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Siouxsie and the Banshees — Cities In Dust
Album: Tinderbox
Avg rating:
7.4

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2136









Released: 1986
Length: 3:44
Plays (last 30 days): 2
Water was running, children were running
You were running out of time
Under the mountain, a golden fountain
Were you praying at the Lares shrine?
But, oh, your city lies in dust, my friend

We found you hiding we found you lying
Choking on the dirt and sand
Your former glories and all the stories
Dragged and washed with eager hands

But, oh, your city lies in dust, my friend

Hot and burning in your nostrils
Pouring down your gaping mouth
Your molten bodies blanket of cinders
Caught in the throes

And your city lies in dust
Comments (219)add comment
A bit of linguistic trivia: in Scots and Irish Gaelic 'ban-sith' translates as fairy woman, though Gaelic fairies are a lot more fearsomr and frightening than Tinker Bell ;-)
fyi sioux city iowa has really good sarsaparilla

and sarsaparilla isnt easy to spell, let me tell ya

I wonder  if they've ever played Sioux City, Iowa or Sioux Falls, S. Dakota?

But I don't think Banshees are native to either city.  Go figure. 

She would have to go solo. 
 markybx wrote:
Image result for aleppo{#Cry}


need some new pix of Ukraine.........so sad
 DW4554 wrote:

Siouxsie Sioux aka Susan Janet Ballion is rather amazing.  Fierce and fiery much like Chrissie Hynde with whom I have limited personal experience. Was taken down a peg or two by her at the 9:30 Club in DC for taking pictures during her performance with the Pretenders. She mock posed for me onstage so I could finish the photo shoot. Would not care to get into an argument with either out of massive respect for both. 






The original 9:30 club or the much bigger newer one? If the former, you had no where to hid for sure.
Tonga 2022
Wow. Banshees were not something you would welcome.
They were harbingers of death.
Siouxsie Sioux aka Susan Janet Ballion is rather amazing.  Fierce and fiery much like Chrissie Hynde with whom I have limited personal experience. Was taken down a peg or two by her at the 9:30 Club in DC for taking pictures during her performance with the Pretenders. She mock posed for me onstage so I could finish the photo shoot. Would not care to get into an argument with either out of massive respect for both. 




Love Souixsie and Creatures and anything shes done… amazing
 SwampYankee wrote:

Love it. Takes me back to the WLIR in the 80s. 



Oh YES! Forgot about WLIR (in NYC) - nice one!
 BuellRider wrote:

Not heard this for ages. Got an original 12" single. Old fashioned fat/deep groove; bass just kicks. Great track. Thanks RP.



But, LBH, it's all about the tubular bells. 
Not heard this for ages. Got an original 12" single. Old fashioned fat/deep groove; bass just kicks. Great track. Thanks RP.
 bluefrog wrote:
One of those songs I just love for no particular reason.
 

Who needs a reason? 
ringing of the bells, I am transported again, Dancing at the Box. 
One of those songs I just love for no particular reason.
Saw them at an outdoor venue at night in Florida. Also found an ice pick on the ground. Kept for a couple of decades in my toolbox.
 kcar wrote:
Nice Segue: Harry Manx "All Fall Down (disappear into dust)" --> this. 

Then San Andreas Fault - watch is all fall down! Fun set
 markybx wrote:
Image result for aleppo{#Cry}
 
Looks like Minneapolis.

Nice Segue: Harry Manx "All Fall Down (disappear into dust)" --> this. 


great tune, rate 9 
I love their version of Dear Prudence!
Always liked this band
Siouxsie was breaking ground for other female artists back in the day, was lucky enough to see her at a small club.
The chorus effect on the bass in this song is lovely. damn good band.
So great... takes us back to those insane, awesome, early days in LA! 
Thank you so much Markybx for showing us that ravaged cities are not just an ancient phenomenon to be acknowledged in our songs.
{#Hearteyes}
tempted to add this to my holiday play list, my friend
Try to find this on vinyl.  pert near impossible.
Love it. Takes me back to the WLIR in the 80s. 
 dragon1952 wrote:
Must have been an influence for Peter Burns of  Dead or Alive.

 
I thought that too...  also brings to mind...a good dose of Sinead O'Conner!? 


Baby_M
(a 100+-year old building in downtown Akron, Ohio) 
Posted: Dec 15, 2016 - 13:58
 < Reply >

 tulfan wrote:
My favorite female - sung Goth song describing Pompeii...

 
'Way better than the one by Bastille.

tulfan
(Still in SE MI) 

What a bout the one by Triumvirat?


Must have been an influence for Peter Burns of  Dead or Alive.
Image result for aleppo{#Cry}
Oh my goodness. It's been a few years since I heard this.
 tulfan wrote:
My favorite female - sung Goth song describing Pompeii...

 
'Way better than the one by Bastille.
My favorite female - sung Goth song describing Pompeii...
More Siouxsie please {#Pray}
That still works, my friend...
Goddess
Excellent choice.
Compliments to the chef.
A new drug called city & bells passed the FDA evaluation.
She is among one of the real artists of the late 70s-early 80s alt/punk scene. Her heavily mascara-laden jet black, goth appearance probably hindered her merchantability, but garnered support among the "tell-it-like-it is" underground cogniscenti. She's still as hot as she ever was. Rock on Siouxsie Sioux!   
 Skydog wrote:
had to go YouTube this to hear it again
love her vocal on the line,...'But, oh, your city lies in dust, my friend '

 
I have never deciphered it, in all this time!  Thanks.
She should have been a much bigger star.
WOW, did I really see Siouxsie & the Banshees back in 79 at the Grey Hound in Croydon!!!!  {#Eek}
This song simply moves me, obviously since 80's 
mesmerizing..
Still outstanding. Still sounds great, not dated at all. (avoid the remixes)
 4merdj wrote:
Nice 80's sound! {#Bananajam}{#Boohoo}{#Guitarist}  {#Dancingbanana}{#Dancingbanana_2}

 
exactly!!
 Euskadita wrote:
Siouxsie, owner of a haunting, enchanting, admirable voice. 

