Over the life of the band, their music has taken influence from noise, modern classical, dance, post-punk, minimalism, Asian percussion music, and American folk music. Frequently noted as well are the films of Todd Solondz, Shohei Imamura, David Lynch, and Seijun Suzuki and the books of Elfriede Jelinek, V.S, Naipaul, Yukio Mishima, and Ingeborg Bachmann.
Over both song concepts or music videos, the art of Xiu Xiu is often memorable to a newcomer by its divisive response. The music of Xiu Xiu has been noted for the lead singer's bleakness either contrasting or complementing the chaotic instrumentation, lyrics commonly including references to depression, suicide, family issues, militarized violence, abuse, sexual disaffection, and body dysmorphia. The band's public image has taken a similar tone, including the insertion of a poster into an LP sleeve (for the album "Dear God, I Hate Myself") of photographs of band-related cuts, brands, and tattoos sent by listeners. They have been critically divisive.
To date, they have released well over 50 titles including albums, 7inches, books, film works and dance pieces. They have collaborated with a number of artistic and musical luminaries such as Carla Bozulich, Michael Gira, Merzbow, Dahn Vo, Monika Gryzmala, Grouper, Larsen, These Arches, Deerhoof, John Congleton, Dirty Beaches, Oxbow, and Shearwater.
The name Xiu Xiu is taken from the film "Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl." They currently release albums on Bella Union and Polyvinyl Records.
20000 Deaths for Eidelyn Gonzales 20000 Deaths for Jamie Peterson
Xiu Xiu Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sour and ringing and lost to this world
These are times, I should shut up about Iris and Oly,
He didn't know how else to be
Hmm hmm hoot hoot
Cherry oh Cherry
While your friend killed her baby
Cherry oh Cherry
Hmm hmm hoot hoot
The lyrics to Xiu Xiu's song "20000 Deaths for Eidelyn Gonzales 20000 Deaths for Jamie Peterson" are haunting and cryptic, evoking feelings of despair and confusion. The line "awful is all, awful like cookie" uses a comparison between the word "awful" and the taste of a sour, unappetizing cookie to convey the singer's sense of hopelessness and despair. The next line, "sour and ringing and lost to this world," further emphasizes the singer's disconnection from reality and their struggle to make sense of their surroundings.
The reference to "Iris and Oly" is unclear, but suggests a relationship between the singer and these individuals. The line "he didn't know how else to be" could refer to the singer's own behavior, or to the behavior of someone close to them. The repetition of "hmm hmm hoot hoot" and "Cherry oh Cherry" adds to the song's sense of confusion and disorientation.
Line by Line Meaning
Awful is all, awful like cookie
Everything is terrible, just like a bad, hardened cookie
Sour and ringing and lost to this world
Feeling bitter, overwhelmed, and disconnected from reality
These are times, I should shut up about Iris and Oly,
It's not the right time to talk about personal issues that don't matter in the grand scheme of things
He didn't know how else to be
He was unsure of how to act in a difficult situation
Hmm hmm hoot hoot
Nonsensical vocalizations, possibly indicating frustration or confusion
Cherry oh Cherry
A call to someone named Cherry, possibly a plea for help or guidance
While your friend killed her baby
Referring to a horrific event where someone's friend committed infanticide
Cherry oh Cherry
Repeated call to Cherry, possibly out of desperation
I am at your command
Willing to do anything for Cherry, whether out of respect or fear
Hmm hmm hoot hoot
Repeating the same nonsensical vocalization, continuing to express frustration or confusion
Contributed by Joseph Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Dejected Tomatoe
Awful is all
Awful like cookie
Sour and ringing
And lost to this world
These are the times
I should shut up about Iris and Oly
He didn't know how else to be
Hmm hmm, hoot hoot
Hmm hmm, hoot hoot
Hmm hmm, hoot hoot
Hmm hmm, hoot hoot
Cherry, oh Cherry
While your friend killed her baby
Cherry, oh Cherry
I am at your command
Cherry, oh Cherry
While your friend killed her baby
Cherry, oh Cherry
I am at your command
Hmm hmm, hoot hoot
Hmm hmm, hoot hoot
Hmm hmm, hoot hoot
Hmm hmm, hoot hoot
Hmm hmm, hoot hoot
Hmm hmm, hoot hoot
Hmm hmm, hoot hoot
Hmm hmm, hoot hoot
franciska tar
Awful is all
Awful like cookie
Sour and ringing
And lost to this world
These are the times
I should shut up about Iris and Oly
He didn't know how else to be
Hmm hmm, hoot hoot
Hmm hmm, hoot hoot
Hmm hmm, hoot hoot
Hmm hmm, hoot hoot
Cherry, oh Cherry
While your friend killed her baby
Cherry, oh Cherry
I am at your command
Cherry, oh Cherry
While your friend killed her baby
Cherry, oh Cherry
I am at your command
Hmm hmm, hoot hoot
Hmm hmm, hoot hoot
Hmm hmm, hoot hoot
Hmm hmm, hoot hoot
Hmm hmm, hoot hoot
Hmm hmm, hoot hoot
Hmm hmm, hoot hoot
Hmm hmm, hoot hoot
ben o
The most soul crushing album I've ever heard
BurnHitsForLove
This and the four songs after, adding on the fast car cover.
pocket meatball
@BurnHitsForLove I know this is over a year later after you commented but that fucking cover of fast car never fails to make me sob. Apistat commander also kills me every time. Absolutely devastating
B L
Giles Corey is similarly devastating.
w1reh3ad_411
@pocket meatball this but apistat
B L
The synths at 2:18 are so damn good
harm of will
omg a new B L comment! I’m your biggest fan!!
B L
@harm of will lol thanks? Are you being sarcastic?
harm of will
@B L no not at all. I see one of your comments and your metagross pfp almost every time I listen to xiu xiu so I’m reminded of your existence a lot. Most of your comments I’ve seen are from like 5 years ago so I was just happy to see that you’re still listening to xiu xiu.
Moisés Daniel
Me gusta mucho el intro de esta canción y cómo se prolonga de fondo durante toda ella