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.

Little Oyster
The Legendary Pink Dots Lyrics

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Sylvia fed me spiders in the classiest corner of town... Collars turned up to hide us we cupped our hands and shovelled them down silver blades and subtle passes slipped our pills and swapped our glasses, played footsie on a fading floor. we turned around I shut the door you shot me with a killer glance - i swore! i screamed! you'll not put me in the circus with the fleas, or with Kathleen, the human bean... i'm scared of heights... i tiptoed tightropes... Angels spied the telescopes. "Gone fishing" but i will not be your oyster, God... i'm much too young to drink, and much to drunk to die... i'm happy in your tapestry you happy on a thread. You wove the pair of pink pyjamas and a double bed and when i sleep, I mutter "Mata Hari you strike me dead!" with hatpins baby... hit me where it hurts, Mmmm! I love it! i'll be your little oyster - i'll be the whole wide world

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Little Oyster" by The Legendary Pink Dots are intentionally obscure and surreal, with a lot of references to drugs and possibly sexual activities. The first verse describes Sylvia feeding the singer spiders in the classy part of town, which may symbolize some form of exotic mind-altering substance. The second verse implies some kind of drug-fueled exchange between the two, with pills and glasses being swapped, and footsie being played on a fading floor. The third verse changes the tone to a kind of playful argument, with the singer protesting against being put in the circus and expressing fear of heights while the other person shoots a killer glance. The fourth verse has a similar playful tone, with the singer declaring willingness to be the other person's little oyster, a metaphor for being at their beck and call. The closing lines express the singer's satisfaction with their place in the world, happy to be a thread in someone else's tapestry.

Overall, the lyrics seem to suggest a kind of hedonistic, drug-induced lifestyle, with the singer happy to be swept up in it all. The surreal imagery and playful language make it hard to pin down specific interpretations, but there is a sense of reckless abandon and a desire to be consumed by something larger than oneself.

Line by Line Meaning

Sylvia fed me spiders in the classiest corner of town...
In a fancy part of town, Sylvia gave me food with spiders in it.

Collars turned up to hide us we cupped our hands and shovelled them down
To avoid being seen, we put our collars up and used our hands to eat the spider-laced food quickly.

silver blades and subtle passes slipped our pills and swapped our glasses,
We discretely traded pills and glasses using silver blades and sly gestures.

played footsie on a fading floor. we turned around I shut the door
We flirted with each other under the table, then I closed the door behind us.

you shot me with a killer glance - i swore! i screamed!
You gave me a look that affected me deeply and caused me to react strongly with strong words and sounds.

you'll not put me in the circus with the fleas, or with Kathleen, the human bean... i'm scared of heights... i tiptoed tightropes...
I refuse to be treated poorly and compared to lowly circus performers. I also admit that I am fearful of heights and take great caution when crossing tightropes.

Angels spied the telescopes. 'Gone fishing'
Even angels watched as we indulged in our vices, while we used the ruse of 'gone fishing' to keep others from finding us out.

but i will not be your oyster, God... i'm much too young to drink, and much to drunk to die...
I refuse to be a passive object controlled by a higher force, because I still have much to live for and experience in life, yet I am currently overwhelmed by my current state of drunkenness.

i'm happy in your tapestry you happy on a thread.
I find comfort and happiness in our interwoven lives, where you are content being part of the bigger picture.

You wove the pair of pink pyjamas and a double bed
You created a cozy living space for us out of love.

and when i sleep, I mutter 'Mata Hari you strike me dead!' with hatpins baby... hit me where it hurts, Mmmm! I love it!
Even in my dreams, I am affected by a past lover's betrayal and retaliate with violence, which excites me.

i'll be your little oyster - i'll be the whole wide world
I am willing to be completely vulnerable and surrendered to you, because you represent everything that the world has to offer.

Contributed by Matthew W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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