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.
Nieces Pieces
Xiu Xiu Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can't wait to meet that first boy that breaks your life
I can't wait till you realize the family you've been born into
I can't wait to watch you turn from good to bad
I can't wait to tell your grandpa made your mommy
Play stripper while your uncle watched
I can't wait to tell you I punched your mommy in the chest
In front of her new friends
I can't wait to watch you grow up around the people who broke it
The lyrics of Xiu Xiu's "Nieces Pieces" are disturbing and shameful, portraying the singer's anticipation of their nieces' future trauma and harm. The beginning of the song is seemingly innocent as the singer expresses their excitement for their nieces' coming of age, but it quickly turns to the singer's sadistic fantasies of the pain and suffering they will undergo. The singer anticipates the heartbreak and dysfunction that will befall their family, and they seem to revel in the notion of their own abusive behavior towards their loved ones. The last line of the song underscores the singer's disturbed mindset, as they look forward to watching their nieces grow up surrounded by the people who caused their mother's pain.
Overall, the lyrics of "Nieces Pieces" paint a terrifying picture of familial abuse, intergenerational trauma, and disturbed mental states. The song is a bold and jarring statement against those who justify or encourage violence towards their loved ones, and it is a powerful cautionary tale about the devastating effects of unchecked anger and fear.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't wait to watch you get older
Excited to witness your growth and development over time.
I can't wait to meet that first boy that breaks your life
Looking forward to the day when someone hurts you emotionally for the first time.
I can't wait till you realize the family you've been born into
Anticipating the moment when you become aware of the dysfunctional family dynamics you are a part of.
I can't wait to watch you turn from good to bad
Interested in observing you transform from a well-behaved child to someone who breaks rules and disregards authority.
I can't wait to tell your grandpa made your mommy play stripper while your uncle watched
Eager to reveal a disturbing family secret to you about your mother's past.
I can't wait to tell you I punched your mommy in the chest in front of her new friends
Looking forward to confessing a violent act towards your mother in a situation that would embarrass her.
I can't wait till you realize mommy's heart is broken
Excited for you to understand that your mother has suffered emotional pain, and for you to potentially feel responsible for it.
I can't wait to watch you grow up around the people who broke it
Interested in witnessing how you will navigate your ongoing relationship with the family members who contributed to your mother's heartbreak.
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Instazome ASMR
one of those songs you never forget
Jack Atterholt
Brutal, devastating stuff. Effective track, and album #xiuxiu
cannedkitty
Janie Stewart the exotic king of misogyny
The Real SMALK
pain
Kyle Tetro
try hearing this album when you are 16 when it first came out. its not pain. it is self realization. Xiu Xiu is not a pain project. It is a processes of emotional strife.
BurnHitsForLove
@Kyle Tetro alittle late to the party at the age of 23.
James Hogg
i mean, i’m hearing it when in 16, just 19 years after it came out 😂
James Hogg
(i am 16 now)
The Real SMALK
@Kyle Tetro Fair. But it still brings ME pain.
vielobst
RIP me