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.
Clowne Towne
Xiu Xiu Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Came a dark reminder of
What a rash and inconsistent faith you've had
Loving your true self and your true love
Clowne Towne
No shelter
Clowne Towne
Clowne Towne
Single angel
Clowne Towne
No exit
Your true father smashed his hands through the glass
Fell out of the privileged life of his dream
Your true love has drunk herself into not being able to pay rent
Or keeping her own words to her ownself
Your true brother has betrayed you over and over
Looked you in the eye
Your true self has become weak, alone, and annoying
A true ridiculous dumbass
Clowne Towne
Reveling nothing
Clowne Towne
A flock of goose
Clowne Towne
Single angel
Clowne Towne
A big donkey
Clowne Towne
No shelter
Clowne Towne
No anything
Clowne Towne
Single beauty
Clowne Towne
No exit
The opening lines of Xiu Xiu's song Clowne Towne describe the hope and optimism that the singer once had for their future, only to have it come crashing down with a "dark reminder" of their own inconsistency and lack of faith. The following lines go on to paint a picture of the various disappointments and betrayals in the singer's life, from their father's fall from grace to their true love's struggles with addiction and finances. Even the singer's own sense of self has become weak and annoying, adding to the feeling of despair and hopelessness that permeates the song.
The repeated refrain of "Clowne Towne" serves to further emphasize this sense of disillusionment and lack of hope. The singer describes a place that offers no shelter, no exit, and no real beauty or comfort. The inclusion of the line "no anything" highlights the sense of emptiness and despair that is at the heart of the song.
Overall, Clowne Towne is a bleak and haunting portrait of a life that has been derailed by disappointment and disillusionment. The lyrics offer a stark and unflinching look at the darker aspects of the human experience, highlighting the pain and isolation that can come from failed dreams and broken relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Up and down through what you thought would be your future
You were hopeful about your future, but it's been full of ups and downs.
Came a dark reminder of
Something reminded you of your failures and shortcomings.
What a rash and inconsistent faith you've had
You didn't have a strong and constant belief in yourself or anything else.
Loving your true self and your true love
Despite everything, you still love yourself and someone else deeply.
Clowne Towne
Referring to a place that's chaotic and nonsensical.
No shelter
There's no protection from the instability and chaos of Clowne Towne.
Clowne Towne
Referring to a place that's chaotic and nonsensical.
No anything
There's nothing of substance or value in Clowne Towne.
Clowne Towne
Referring to a place that's chaotic and nonsensical.
Single angel
There's only one person holding onto hope and goodness in Clowne Towne.
Clowne Towne
Referring to a place that's chaotic and nonsensical.
No exit
There's no escape from Clowne Towne's madness and instability.
Your true father smashed his hands through the glass
Your real father broke through a barrier that separated him from something he wanted.
Fell out of the privileged life of his dream
He lost his position of power and success in his life.
Your true love has drunk herself into not being able to pay rent
The person you truly love has been drinking to the point where they can't even afford their basic needs like rent.
Or keeping her own words to her ownself
She's not being true to herself or keeping promises she's made to herself.
Your true brother has betrayed you over and over
Your actual brother has repeatedly let you down or caused you harm.
Looked you in the eye
He's been honest and upfront with you in his mistreatment of you.
Your true self has become weak, alone, and annoying
You're feeling vulnerable, isolated, and irritating to yourself and others around you.
A true ridiculous dumbass
You feel like a foolish and incompetent person.
Clowne Towne
Referring to a place that's chaotic and nonsensical.
Reveling nothing
There's nothing good or positive to be found in Clowne Towne.
Clowne Towne
Referring to a place that's chaotic and nonsensical.
A flock of goose
An absurd and senseless thing or idea.
Clowne Towne
Referring to a place that's chaotic and nonsensical.
Single angel
There's only one person holding onto hope and goodness in Clowne Towne.
Clowne Towne
Referring to a place that's chaotic and nonsensical.
A big donkey
Another absurd and nonsensical thing or idea.
Clowne Towne
Referring to a place that's chaotic and nonsensical.
No shelter
There's no protection from the instability and chaos of Clowne Towne.
Clowne Towne
Referring to a place that's chaotic and nonsensical.
No anything
There's nothing of substance or value in Clowne Towne.
Single beauty
Despite everything, there's still something beautiful and positive holding on.
Clowne Towne
Referring to a place that's chaotic and nonsensical.
No exit
There's no escape from Clowne Towne's madness and instability.
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@thetree9399
Up and down through what you thought would be your future
Came a dark reminder of
What a rash and inconsistent faith you've had
Loving your true self and your true love
Clowne Towne
No shelter
Clowne Towne
No anything
Clowne Towne
Single angel
Clowne Towne
No exit
Your true father smashed his hands through the glass
Fell out of the privileged life of his dream
Your true love has drunk herself into not being able to pay rent
Or keeping her own words to her ownself
Your true brother has betrayed you over and over
Looked you in the eye
Your true self has become weak, alone, and annoying
A true ridiculous dumbass
Clowne Towne
Reveling nothing
Clowne Towne
A flock of goose
Clowne Towne
Single angel
Clowne Towne
A big donkey
Clowne Towne
No shelter
Clowne Towne
No anything
Clowne Towne
Single beauty
Clowne Towne
No exit
@ebcom3
story of my life; thank you Xiu Xiu. this hits so close to home... as I am sure for many, for various reasons (shhh: bit of a confession in the lyrics in brackets):
Up and down through what you thought would be your future
Became the dark reminder of
What a rash and inconsistent faith you've had
In loving your true self and your true love [°✔️t.h.i.s. this. THIS]
[Chorus]
Clowne towne no shelter
Clowne towne no anything
Clowne towne single angel
Clowne towne no exit
[Verse 2]
Your true father smashed his hands through the glass
And failed out of the privileged life of his dream [°yep ✔️ he was a bigoted arse...I hated having to cut ties with him but just couldn't deal with his racism, xenophobic...a**holiness; nevermind the abuse.]
Your true love has drunk herself into not being able to pay her rent
Or keeping her own word to her own self [°yep- ✔️ expect she drank herself to death, leaving three young children, but we manage...she was beautiful in and out but could never be happy in this world...she knew she was killing herself; born with bad liver as it were, but moved on...I hope everyday she has found peace wherever]
Your true brother has betrayed you over and over
And looked you in the eye [°hope this isn't true concerning 1, but true for so many...but I know I am guilty too. years ago. but I made amends, with a promise- never again. the others? I may as well be a random number...]
*Your true self has become weak and alone and annoying
And a true ridiculous dumb-ass*
[°✔️(´°̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥_°̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥｀) indeed...I don't want to be...]
[Chorus]
Clowne towne revealing nothing
Clowne towne a flock of coots
Clowne towne a single angel
Clowne towne a big dumb kid
Clowne towne no shelter
Clowne towne no anything
Clowne towne single beauty
Clowne towne no exit>>>>>
[°moving half way around the world doesn't help- it is a globe after all... spinning in circles... though meeting new people is nice- there is still some goodness in this place...
***edit it does help. a lot. and I am broke. really broke. really, really broke.
I have found my love; I know she would have approved. and it is possible- ethically, my kids get a great education and see a world perspective. there is goodness left in this world afterall... peace and love to all...]
I truly hope anyone that listens to this song and identifies- take action if you have to... take control of your life. it's hard I know. I know. I know. just don't give up. please. you aren't alone.
I see so many people mention the word suicide in the comments section of many Xiu Xiu songs...help is available. know you aren't alone. know death isn't an answer...
@HermanWaldorf
Xiu Xiu are not easy to listen to because they are so intense .., but when you fell like doing it, it's pure pleasure. Jaimie is a true artist.
@quasiotter
the first 24 seconds are divine, the rest is amazing
@Rosalina102798
Uplifting music, extremely
depressing lyrics. Just what Xiu Xiu does the best.
@Coultermatthewd
I ❤️ Xiu Xiu
@henrywilkerson5681
I ❤ the valley OH!
@thatdarncharn
Xiu Xiu is love. I was lucky to be able to catch one of their shows many years ago.
@pfffr
so good
@thetree9399
Up and down through what you thought would be your future
Came a dark reminder of
What a rash and inconsistent faith you've had
Loving your true self and your true love
Clowne Towne
No shelter
Clowne Towne
No anything
Clowne Towne
Single angel
Clowne Towne
No exit
Your true father smashed his hands through the glass
Fell out of the privileged life of his dream
Your true love has drunk herself into not being able to pay rent
Or keeping her own words to her ownself
Your true brother has betrayed you over and over
Looked you in the eye
Your true self has become weak, alone, and annoying
A true ridiculous dumbass
Clowne Towne
Reveling nothing
Clowne Towne
A flock of goose
Clowne Towne
Single angel
Clowne Towne
A big donkey
Clowne Towne
No shelter
Clowne Towne
No anything
Clowne Towne
Single beauty
Clowne Towne
No exit
@EulogyforNovember
no shelter, no anything...
@sucklet1791
Cool they wrote a song about Carlsbad, New Mexico