Green

Album: Throwing Muses (1986)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Teenagers Kristin Hersh and her stepsister Tanya Donelly formed Throwing Muses in 1981 in Newport, Rhode Island. After garnering a #1 college radio hit, "Sinkhole," they signed with the UK label 4AD. Hersh wrote most of their material, but Donnelly regularly contributed one or two songs to each album. This is Donelly's sole contribution to their debut record.
  • "Green" is a surreal, ethereal love song. Donnelly told Uncut in a 2020 interview: "To this day it is an emotional one for many layered reasons; the most stark being that it was about my first love who died when we were quite young and because it was my first raw, real expression in song it's still a hard one for me to play."
  • The song title refers to Tanya Donelly's late, lamented boyfriend's green eyes.
  • Even at this early point in her career, this song was indicative that Donelly would be a sweeter, more pop-smart songwriter than her stepsister. She would continue her straightforward style with two other bands: The Breeders and Belly.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star Riders

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star RidersSongwriter Interviews

Writing with Phil Lynott, Scott saw their ill-fated frontman move to a darker place in his life and lyrics.

Marc Campbell - "88 Lines About 44 Women"

Marc Campbell - "88 Lines About 44 Women"They're Playing My Song

The Nails lead singer Marc Campbell talks about those 44 women he sings about over a stock Casio keyboard track. He's married to one of them now - you might be surprised which.

Andrew Farriss of INXS

Andrew Farriss of INXSSongwriter Interviews

Andrew Farriss on writing with Michael Hutchence, the stories behind "Mystify" and other INXS hits, and his country-flavored debut solo album.

Chris Fehn of Slipknot

Chris Fehn of SlipknotSongwriter Interviews

A drummer for one of the most successful metal bands of the last decade, Chris talks about what it's like writing and performing with Slipknot. Metal-neck is a factor.

Thomas Dolby

Thomas DolbySongwriter Interviews

He wrote "She Blinded Me With Science" so he could direct a video about a home for deranged scientists.

Superman in Song

Superman in SongSong Writing

Not everyone can be a superhero, but that hasn't stopped generations of musicians from trying to be Superman.