Album: Shooting Rubberbands At The Stars (1988)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Edie Brickell wrote the lyric for this song about another Edie: the actress Edie Sedgwick. Known for her associations with Andy Warhol and Bob Dylan in the '60s, Sedgwick was an actress/model who died in 1971 at age 28 from a mixture of alcohol and barbiturates. Brickell didn't know about her until one day when she was at a friend's house and saw a book called Edie on her shelf. Curious about the name, she looked through it and got a glance at Sedgwick's story, which she found depressing and tragic. As she was driving home, Brickell started forming the lyrics, which she left somewhat vague.
  • Some references to Sedgwick's life in the lyrics:

    Little Miss S. in a mini dress - Sedgwick helped popularize miniskirts. She had a very slim figure - a look that was in style at the time.

    Electric dye in her lovers hair - She dyed her hair silver so it would look like Andy Warhol's.
  • This was the third single from Shooting Rubberbands At The Stars, the first Edie Brickell & New Bohemians album. They formed in Dallas in 1985 when Edie Brickell was a student at Southern Methodist University. They got a deal with Geffen Records in 1986, but still didn't believe music would work out as a full-time job - the album title is a reference to their chances. Their firt single, "What I Am," became a surprise hit, but their next one, "Circle," didn't do as well. "Little Miss S." didn't get a video or a huge promotional push from Geffen, and it didn't chart. The band split after one more album but got back together in the late '90s.
  • Edie Brickell & New Bohemians performed this on Saturday Night Live when they were musical guests November 5, 1988. They also performed "What I Am" on the show, giving the song a huge boost. In the wings that day was SNL VIP Paul Simon, who caught Brickell's eye. They struck up a romance and got married in 1992.
  • A year after "Little Miss S." was released, The Cult put out a song about Edie Sedgwick called "Edie (Ciao Baby)."

    In 2015, Wolf Alice released their song about Sedgwick, "Silk."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Jesus Thinks You're a Jerk: Rock vs. Televangelists

Jesus Thinks You're a Jerk: Rock vs. TelevangelistsSong Writing

When televangelists like Jimmy Swaggart took on rockers like Ozzy Osbourne and Metallica, the rockers retaliated. Bono could even be seen mocking the preachers.

Jonathan Cain of Journey

Jonathan Cain of JourneySongwriter Interviews

Cain talks about the divine inspirations for "Don't Stop Believin'" and "Faithfully."

Gentle Giant

Gentle GiantSongwriter Interviews

An interview with Ray and Derek Shulman of the progressive rock band Gentle Giant to discuss counterpoint, polyrhythms, and... Bon Jovi.

Deconstructing Doors Songs With The Author Of The Doors Examined

Deconstructing Doors Songs With The Author Of The Doors ExaminedSong Writing

Doors expert Jim Cherry, author of The Doors Examined, talks about some of their defining songs and exposes some Jim Morrison myths.

Album Cover Inspirations

Album Cover InspirationsSong Writing

Some album art was at least "inspired" by others. A look at some very similar covers.

Artis the Spoonman

Artis the SpoonmanSong Writing

Even before Soundgarden wrote a song about him, Artis was the most famous spoon player of all time. So why has he always been broke?