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.

Prisoner
The Legendary Pink Dots Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Roaming spores and running sores and scorching fever. Score a pill to maybe
ease the pain. But there's more to come. The thunder's in your brain, the
lightning dances. Stars explode and spit. A foaming fit, stuck in a lift.
Press "ground floor", but IT RISES! Bursts the ceiling, peeling clouds
and fleeing for the sun where maybe there's just a little peace. Oh please
God... Just a little peace. A small release, an anaesthetic - this headache's driving me insane!

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to The Legendary Pink Dots' song "Prisoner" seem to describe a person dealing with a variety of physical and psychological symptoms. The "roaming spores" and "running sores" suggest illness, while the "scorching fever" implies a high temperature that could be causing discomfort. The singer seems to be medicating themselves with pills, but they realize that there is little relief to be had. The thunder in their brain and the dancing lightning suggest a sense of chaos and confusion that is only getting worse. The stars exploding and foaming fit that are stuck in a lift are further symbols of distress and feeling trapped. The singer is trying to escape this pain by pressing the "ground floor," but instead, the lift rises and bursts through the ceiling. The imagery of peeling clouds and fleeing for the sun suggests a hope of finding some peace or comfort, even if it is just for a moment.

Overall, the lyrics portray a sense of desperation and a desire for relief from physical and emotional agony. The singer seems to be searching for any kind of release from the pain they are experiencing, and they are willing to try anything, even if it means breaking through the ceiling.

Line by Line Meaning

Roaming spores and running sores and scorching fever.
Suffering from various diseases like infections and high fever that cause great pain and discomfort.

Score a pill to maybe ease the pain.
Take a medication hoping it will relieve the pain or suffering.

But there's more to come.
The suffering is not over, but will continue.

The thunder's in your brain, the lightning dances.
Feeling intense pain and experiencing hallucinations.

Stars explode and spit.
Seeing bright flashes of light before your eyes due to intense pain.

A foaming fit, stuck in a lift.
Having a seizure and being trapped in a small space.

Press "ground floor", but IT RISES!
Trying to go down to relieve the suffering, but instead the pain and discomfort intensify.

Bursts the ceiling, peeling clouds and fleeing for the sun where maybe there's just a little peace.
Rising higher into the sky, hoping to find relief and freedom from the pain and discomfort.

Oh please God... Just a little peace.
Requesting help and relief from a higher power.

A small release, an anaesthetic - this headache's driving me insane!
Desperately seeking pain relief and a break from the intense suffering.

Contributed by Gabriel C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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