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.

Premonition 4
The Legendary Pink Dots Lyrics

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"ring around the rosie a pocket full of posies a tissue a tissue we all fall down ring around the rosie a pocket full of posies a tissue a tissue we all fall down...")

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to The Legendary Pink Dots's song Premonition 4 reference an old children's game and nursery rhyme called "Ring Around the Rosie." This seemingly innocent and fun game is actually about the infamous Black Death (bubonic plague) that ravaged Europe in the 14th century. The "ring around the rosie" refers to the circular red rash that appeared on the skin of plague victims. "Pocket full of posies" refers to the practice of carrying flowers and herbs in a pouch to ward off the smell of death and illness. "A tissue, a tissue" refers to the use of handkerchiefs to cover the faces of the infected. "We all fall down" refers to how the disease would eventually claim the lives of all those infected.

Despite the dark subject matter, the use of these lyrics in Premonition 4 adds to the surreal and dreamlike quality of the song. The repetition of the lyrics emphasizes the inevitability of death and the cycle of life and death. The haunting melody and eerie instrumentation amplify the haunting feeling of the song, while the lyrics serve as a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing every moment.

Line by Line Meaning

"ring around the rosie a pocket full of posies a tissue a tissue we all fall down ring around the rosie a pocket full of posies a tissue a tissue we all fall down..."
Life is full of cycles, just like the children's game 'Ring Around the Rosie.' We carry with us our little trinkets or 'posies' as a way of showing our readiness to deal with the unknown, even though in the end, we all perish.

Contributed by Madison N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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