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.

Crank Heart
Xiu Xiu Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Telling your son a joke
He doesn't think is funny
We'll catch him unawares but
What if he doesn't wear underwear.
Lighting it up
You were so cool
Her school colors
Black and light black

Giving it up
She has started
Your life's colors
Black and light black
Getting your hair from under your bed
Breaking your fingers

Getting killed by a car
Before you can make him pay.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Xiu Xiu's song Crank Heart are cryptic and somewhat fragmented, but they paint a picture of a troubled individual reflecting on their own experiences and relationships. The first verse describes a person trying to connect with their son through humor, but the son doesn't find it funny. This could represent a strained relationship between the two, or perhaps a sense of disconnect between generations. The next line "We'll catch him unawares but what if he doesn't wear underwear" is more difficult to interpret, but could suggest a sense of vulnerability or insecurity.

The second verse seems to continue exploring themes of disconnection and alienation. The line "Lighting it up, you were so cool" could refer to drug use or possibly a charismatic personality, but it's not entirely clear. The mention of "her school colors/ black and light black" could suggest a potential love interest, but again the meaning is left open to interpretation. The lines "Giving it up she has started/ your life's colors/ black and light black" suggest an end to something and a sense of finality or mourning.

The final verse brings a more violent edge to the lyrics, with reference to getting hair from under the bed implying some sort of domestic violence or abuse. The line "Breaking your fingers" is also violent, suggesting retaliation or punishment for something. The final phrase "Getting killed by a car/ before you can make him pay" is perhaps the most puzzling, but could suggest that the singer is seeking revenge but doesn't achieve it before their own death.

Line by Line Meaning

Telling your son a joke
Attempting to entertain or amuse your child with humor

He doesn't think is funny
Your child does not find the joke humorous or enjoyable

We'll catch him unawares but
You will surprise your child with this unexpected attempt at humor

What if he doesn't wear underwear.
A hypothetical scenario where the absence of proper apparel could result in an embarrassing situation for your child

Lighting it up
Igniting or sparking something, potentially referring to a cigarette or other substance

You were so cool
The singer is admiring the subject's perceived level of awesomeness or trendiness

Her school colors
The official or representative colors of the subject's educational institution

Black and light black
A specific color palette consisting of two shades, likely symbolic or meaningful to the subject or artist

Giving it up
Surrendering or resigning oneself to a particular situation or outcome

She has started
The subject or someone else has initiated or begun a particular action or endeavor

Your life's colors
The colors or hues associated with the subject's existence or experiences

Black and light black
The same specific color palette as mentioned earlier, possibly with further emphasis or importance

Getting your hair from under your bed
Removing or retrieving something from an unusual or unexpected location, such as a loose hair from beneath a bed

Breaking your fingers
Sustaining a painful or debilitating injury to one's digits, often intentionally or in the course of an accident or altercation

Getting killed by a car
Experiencing or witnessing a fatal collision with an automobile, potentially as a result of one's own recklessness or carelessness

Before you can make him pay.
A tragic or unfortunate outcome occurs before the artist can enact the desired revenge or justice upon whoever has wronged them

Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS