For me, part of the major appeal of X is the dissonant harmonies created when Exene Cervenka and John Doe sing together. That and the fact that they are one hell of a great band as well, especially back when Billy Zoom was the regular guitarist. This song is cool–great lyrics, great hooks, just really cool.
From SongMeanings:
In the classic documentary *Decline of Western Civilization* X-ene (sp?) said she got the title from a bible tract. The song is about one of those battles married people experience - about sleeping on the couch, about her disappointment with her husband, her jealousy for an unnamed woman, his callous attitude - and then by one AM she’s back in bed with him; the fight is over but not her bitterness. Anybody who has been married knows the feeelings expressed in this song.
Here’s a link to a live performance in 1981
And of course, the lyrics:
I’ll go somewhere else
I’ll move to the couch
It’s darker in the dark
It’s darker in the day
I forgot you were a liar
Now it’s five to twelve
Shut up and smoke
And I’ll go somewhere else
No more orange nightgowns
One o’clock and then it ends
This is no place
To be addicted to another place
Never get to go
Don’t you want me to make it
I took as long as you took
You take alot from me
I forgot you were a thief
I want to be like her
Instead I stay nowhere
Marked down in the basement
Lousy at the bottom
A life of intermission
February 25th, 2008 at 9:09 pm
X is one of those bands I thought I would like more than I actually do. I do like them, but I always thought they would be better. It’s one of those things I can’t put my finger on.
February 26th, 2008 at 11:14 am
Interesting. Obviously, I don’t quite agree with you.
I don’t know which albums you’ve listened to, but their earliest stuff is generally the best.
February 26th, 2008 at 6:52 pm
The only one I actually own is “Los Angeles.” Like I said it is just one of those things.