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.

Poppy Day
The Legendary Pink Dots Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

We'll remember when that wreath is just a crown of thorns
to drape around your helmet - hide out anywhere at all.
We'll remember when you're no more than a poem on a grave -
a sideline for the guy who writes the birthday cards but never signs his name.
He's got your number, feels your pain...
though you're smiling from the mantel-piece
and you've got your rifle trained.
It's pointing at the T.V. Shall we tell you when to fire?

There's a programme we all hate... it's not a late show so you won't be tired.
We remember how you loved the war films,
and hid behind the sofa throwing balls of silver paper.
We remember. We remember. We've got our poppies on.

We hear the clock chime out eleven. We remember, we remember it's Poppy Day.
(You shall not grow old!)

Overall Meaning

The Legendary Pink Dots' song Poppy Day is a haunting meditation on the effects of war on individual soldiers and society as a whole. The song opens with a reference to the traditional symbol of remembrance for fallen soldiers, the wreath made of poppies. However, the band's lyrical twist on this imagery is to recast it as a "crown of thorns" that soldiers wear in battle, rather than a symbol of honor and gratitude. The line "to drape around your helmet - hide out anywhere at all" reinforces the idea that soldiers use their symbolic remembrance to duck out of their responsibilities to society at large.

The next lines are a bitter rebuke to those who will never experience the horrors of war first-hand, but still benefit from it - the "guy who writes the birthday cards but never signs his name." The song argues that true remembrance of war includes acknowledging the terrible price that soldiers pay, and the psychological scars that they carry for the rest of their lives. The chorus of "We remember, we remember" reinforces the idea that remembrance is an active process, and that it can be a transformative force in the world.

Overall, Poppy Day is a provocative call to action, urging listeners to never forget the sacrifices of soldiers, and to work towards a world where war is no longer necessary.

Line by Line Meaning

We'll remember when that wreath is just a crown of thorns
We will recollect the time when the honor wreath turns out to be a burden that is causing agony and when it is placed atop the helmet it masks off the misery, keeping it out of sight.

to drape around your helmet - hide out anywhere at all.
When the wreath is draped over the helmet, it becomes a cover, a safe haven for the bearers who are hiding from the world and its troubles.

We'll remember when you're no more than a poem on a grave -
We will remember when all that remains of you is a simple verse inscribed on a gravestone.

a sideline for the guy who writes the birthday cards but never signs his name.
That poet who wrote your epitaph seems to resemble that person who composes birthday cards but never put forth their name as the author.

He's got your number, feels your pain...
The poet knows you inside out, senses your agony, and identifies with it.

though you're smiling from the mantel-piece
Despite being immobile and lifeless, the picture of you on the mantelpiece puts on a smile as people pass by.

and you've got your rifle trained.
Your yearning to hold weapons has been captured even in death, depicted by the fixed rifle by your side.

It's pointing at the T.V. Shall we tell you when to fire?
Seemingly, the weapon aims at the television, and the voices ask if they should command you about when to fire.

There's a programme we all hate... it's not a late show so you won't be tired.
A highly detested show airs on TV but there's no chance of dozing off as it starts airing early.

We remember how you loved the war films,
It is recalled that you appreciated war films greatly, which earned you an ultimate spot in the warfront.

and hid behind the sofa throwing balls of silver paper.
While watching war films, you used to hide behind the couch, using silver paper balls as ammunition in anticipation of combat.

We remember. We remember. We've got our poppies on.
Full of remembrance of your life and death, the poppy flowers are respectfully put on.

We hear the clock chime out eleven. We remember, we remember it's Poppy Day.
As the clock strikes 11, it indicates that it's Poppy Day while causing the world to remember all that has been lost.

(You shall not grow old!)
An ardent desire to remember and respect the ones who passed away in war is expressed through the quote 'You shall not grow old!'

Contributed by Molly L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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