Cuts You Up by Peter Murphy

Album: Deep (1989)

Charted: 55

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In this rather bewildering song, Peter Murphy sings about what "cuts you up," using opaque phrases to describe it and what it does. Here's what we know:

It twists and turns
It changes color
It spins yarns
It leaves you dry
It takes you high
It's painted gold

In a Songfacts interview with Murphy, we asked him what it is that cuts you up and spits you out. He replied: "The path of discovery, self-knowledge, wisdom... once you feel you have it. Then the path will spit you out or off the way and ruin your assumptions of this path. In fact, a great mighty necessity for those spiritual seekers or so-called 'holy state' desires when getting arrogant."

Murphy has spent his life on this path of discovery, which is chronicled in his music. Two years after this song was released, he moved to Turkey, where he explored Muslim worship music and immersed himself in Sufism, a branch of Islam.
The song is driven by a violin riff played on a synthesizer. According to Simon Rogers, who produced the track, they brought in a musician to replicate it on viola, but it didn't sound right.
In America, this is Peter Murphy's most famous solo song, and his only Hot 100 chart entry. Murphy was the lead singer of Bauhaus, best known for the vampiric "Bela Lugosi's Dead." His Bauhaus bandmates formed Love and Rockets, which had a US hit with "So Alive" in 1989.
Murphy wrote this song with his guitarist, Paul Statham.
In the video, there is a shot of an electric bass playing the violin riff with a bow, but that's just for show - in live performances the riff is replayed from a keyboard, sampler or computer.
This ruled the Billboard Alternative Songs chart, which debuted in 1988. It spent seven weeks at #1 and was ranked #9 in their 2018 listing of the top songs all-time on the chart.
This was used in the 1996 film Box of Moonlight and in the 2016 episode of American Horror Story: Hotel, "Be Our Guest."

Comments: 10

Ethan from CharlotteNo one has mentioned what Peter Murphy is most known for, the band that first defined goth as a genre - bauhaus. Cuts you up is genius, but it's a piece he created after the high point of his career.
Angus from OttawaIt sounds like "it" is the same "it" from the movie Semi-Tough
Carlos from BrazilHe is talking about the "Morning Star" and the initiatory path revealed when someone consecrates himself to the occultism of Luciferian secret societies, such as Rosicrucians, O.T;O., Freemasonry, etc.
Livio from BrazilI think its about drugs, maybe cocaine... its certainly about cocaine.
Faith H from White Mills PaI have always interpreted this as a drug song. Drugs make you feel good ( you pour yourself over me, like the sun through the blinds, etc ) but addiction takes it's toll, it " Cuts you up" .
Billy Bradly from Carlsbad CaCouldn’t leave a comment on another site. Trippy song think it’s about heroine in my opinion. I was listening one morning with a ritual all my own and went... son of a bit....
Tho who knows. Music can be interpreted a million ways. Either way enjoy.
Jonny O from Denver I love the song. Though a bit sad, it brings contentment and peace.Bless you,Peter Murphy
Chris from Germany Interesting fact:
In the early 90s NINE INCH NAILS played for him as a supporting act... and years later TRENT RAZNOR was able to recruit peter murphy as a special act for their NIN Arena tour.
Chris from Germany Great song and a milestone of alternative rock. A blend of SISTERS OF MERCY and BOWIE. Great !
Tim from ClarkdaleSuch a great song - smooth, deep, unique, haunting. And the video - wow - it still holds up even though a few of the images looks a little dated. Pure 90s and a huge hit back then. As for what it means... these lyrics are pure rorschach. Seems to have a special meaning to everyone. What's this guy up to lately? Heard he moved to Turkey and adopted a certain branch of Islam. Is he still composing?

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