A girl group called "The Pixies Three" briefly existed in the 1960's. Despite this tag automatically redirecting to "Pixies", this would be the correct tag if you are scrobbling music by that group.
Two other Pixies bands also existed: one recorded a single titled "Santa's Too Fat for the Hula Hoop / Kitty Cats on Parade" in 1958, while another recorded an album titled "The Chipmunk Song" in 1970.
Cactus
The Pixies Lyrics
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Just wishing that I had just something you wore
I put it on when I go lonely
Will you take off your dress and send it to me?
I miss your kissin' and I miss your head
And a letter in your writing doesn't mean you're not dead
Run outside in the desert heat
I miss your soup and I miss your bread
And a letter in your writing doesn't mean you're not dead
So spill your breakfast and drip your wine
Just wear that dress when you're dying
P-I-X-I-E-S
Sitting here wishing on a cement floor
Just wishing that I had just something you wore
Bloody your hands on a cactus tree
Wipe it on your dress and send it to me
Sitting here wishing on a cement floor
Just wishing that I had just something you wore
The lyrics to The Pixies’ song “Cactus” are dark and provocative, suggesting a kind of twisted obsession that is both haunting and intriguing. The first stanza finds the singer wishing for something that belongs to someone else, specifically, an item of clothing. It’s unclear who the person is, but it’s clear that the singer is lonely and longing for company. In the second stanza, there is a sense of loss and grief – the person is gone, but the singer is still holding onto their memory. The desert setting creates an image of desolation and isolation, which only adds to the sense of longing and desperation.
The third stanza takes on a more surreal quality as the singer speaks of missing the person’s cooking and then seemingly asking them to wear a dress when dying. It’s unclear whether the singer is actually talking to the person or whether it’s all in their own imagination. The repeated refrain of “Just wishing that I had just something you wore” reinforces the sense of fixation and desire. The final stanza is perhaps the most disturbing, as the singer suggests that the person should harm themselves by bloodying their hands on a cactus tree and then sending the dress back still stained.
Overall, the lyrics suggest a kind of dangerous infatuation, one that is driven by loneliness and obsession. The imagery is vivid and unsettling, making it clear that there is something deeply disturbing about the singer’s desires. Ultimately, “Cactus” is a powerful and haunting song that leaves a lasting impression on the listener.
Line by Line Meaning
Sitting here wishing on a cement floor
I am sitting here, daydreaming on an uncomfortable surface just hoping for something I don't have.
Just wishing that I had just something you wore
I am longing for something that belongs to you, something you've worn, as a talisman for loneliness.
I put it on when I go lonely
I wear that piece of clothing you sent me when I'm feeling isolated and sad.
Will you take off your dress and send it to me?
Can you please send me your clothing, even the dress you're wearing now? I need it to connect to you when you're not here.
I miss your kissin' and I miss your head
I miss feeling your lips on mine, and I miss being held in your embrace.
And a letter in your writing doesn't mean you're not dead
Just because I don't hear from you, it doesn't mean you're deceased.
Run outside in the desert heat
Step outside in the blistering desert temperature.
Make your dress all wet and send it to me
Wet your dress with desert water, and then send it to me so I can feel closer to you.
I miss your soup and I miss your bread
I yearn for the food you make, the flavors I associate with you.
So spill your breakfast and drip your wine
Accidentally slosh your morning meal, and let your wine spill, symbolizing the messiness of life.
Just wear that dress when you're dying
Even when you're nearing the end of your life, please wear that dress so I can feel you're still with me.
Bloody your hands on a cactus tree
Cut yourself on a prickly, ruthless cactus plant.
Wipe it on your dress and send it to me
Cleanse your wound on your dress, then send it to me so I can wear your pain as a piece of your unique warmth.
P-I-X-I-E-S
The band's name spelled out as a comforting chant, for the person singing to feel less lonely.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CHARLES THOMPSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind