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.

Walnut House
Xiu Xiu Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Think about it before you spray paint "don't worry mom"
On the dumpster of the nursing home they have as many
Eyes as a pineapple
I am the dumbest bitch on the planet
On the second floor landing sweating buckets
My arm pits are like black moons shaking at the end of
A cord my leather daddy dancing very near
Like a sweetheart would

Hurting my butthole like a sweetheart would
Oh, oh it's a little titmouse
Ah, ah little chickadee

Oh, ooh it's little ruddy duck
Don't worry mom

Overall Meaning

The song Walnut House by Xiu Xiu is highly metaphorical and abstract. The opening lines "Think about it before you spray paint "don't worry mom" on the dumpster of the nursing home they have as many eyes as a pineapple" seem to be admonishing someone to be more cautious in their actions, as it is likened to spray painting on the dumpster of a nursing home with many eyes - the pineapple possibly symbolizing a warning sign in this context. The following lines "I am the dumbest bitch on the planet" bring attention to self-deprecation or a lack of self-esteem. The image of "sweating buckets" on the second-floor landing further demonstrates a sense of anxiety or nervousness being experienced by the singer.

The lines "My armpits are like black moons shaking at the end of a cord, my leather daddy dancing very near like a sweetheart would, hurting my butthole like a sweetheart would" could be interpreted in several ways, one being a sexual encounter with a dominant partner or the connotation of leather and the term "leather daddy" in BDSM communities. The imagery of the "butthole hurting" could also be taken metaphorically as the pain experienced through submissive actions. The reference to "little titmouse," "chickadee," and "little ruddy duck" add to the vague and disjointed nature of the song. Overall, the lyrics of "Walnut House" leave a lot up for interpretation, but the themes of anxiety, self-deprecation, and BDSM tendencies are prevalent.

Line by Line Meaning

Think about it before you spray paint "don't worry mom"
Consider the implications of your actions before defacing property with a potentially upsetting message to your mother.

On the dumpster of the nursing home they have as many Eyes as a pineapple
The nursing home dumpster is covered in a multitude of observational stickers, as many as can be found on the bumpy surface of a pineapple.

I am the dumbest bitch on the planet
Self-deprecating statement indicating a perceived lack of intelligence by the singer.

On the second floor landing sweating buckets
Picturing a scene of extreme anxiety involving substantial sweating while standing on an upper floor platform.

My arm pits are like black moons shaking at the end of A cord my leather daddy dancing very near
The artist's sweat stains are dark and large, resembling celestial bodies, and their dominant sex partner - wearing leather clothing - is dancing provocatively nearby.

Like a sweetheart would Hurting my butthole like a sweetheart would
A contradictory statement indicating a painful experience - akin to one that a loved one might inflict - causing physical discomfort in the singer's nether regions.

Oh, oh it's a little titmouse Ah, ah little chickadee Oh, ooh it's little ruddy duck
A trio of bird species is identified and exclaimed upon.

Don't worry mom
A repeated phrase, possibly indicating concern or as a reminder of the message spray-painted on the nursing home dumpster.

Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING

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