Xiu Xiu (pronounced "shoo shoo") is an American experimental group, formed … Read Full Bio ↴Xiu Xiu (pronounced "shoo shoo") is an American experimental group, formed in 2002 in San Jose, California by original members Jamie Stewart, Lauren Andrews, Yvonne Chen, and Cory McCulloch. Currently, the line-up consists of Jamie Stewart (the only constant member since formation) and Angela Seo. The group is based out of Los Angeles and New York.

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.

Clover
Xiu Xiu Lyrics

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I tried hard to be good to you
I felt peace inside my head
Its impossible to just be cool
Please please please
Don't don't don't
Walk like my single hope
We closed our lips and we called it our love
We swallowed a clover made of lead

Its unmanageable to just keep on living
Please please please
Don't don't don't
Walk like my single hope

I can only say it
So many times

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Xiu Xiu's song "Clover" most likely deals with the pain and confusion of a failed relationship. The singer acknowledges that they were attempting to be good to their significant other, but it was impossible to maintain the facade of being "cool." Despite their efforts, they weren't able to sustain a peaceful relationship, and the singer begs their partner not to walk away, as they are their "single hope." The two of them might have tried to maintain their love for one another, but in the end, it was unsustainable. The metaphor of swallowing a clover made of lead seems to illustrate this - while a clover usually represents good luck, swallowing it made of lead would mean it caused sickness and suffering. In the same way, their love, while it might have been promising, ultimately caused pain and confusion. The singer closes by saying that they can only plead with their partner so many times, perhaps indicating that they've begged their partner to stay numerous times in the past without success.

Line by Line Meaning

I tried hard to be good to you
I put in a lot of effort to treat you well

I felt peace inside my head
Being with you brought me a sense of calm

Its impossible to just be cool
Acting nonchalant is not something I can do

Please please please
I am begging you

Don't don't don't
Please don't do what I fear you will

Walk like my single hope
Your actions are the only thing keeping me hopeful

We closed our lips and we called it our love
We pretended that our lack of communication was a sign of deep love

We swallowed a clover made of lead
Our relationship is toxic and harmful to us both

Its unmanageable to just keep on living
I struggle to find a reason to keep going

I can only say it
All I can do is express my feelings

So many times
I've repeated myself countless times