Album: Floodland (1987)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Frontman Andrew Eldritch used the year of his birth, 1959, to represent a bygone time of innocence - but not in the sense of childlike purity. The goth rocker insists he was never that innocent. While discussing the track with Sounds magazine in 1987, he explained: "I really dispute the idea of childlike innocence. I don't recall anything but being potentially deceitful; I was always very aware of deceit. I remember at three reading books about treachery, I had the most treacherous version of Robin Hood that I've ever read! My Godfather gave me Lord Of The Rings, it was so much more interesting than Peter Rabbit."
  • The track is uncharacteristically stark with Eldritch's deep vocals accompanied only by a piano... kind of. He told Bravo magazine: "This one was programmed on the computer note by note without even touching a piano key."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Pam Tillis

Pam TillisSongwriter Interviews

The country sweetheart opines about the demands of touring and talks about writing songs with her famous father.

Rock Stars of Horror

Rock Stars of HorrorMusic Quiz

Rock Stars - especially those in the metal realm - are often enlisted for horror movies. See if you know can match the rocker to the role.

Frankie Valli

Frankie ValliSong Writing

An interview with Frankie Valli, who talks about why his songs - both solo and with The Four Seasons - have endured, and reflects on his time as Rusty Millio on The Sopranos.

Part of Their World: The Stories and Songs of 13 Disney Princesses

Part of Their World: The Stories and Songs of 13 Disney PrincessesSong Writing

From "Some Day My Prince Will Come" to "Let It Go" - how Disney princess songs (and the women who sing them) have evolved.

Kip Winger

Kip WingerSongwriter Interviews

The Winger frontman reveals the Led Zeppelin song he cribbed for "Seventeen," and explains how his passion for orchestra music informs his songwriting.

Stephen Christian of Anberlin

Stephen Christian of AnberlinSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer/lyricist for Anberlin breaks down "Impossible" and covers some tracks from their 2012 album Vital.