Throwing Muses is a post-punk alternative rock band formed in 1981 in Newpo… Read Full Bio ↴Throwing Muses is a post-punk alternative rock band formed in 1981 in Newport, Rhode Island, United States, that toured and recorded extensively until 1997, when its members began concentrating more on other projects. Originally fronted by two distinctive lead singers, Kristin Hersh and Tanya Donelly, stepsisters who both wrote the group's songs, Donelly left in 1991 to form Belly and, since Throwing Muses reformed in 2003, has guested during concerts and recordings.

Throwing Muses is known for performing music with shifting tempos, creative chord progressions, unorthodox song structures, and surreal lyrics. The group was set apart from other contemporary acts by Hersh's stark, candid writing style; Donelly's pop stylings and vocal harmonies; and David Narcizo's unusual drumming techniques eschewing use of cymbals. Hallucinatory, febrile songs by Hersh occasionally touched on the subject of mental illness, more often drawing portraits of characters from daily life or addressing relationships.

Donelly left the band in 1991 and was a member of The Breeders and Belly, before starting to perform solo. She also contributed vocals to the Throwing Muses self-titled album in 2003. Hersh has also worked solo, and fronts the power trio 50 Foot Wave (which also includes Muses bassist Bernard Georges). Narcizo works in graphic design and has a musical project Lakuna.

In March 2003, Throwing Muses came back with their eighth album, Throwing Muses, which also saw the return of Tanya Donelly who provided backing vocals on the album. A greatest hits compilation titled Anthology was released in 2011. The band's ninth album, Purgatory / Paradise was released on October 29, 2013 in the UK and November 11 in the US. In early 2014, the band toured a few U.S. cities, with Donelly opening for the East Coast dates.

Devil's Roof
Throwing Muses Lyrics

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I have two heads.
Where's the man? He's late.
One burns, one sky
Where's the man? He's late.
I'm two-headed, one free, one sticky.

But is it freedom can burn?
Is sticky ever blue?

For instance, where's my husband?

This is what I need.
Why I can't stay.
God, this is the devil.
Too bad he's late.
I love the smell of beer.
The smell of dark, the feel of dark, to feel the rug
To press the rug beneath me.
A small party.

But is it sinners can burn?
I hear we let them speak.
For instance, where's my husband?

If you're my husband.
I tell you something.

Dance on a devil's roof.
Under a devil's moon.
I don't care
And you don't move

And you don't move
And you don't move

Overall Meaning

The song Devil's Roof by Throwing Muses showcases Kristin Hersh's unique and poetic songwriting style. Through abstract and fragmented lyrics, Hersh creates a surrealistic narrative that is open to many interpretations. The song begins with the line "I have two heads" and this sets the tone for the rest of the song. The singer seems to be experiencing a sense of duality where one part of her is free while the other is sticky or trapped. The repetition of the line "Where's the man? He's late" adds to the sense of disorientation and confusion.

The singer then questions whether freedom can burn and whether something that is sticky can ever be blue. These lines suggest that the singer is struggling with the idea of what true freedom means and whether it is possible to ever attain it. She then asks the question "For instance, where's my husband?" which adds to the feeling of disconnection and loneliness. The following lines describe the singer's love of the smell of beer and the feeling of a rug beneath her. These sensory details add to the surrealistic atmosphere of the song and make it hard to decipher the meaning behind them.

The final lines of the song are "Dance on a devil's roof, under a devil's moon. I don't care, and you don't move." These lines seem to suggest that the singer is willing to take risks and go against societal norms, even if others do not understand or approve of her actions. Through this song, Throwing Muses explores themes of duality, confusion, loneliness, and the search for freedom.

Line by Line Meaning

I have two heads.
I have a duality in my thoughts and actions.

Where's the man? He's late.
I am waiting for someone, but they are not on time.

One burns, one sky
One of my thoughts is passionate, while the other is tranquil.

I'm two-headed, one free, one sticky.
I am split in two, with one side being carefree and the other being clingy.

But is it freedom can burn?
Is the ability to be free causing me harm?

Is sticky ever blue?
Can being clingy lead to sadness?

For instance, where's my husband?
As an example, where is my significant other?

This is what I need.
This is what I want or require.

Why I can't stay.
This is why I am unable to remain where I am.

God, this is the devil.
This situation is terrible or unpleasant.

Too bad he's late.
Unfortunately, the person I am waiting for is not here yet.