Verlaine was often considered as one of the most talented performers of the early punk rock era. Verlaine's poetic lyrics, and his accomplished guitar playing technique were highly influential and widely praised in the music media. He, and Television bandmate, Richard Lloyd were one of rock music's most acclaimed and inventive guitar duos.
Verlaine's stage name is a reference to French symbolist poet Paul Verlaine.
Famed for his trailblazing work as the singer and guitarist for the seminal New York punk band Television, Verlaine also carved out an acclaimed and eclectic solo career. Verlaine trained as a classical pianist but gravitated toward rock music after an encounter with Rolling Stones' song"19th Nervous Breakdown." In 1968, he and bassist Richard Meyers (later Richard Hell) moved to New York's Lower East Side, where they and drummer Billy Ficca formed the group The Neon Boys. The Neon Boys quickly disbanded after failing to recruit a second guitarist (despite auditions by Dee Dee Ramone and Chris Stein). They reformed as Television a few months later, finding a guitarist in Richard Lloyd, and began playing at seminal punk clubs like CBGB and Max's Kansas City. In 1975, Verlaine kicked Hell out of the band for his erratic playing and behavior, and, with Fred Smith replacing Hell, they released their first single.
Beginning with their landmark 1975 debut single "Little Johnny Jewel," Television became one of the most renowned groups on the burgeoning New York underground scene; though lumped together with the punk phenomenon, the band's complex songcraft -- powered by Verlaine's strangled vocals, oblique lyrics and finely-honed guitar work -- clearly set them apart from their peers. However, after only two albums, 1977's classic Marquee Moon and the more subdued 1978 follow-up Adventure, Television disbanded, and Verlaine started a solo career.
He resurfaced in 1979 with a self-titled debut which featured the song "Kingdom Come," later covered by avowed fan David Bowie. 1981's dense Dreamtime earned significant acclaim, and even hit the U.S. album charts. Both 1982's diverse Words From the Front and 1984's Cover drew raves from the British press, spurring Verlaine to take up residency in London. After a three-year hiatus, he returned with Flash Light, regarded as one of his best solo efforts.
Following 1990's The Wonder, Television briefly reformed for a self-titled album and tour; the group again broke up.
In 1992 Verlaine issued his first instrumental LP, Warm and Cool. In 1994, he composed the score for the film Love and a .45. Currently, he and his jazz-influenced punk guitar are touring. He is responsible in part for popularizing the Fender Jazzmaster, along with Elvis Costello. In 1997 he was asked by Jeff Buckley to produce his follow-up album to "Grace", "Sketches For My Sweetheart The Drunk", before Buckley's death by drowning that year.
During the 1990s he collaborated with different artists, including Patti Smith, and composed a film score.
Verlaine was part of The Million Dollar Bashers, a supergroup also featuring Sonic Youth musicians Lee Ranaldo and Steve Shelley, Wilco guitarist Nels Cline, Bob Dylan bassist Tony Garnier, guitarist Smokey Hormel, and keyboardist John Medeski. Their work appears on the original soundtrack to "I'm Not There", a biographical film reflecting on the life of Bob Dylan.
In 2012, Verlaine collaborated with former Smashing Pumpkins guitarist James Iha on his second solo album Look to the Sky.
Penetration
Tom Verlaine Lyrics
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Well, I'm forgetting things before I think them
The stars are out; they're writing on my brow
Your names, your qualities - I could drink them
Deep, deep pulsation
Deep, deep penetration
Well, I'm sorry; I can't find it; please, don't hate me
You glow in the dark, whispering in sparks
You say "I'm dripping wet..."
You build a ladder and you lay it on the ground
Then you move away, you move away, you move away
Without a sound
The lyrics of "Penetration" by Tom Verlaine offer a surreal and dreamlike description of a nighttime encounter. The first stanza sets the tone with a reference to gazing at the moon and forgetting things before thinking them. The stars are "writing" on the singer's brow, as if he is receiving some cosmic message. He is also enraptured by someone's name and qualities, suggesting a deep fascination or love.
The second stanza adds to the mystical quality of the song, with the repeated refrain of "deep, deep pulsation" and "deep, deep penetration." These words could be interpreted in a sexual sense, but they also have a broader resonance, evoking the idea of something entering deeply into one's being, whether it's a feeling, a concept, or a presence.
The final stanza introduces a dialogue between the singer and someone else (perhaps the object of his fascination). They are seeking something, but the singer cannot find it. The reference to glowing in the dark and dripping wet adds to the sensual atmosphere, while the image of building a ladder and then moving away without a sound is tantalizingly enigmatic. Overall, the lyrics of "Penetration" evoke a sense of longing and mystery, leaving much to the listener's imagination.
Line by Line Meaning
All afternoon gazing at the moon
I spent the whole afternoon staring at the moon
Well, I'm forgetting things before I think them
I'm losing my memory and can't remember things even before I get to think of them
The stars are out; they're writing on my brow
The brightness of the stars shines so bright that it feels like they imprint stars on my forehead
Your names, your qualities - I could drink them
I am so fascinated by your names and qualities that I feel like I want to drink them in and never forget them
Deep, deep pulsation
A powerful wave of emotion courses through me
Deep, deep penetration
A profound understanding that goes beyond the surface
You say, "okay, please, get me what I need."
You ask me to get you what you need
Well, I'm sorry; I can't find it; please, don't hate me
I apologize for being unable to find what you need and ask you not to hold it against me
You glow in the dark, whispering in sparks
You radiate light even in the dark, and your whispers sound like sparks igniting in the air
You say "I'm dripping wet..."
You express that you are experiencing extreme pleasure or excitement
You build a ladder and you lay it on the ground
You construct a way of ascending and place it on the earth
Then you move away, you move away, you move away
Then you distance yourself away from me
Without a sound
You do so quietly and without making any noise
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: TOM VERLAINE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind