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.
Stitching Time
The Legendary Pink Dots Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I faked my despair in the beautiful ruins.
I wailed at the wall, tossed a coin in the fountain -
now dry as the sand on a dead man's bones.
High dive from a cloud, take a roll down a mountain.
I rise in a shroud and I sleep when I'm counting.
I shed my disguise when there's nobody looking.
The whites of your eyes are all mine alone.
A guest in your home because that's where the heart is.
Try and fly on the wind, though you'll find I'm the fastest.
I'm always let in, but I dine alone.
Rest assured I'll survive though I'll thrive on your danger.
I'll arrive as your friend but I'll leave as the stranger.
I'm open for bribes, in the end I will wager
you've nothing to buy but some time alone.
The rules of the game are all mine for the making.
You'll cheat all the same but you're mine for the taking.
There's no special favours and no-one forsaken.
I live for you all, but I'll die alone.
The Legendary Pink Dots' song "Stitching Time" is a poetic introspection on the duality of the self and the human condition. The lyrics depict a character that is playful, self-aware, and existential. The first few lines, "I shaved off my hair cos I found it amusing, I faked my despair in the beautiful ruins," suggests a person who is exploring their identity and experimenting with their image. This could imply that they have come to terms with their true self and are at peace with it, even if it goes against societal norms or conventions.
The references to tossing a coin in the fountain and taking a roll down a mountain are metaphors for taking risks and experiencing life to its fullest. The character is unafraid to embrace the unknown and take leaps of faith, as seen in the "High dive from a cloud" line. However, they also understand their mortality, as they are "written in stone" and "sleep when I'm counting." This juxtaposition between life and death is further emphasized by the lines "I live for you all, but I'll die alone."
The character is both a guest in someone else's life and a stranger to themself. They are willing to be vulnerable and open to new experiences, but they are also guarded and private. The lyrics suggest that the character may be searching for a deeper connection with others, as seen in the line "The whites of your eyes are all mine alone," but ultimately they will always be alone in their journey.
Line by Line Meaning
I shaved off my hair cos I found it amusing,
I cut off my hair just because it was a funny thing to do.
I faked my despair in the beautiful ruins.
I pretended to be sad in the presence of beautiful devastation.
I wailed at the wall, tossed a coin in the fountain -
now dry as the sand on a dead man's bones.
I cried and threw a coin into the fountain that is now dried up like the bones of a dead person.
High dive from a cloud, take a roll down a mountain.
I jump from the sky and roll down a mountain.
I rise in a shroud and I sleep when I'm counting.
I wake up in the clothes of death and only sleep while counting.
I shed my disguise when there's nobody looking.
I remove my mask when no one is watching.
The whites of your eyes are all mine alone.
I have complete control over your emotions.
And I'm written in stone. I'm the dust on your carpet.
I am both unchangeable and small and insignificant.
A guest in your home because that's where the heart is.
I am a guest in your home because that's where the emotions are.
Try and fly on the wind, though you'll find I'm the fastest.
You can try and outrun me, but I will always be faster.
I'm always let in, but I dine alone.
I am always allowed inside, but I eat alone.
Rest assured I'll survive though I'll thrive on your danger.
I will survive, but I need danger to live my best life.
I'll arrive as your friend but I'll leave as the stranger.
I will enter as a friend, but exit as a stranger.
I'm open for bribes, in the end I will wager
you've nothing to buy but some time alone.
I am willing to be bought off, but ultimately you will have nothing but time alone.
The rules of the game are all mine for the making.
I control the rules of the game.
You'll cheat all the same but you're mine for the taking.
You will try to cheat, but ultimately you are mine to be taken.
There's no special favours and no-one forsaken.
No one is treated differently and no one is left behind.
I live for you all, but I'll die alone.
I exist for all of you, but ultimately I will die alone.
Contributed by Michael N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Andrya
There’s a live version of this that is absolutely amazing, I used to have it on a burned cd but it’s been so long since I’ve been able to find that. Niels goes nuts in it. It’s so, so good. Pls hit me up if anyone can find that.
John Cole
I purchased the 1993 Chicago live double cd this weekend in Dallas. It’s on there.
Tonelocmanson's Gamer'sParadise
i love this song its one of their best!
Tom T
An edgy Edward/Phil composition. So much to love about it. "I'll thrive on your danger.."
los lara
Why is this not on SPOTIFY????
Aazhyd
I shaved off my hair cos I found it amusing,
I faked my despair in the beautiful ruins.
I wailed at the wall, tossed a coin in the fountain -
now dry as the sand on a dead man's bones.
High dive from a cloud, take a roll down a mountain.
I rise in a shroud and I sleep when I'm counting.
I shed my disguise when there's nobody looking.
The whites of your eyes are all mine alone.
And I'm written in stone. I'm the dust on your carpet.
A guest in your home because that's where the heart is.
Try and fly on the wind, though you'll find I'm the fastest.
I'm always let in, but I dine alone.
Rest assured I'll survive though I'll thrive on your danger.
I'll arrive as your friend but I'll leave as the stranger.
I'm open for bribes, in the end I will wager
you've nothing to buy but some time alone.
The rules of the game are all mine for the making.
You'll cheat all the same but you're mine for the taking.
There's no special favours and no-one forsaken.
I live for you all, but I'll die alone.
Read more: Legendary Pink Dots - Stitching Time Lyrics | MetroLyrics
wingsandash
I couldn't agree more.
wingsandash
THANK YOU.
skincage
@wingsandash You are so welcome. This needed to be on YT.