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.
A Bottle of Rum
Xiu Xiu Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Disobey? Obey?
Curare, curare
To claim what?
Unashamed of pain, a bottle of rum
In the ways of a dream
Meaningless to believe
Oh that it were a dream
It was nice, when you were nice, Roberta
Tonight and today, San Josie, San Jose
Rebuff whom?
Ricochet the pain, a bottle of rum
In the ways of a dream
Meaningless to believe
In a rage as a habit
Oh that it were a dream
The lyrics of Xiu Xiu's "A Bottle of Rum" express feelings of desperation, pain, and addiction. The song is narrated from an unnamed person's perspective, who addresses Roberta and talks about her disobedience and her need for curare, a poisonous plant used as a muscle relaxant. The singer seems to question the motives behind Roberta's actions and wonders what she's trying to achieve. He mentions how Roberta's unashamed of her pain and how she seeks refuge in a bottle of rum.
The second verse starts with a sense of nostalgia as the singer remembers how Roberta used to be nice and mentions San Jose as if it has some significance. He then wonders who she's rebuffing and suggests that she's using the bottle of rum to escape the pain ricocheting inside her. The chorus of the song summarizes the singer's understanding of the situation, that it all feels like a dream, and in that nothing really means anything. The cycle of pain and rage has become a habit, and he wishes it were just a dream.
Overall, the song is an emotional and complex portrayal of addiction, mental health issues, and the struggle to cope with pain. The lyrics are open to interpretation, with the specifics of the situation left deliberately unclear. The song has a dark and haunting quality to it that is typical of Xiu Xiu's music, with Jamie Stewart's subdued vocals and the sparse instrumentation creating a distinct mood.
Line by Line Meaning
Run away, get away, Roberta
Roberta is urged to run away and get away.
Disobey? Obey?
Roberta is unsure if she should disobey or obey.
Curare, curare
Curare, a plant used as a poison in South America, is mentioned.
To claim what?
It is unclear what one is trying to claim or achieve.
Unashamed of pain, a bottle of rum
The artist is willing to endure pain and uses alcohol as a coping mechanism.
In the ways of a dream
The singer is in a dream-like state or experiencing something surreal.
Meaningless to believe
The singer believes that something is meaningless or without purpose.
In a rage as a habit
The artist is prone to fits of anger.
Oh that it were a dream
The artist wishes that their current situation was not a reality.
It was nice, when you were nice, Roberta
The artist remembers a time when Roberta was kind.
Tonight and today, San Josie, San Jose
San Jose, a city in California, is mentioned along with the passage of time.
Rebuff whom?
It is unclear who has been rejected or rebuffed.
Ricochet the pain, a bottle of rum
The singer uses alcohol to numb the pain and deflect it elsewhere.
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING
Written by: Jamie Stewart
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
joseph ka5
When things were at their very worst:
2 Suns, Cross in the sky, 2 comets will collide = don`t be afraid – repent, accept Lord`s Hand of Mercy.
The first sign - the Earth will spin faster.
The second sign concerns the sun, which will loom larger, brighter and begin to spin.
Scientists will say it was a global illusion.
Beaware – Jesus will never walk in flesh again.
After WW3 – rise of the “ man of peace“ from the East = Antichrist – the most powerful, popular, charismatic and influential leader of all time. Many miracles will be attributed to him. He will imitate Jesus in every conceivable way.
Don`t trust „pope“ Francis = the False Prophet
- will seem to rise from the dead
- will unite all Christian Churches and all Religions as one.
One World Religion = the seat of the Antichrist.
Benedict XVI is the last true pope – will be accused of a crime of which he is totally innocent.
- banking collapse was deliberately masterminded by the Antichrist
- Antichrist will step in and create a false peace in the state of Israel by joining them with palestine in an unlikely alliance.
- „He will recite extracts from My Teachings, which he will passionately proclaim from every secular stage in the world, until people sit up and take notice of him.“
https://mdmlastprophet.com/the-schism-in-my-church-will-be-broken-into-different-stages/
https://mdmlastprophet.com/the-time-for-the-schism-in-the-church-is-almost-here-and-you-must-get-prepared-now/
The Book of Truth
Electrohead92
It’s weird to hear Xiu Xiu play such relaxing music after their last few albums. This is probably their most accessible song since Honeysuckle.
Laura Aubry
What about wondering?
LiquidDaughter
@Laura Aubry oooooo, so yummy 🖤
K J
Even the music video is quite accessible compared to the previous ones. Either way, I love all of them.
joseph ka5
When things were at their very worst:
2 Suns, Cross in the sky, 2 comets will collide = don`t be afraid – repent, accept Lord`s Hand of Mercy.
The first sign - the Earth will spin faster.
The second sign concerns the sun, which will loom larger, brighter and begin to spin.
Scientists will say it was a global illusion.
Beaware – Jesus will never walk in flesh again.
After WW3 – rise of the “ man of peace“ from the East = Antichrist – the most powerful, popular, charismatic and influential leader of all time. Many miracles will be attributed to him. He will imitate Jesus in every conceivable way.
Don`t trust „pope“ Francis = the False Prophet
- will seem to rise from the dead
- will unite all Christian Churches and all Religions as one.
One World Religion = the seat of the Antichrist.
Benedict XVI is the last true pope – will be accused of a crime of which he is totally innocent.
- banking collapse was deliberately masterminded by the Antichrist
- Antichrist will step in and create a false peace in the state of Israel by joining them with palestine in an unlikely alliance.
- „He will recite extracts from My Teachings, which he will passionately proclaim from every secular stage in the world, until people sit up and take notice of him.“
https://mdmlastprophet.com/the-schism-in-my-church-will-be-broken-into-different-stages/
https://mdmlastprophet.com/the-time-for-the-schism-in-the-church-is-almost-here-and-you-must-get-prepared-now/
The Book of Truth
skeletspook
@joseph ka5 what
maevestrom
I mean honestly I love how this is their most conventional song yet but Grouper still has that filter where she sounds like she's in another room
Miguel Barton
Xiu Xiu is the most bipolar band in history, they go from an album like Angel Guts to Forget and then Girl With a Basket of Fruit to this new LP...I love it
ivo
yikes
ichorous
@ivo ?