Lucretia My Reflection

Album: Floodland (1987)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The third single from the goth rock band's second studio album is about the fall of an empire and the aftermath of war. The title refers to Lucretia Borgia of the prominent Borgia family of the Italian Renaissance, who were notorious for their ruthless political tactics and alleged crimes.

    Lucretia herself is often cited as a murderer with a penchant for poison. Lead singer Andrew Eldritch wrote the track for bandmate Patricia Morrison (bass), who "always strikes me as a Lucrezia [Borgia]-type person."
  • The lyrics "once a railroad, now it's done" are a reference to "Brother, Can You Spare A Dime," a 1932 song about the disastrous effect the Great Depression had on the American way of life.
  • The American punk rock band Alkaline Trio covered this on the 2005 album The Suicide Girls: Black Heart Retrospective.
  • This wasn't the first time the name "Lucretia" appeared in a song: Blood, Sweat & Tears used it in their 1970 track "Lucretia Mac Evil" - although without the historical reference. Megadeth also has a song called "Lucretia."

Comments: 1

  • T from TxI believe this song refers to the roman noble woman lucretia who was raped and Her Subsequent suicide caused the rebellion that changed the empire to a republic.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Stand By Me: The Perfect Song-Movie Combination

Stand By Me: The Perfect Song-Movie CombinationSong Writing

In 1986, a Stephen King novella was made into a movie, with a classic song serving as title, soundtrack and tone.

Modern A Cappella with Peder Karlsson of The Real Group

Modern A Cappella with Peder Karlsson of The Real GroupSong Writing

The leader of the Modern A Cappella movement talks about the genre.

Jeff Trott

Jeff TrottSongwriter Interviews

Sheryl Crow's longtime songwriting partner/guitarist Jeff Trott reveals the stories behind many of the singer's hits, and what its like to be a producer for Leighton Meester and Max Gomez.

Michael Schenker

Michael SchenkerSongwriter Interviews

The Scorpions and UFO guitarist is also a very prolific songwriter - he explains how he writes with his various groups, and why he was so keen to get out of Germany and into England.

Loudon Wainwright III

Loudon Wainwright IIISongwriter Interviews

"Dead Skunk" became a stinker for Loudon when he felt pressure to make another hit - his latest songs deal with mortality, his son Rufus, and picking up poop.

Little Big Town

Little Big TownSongwriter Interviews

"When seeds that you sow grow by the wicked moon/Be sure your sins will find you out/Your past will hunt you down and turn to tell on you."