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.

Juno
Throwing Muses Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I can't play
When he wakes up
She said
He can't play

When he thinks I'm growing up
That song Juno they did in the street
So many places to go

And not one for me

Said the she
If they were pretty
It'd be okay to say
But that day only

When she wore dresses
She felt born
That song Juno say the words
If you have streets

No one for me
Said the she
That song Juno they sung in the street
Her husband of nineteen years

Danced madly at her feet
Now I can be balancing

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Throwing Muses's song Juno are somewhat fragmented, but they convey a sense of confusion and yearning. The song seems to be about a woman who feels trapped and left behind in her life. When she wakes up in the morning, she can't play - perhaps she is unable to engage with the day or find joy in it. She mentions a man who also can't play, but it is unclear if he is a separate person or a reflection of herself. As the song continues, the woman reflects on a song called Juno that was sung in the street. She feels envious of the people who could sing and play freely, while she is stuck in her own thoughts without direction. She longs for something more, but it seems that there is no place for her.

The lyrics are very evocative, but they also leave much up to interpretation. It is not clear what Juno refers to, though it could be a reference to the Roman goddess of marriage and women, or perhaps a more personal symbol. The themes of trappedness and yearning are universal, and the song captures them with a sense of raw honesty. The woman in the song feels lost and disconnected, but she also has moments of clarity, such as when she reflects on the feeling of being "born" in a dress. In the end, the husband of nineteen years dances madly at her feet, perhaps indicating some resolution or release. The song leaves many questions unanswered, but it paints a vivid picture of a complex emotional landscape.

Line by Line Meaning

I can't play
I am unable to function or participate.

When he wakes up
At the time of his awakening or emergence.

She said
Expressed or stated by her.

He can't play
He is also incapable of functioning or participating.

When he thinks I'm growing up
Whenever he believes I am maturing or progressing.

That song Juno they did in the street
Referring to the musical piece called Juno that was performed or created publicly.

So many places to go
Numerous locations and opportunities.

And not one for me
But none of them are meant or available for me.

Said she
The woman asserted or communicated.

If they were pretty
She would be satisfied or pleased if the circumstances were favourable or attractive.

It'd be okay to say
It would not be undesirable to express or admit.