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.

Mercury
Throwing Muses Lyrics

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I am the opposite of you
You battle your mean spirit
I'm suffering through my own
I don't know what that's like
I honestly don't know what that's like

You answer to no one
We quit making out to attend this meeting

With old ladies on tremendous amounts of coke
And reeling, I hear my bad voice call
My wayward brain reels

My easily distracted brain reels
Head full of
Climbing mercury
Climbing mercury

Climbing mercury
Climbing mercury
We park in the shade
I am a complement to you
I know what that's like
And somehow equate that with dealing
I hope I don't stomp on your heart
Believe me, I know what that's like

Climbing mercury
Head full of
Climbing mercury

Climbing mercury
Climbing mercury

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Throwing Muses' song "Mercury" are reflective of personal struggles with mental health and relationships. The first verse contrasts the singer's experience of suffering through their own mean spirit with their partner's battle against theirs. The singer acknowledges their inability to fully empathize with their partner's struggles, stating "I honestly don't know what that's like." This sets up the theme of communication struggles and misunderstandings.

The second verse describes a situation where the couple must prioritize attending a meeting with older individuals under the influence of drugs over continuing their physical intimacy. The singer hints at a potential inner conflict, as they hear their "bad voice" calling out while their "wayward brain reels." These references hint at feelings of self-doubt and confusion, further manifested by the repeated lyrics "climbing mercury" and "head full of climbing mercury."

The final verse attempts to reconcile the differences between the couple, with the singer recognizing their complimentary nature. However, they express apprehension about potentially hurting their partner and acknowledge past experiences of having their own heart stomped upon. The repetition of "climbing mercury" underscores the theme of internal chaos and mental turmoil.

Overall, "Mercury" explores the complexities of relationships, mental health, and communication struggles. The lyrics offer a glimpse into the singer's personal battles with mental health, while also depicting the difficulties in relationships that arise when one's struggles are not fully understood by their partner.

Line by Line Meaning

I am the opposite of you
I am not like you in any way

You battle your mean spirit
You struggle with your inner demons

I'm suffering through my own
I'm dealing with my own personal struggles

I don't know what that's like
I can't understand your struggles because they're different from mine

You answer to no one
You don't take orders from anyone

We quit making out to attend this meeting
We stopped kissing to come to this appointment

With old ladies on tremendous amounts of coke
In the company of elderly women high on drugs

And reeling, I hear my bad voice call
I'm struggling and hearing my own negative thoughts

My wayward brain reels
My brain is unfocused and struggling to stay on track

My easily distracted brain reels
My brain gets sidetracked easily and struggles to concentrate

Head full of
My mind is occupied with