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.
Say Goodbye
Throwing Muses Lyrics
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Can't you drink it?
I brought this body here for you,
Don't you want it?
Say goodbye,
Kick her legs, kick her down
I bought this pocketknife for you,
I bought this ball and chain for you,
Don't you wear it?
The lyrics to Throwing Muses's song "Say Goodbye" are enigmatic and open to interpretation. The opening lines "I brought this bottle here for you, can't you drink it? I brought this body here for you, don't you want it?" may suggest an unbalanced relationship between the singer and the addressee. The use of the word "body" in this context is compelling as it brings with it connotations of objectification and possession. The singer could be trying to give the person they are addressing something they think they need, whether it is a bottle of alcohol or the singer's own body. However, the use of the words "can't you" and "don't you want it" suggests that the recipient is apathetic, or worse, hostile to the singer's gesture.
Line by Line Meaning
I brought this bottle here for you,
I made the effort to bring you a gift in the form of a bottle, are you not going to consume it?
Can't you drink it?
Is there a reason you cannot or will not consume the gift I brought for you?
I brought this body here for you,
I am presenting myself to you as a gift, are you not interested in accepting it?
Don't you want it?
Is there a reason why you do not desire me, the gift I am presenting to you?
Say goodbye,
I am done with this situation, and it's time to move on.
Kick her legs, kick her down
This line is a metaphor for violently ending a relationship, and suggests aggressive behavior that leads to the end.
I bought this pocketknife for you,
I went out of my way to buy you a weapon, do you have no use for it?
Don't you use it?
I gave you a tool for self-defense or to use for your own purposes, why aren't you using it?
I bought this ball and chain for you,
I have given you an item that is metaphorical of a trap or burden, why have you not accepted it?
Don't you wear it?
Why are you not embracing this responsibility or tie that I have presented to you?
Lyrics © HEYDAY MEDIA GROUP LLC
Written by: KRISTIN HERSH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind