this one's us in Rome. That mess was him
in plasticene, those rocks were him in stone. And
still she found no explanation why he left without a
word. It seemed like such an ordinary night. Still the
pictures flowed throuhg the night. No escape, no
remission . . . They burned his few possessions and
they buried him in sand. They spent his coins in cof-
fee bars and calmly washed their hands. The only
hint of retribution was a lack of intuition--left with
dirty hands without a fight. How the curses flowed
through the night. Made their escape, a fruitless
mission . . . His ghost peeps through the curtains
gently whispering her name. It hovers over crushed
mementos trying to explain. And maybe it takes 40
years of patience, swimming through the tears. He'll
guard her each and every lonely night. Still the pic-
tures flow through the night. No escape, no
separation.
Wilfred van der Vegte
One of my absolute LPD favs, along with 'I love you in your tragic beauty'...
femme-mirage
Wilfred van der Vegte Masterpieces both. ❤️
Νίκος Θεοφάνης
She covered up the mirror, hid his photo in the
drawer. The sketches that he made for her were rip-
ped and rolling across the floor. All memories and
promises and plans they'd made were scratched or
burned as Lisa laid her head down for the night.
Still the pictures flowed day and night. There's
no escape, there's no remission . . . This one's us in
Paris, and this one's us in Rome. That mess was him
in plasticene, those rocks were him in stone. And
still she found no explanation why he left without a
word. It seemed like such an ordinary night. Still the
pictures flowed throuhg the night. No escape, no
remission . . . They burned his few possessions and
they buried him in sand. They spent his coins in cof-
fee bars and calmly washed their hands. The only
hint of retribution was a lack of intuition--left with
dirty hands without a fight. How the curses flowed
through the night. Made their escape, a fruitless
mission . . . His ghost peeps through the curtains
gently whispering her name. It hovers over crushed
mementos trying to explain. And maybe it takes 40
years of patience, swimming through the tears. He'll
guard her each and every lonely night. Still the pic-
tures flow through the night. No escape, no
separation.
Kevin McCarthy
This is a stunningly beautiful visualization of a profoundly simple LPD song that really digs deap into your soul. Bravisimo!
Gymnastics 7
How I miss you and wish we could discuss videos and life until eh end of the universe.
Erika Weaver-Coleman
you perfectly captured the spirit of the song. Thank you :)
bdazzled08
Hallelujah! Finally a LPD video accompaniment that DESERVES the song! Bravo! Brilliant!
MrMoonlight
Brilliant job. I really liked the end with the dog, like we're back to soft reality after the climax and though it's comfortable, it feels empty, and i think that's what that part of the song is all about. Really great overall anyway.
gres olivier
une pure merveille !!! chanson et clip magnifique !!!!!!!!! merci de ce partage ARTHUR !!!!!!
Carmen Pérez
Hermosa y alucinante...