 
Yes!  Well stated, Outstanding piece of music-history imo
 JoBo wrote:
i rate her just one notch above Patty Smith ... yuk!

 
But you can dance to this....and I do, often and sometimes even naked.
 Nenelena wrote:
{#Bananajam}{#Drummer}

Thank you Bill!!

 
ditto {#Cheers}
{#Bananajam}{#Drummer}

Thank you Bill!!
Saw them in Florida in the 80s, on this tour I believe. Found an ice pick on the ground in the middle of the crowd. Nice.
 Kaisersosay wrote:
nice memeroies from this

 
 

 
Year after graduating from high school - in my first "real" job, taking a couple of preliminary college courses - and this was among some f-ing great playlists on the local college radio at the time...
Siouxsie, owner of a haunting, enchanting, admirable voice. 
9 on a Saturday night, 6 on a Sunday morning.
All... All your base are belong to us...
i rate her just one notch above Patty Smith ... yuk!
nice memeroies from this
{#Dancingbanana}
More 80s.  Ho-hum....{#Yawn}
The Godmother of Goth
Nice 80's sound! {#Bananajam}{#Boohoo}{#Guitarist}  {#Dancingbanana}{#Dancingbanana_2}
This tune has a permanent spot on my Android.


Always worth having a look at Siouxie. . . reminds me of Mrs Poacher.

Perhaps her peak, and a 9+ tune.
Looking for a representation of GOOD 80's rock: this is it!
So eighties. And so f-ing good!

Classic.
Decent baby!  5
Excellent tune!
sooooo good for the ears
 duchamp wrote:
...old favorite for me.
 

me too, and I don't know why, but it sounds really good this morning.
...old favorite for me.
This song has the benefit of following Bob Dylan. Automatically a high score...without even trying. It has an annoying chorus though...geeez...shut up!!!

trippy segue

 lattalo wrote:
Does anyone remember Shakespears Sister, I use to listen to them alot. The name of the Cd was Hormonally Yours, Bill this was a great CD. It came out about the same time as this CD.
 
I'm pretty sure this album came out about five or six years before Hormonally Yours was released.  Siobhan Fahey was probably still with Bananarama when this song came out.
Great song by the way.



JunkieXL recorded a new version of that song, on the "Booming Back At You" album. I think I prefer the original though {#Smile}

 lattalo wrote:
Does anyone remember Shakespears Sister, I use to listen to them alot. The name of the Cd was Hormonally Yours, Bill this was a great CD. It came out about the same time as this CD.
 
Yeah I've got the vinyl, played it to death! They were a bit like Florence and the machine today, bit orf kilter but good.
Siouxie's a one off, class and good to listen to, must get some more...

 df1489 wrote:

 
I forgot to post a comment...(oops!)
I love Siouxie...

A song to brighten my day. (My poor 14 yr old cat is very sick) Reminds me of good times. Thanks-Bill
Boy, am I glad I have a swivel chair at my desk—better for seat-dancing!
Actually prefer Bruce Lash's cover.
Original and genuine!
Siouxsie!! {#Dancingbanana}{#Dance}
Siouxie is a sweet cool babe....
{#Whistle}
{#Dancingbanana}{#Bananajumprope}
Ntropy wrote:
Not much better than this! Now Playing: Siouxsie & the Banshees - Cities In Dust
Iron & Wine - Boy With a Coin
K.D. Lang - Constant Craving
Aimee Mann - The Scientist (Live) wow. Who'da thunk that this little set would work so well together?!?!

tonight a slight change:

Siouxsie & the Banshees - Cities In Dust
Goldfrapp - A&E
K.D. Lang - Constant Craving
Aimee Mann - The Scientist (Live)

still works

10
 jpgr69 wrote:
Anybody remember "The Dominatrix Sleeps Tonight"? I have, in my possession, a mix tape I made in high school with 3 versions of it, along with Cities in Dust, Billy Idol's Hot in the City, The Cult's She Sells Sanctuary, Madonna's Everybody... all dance remixes (I seem to remember them being called the 12" versions). How cool was I?
  I don't know, man.....you lost my vote with Billy Idol and Madonna. {#Naughty}

Oh this is good        {#Cowboy}

{#Clap}
This one rocks, no doubt! Old but still hanging in there. {#Dancingbanana_2}

Been awhile since I heard this one...
Does anyone remember Shakespears Sister, I use to listen to them alot. The name of the Cd was Hormonally Yours, Bill this was a great CD. It came out about the same time as this CD.
Ditto!! I did homework to this in High School now while in MBA school. Awesome! joyjoy wrote:
I have to say, you make my staying late at work so much easier with this great lineup. Thanks, RP!
Not much better than this! Now Playing: Siouxsie & the Banshees - Cities In Dust Iron & Wine - Boy With a Coin K.D. Lang - Constant Craving Aimee Mann - The Scientist (Live) wow. Who'da thunk that this little set would work so well together?!?!
YEAH!!!!
joyjoy wrote:
I have to say, you make my staying late at work so much easier with this great lineup. Thanks, RP!
I have to say, you make my staying late at work so much easier with this great lineup. Thanks, RP!
Anybody remember "The Dominatrix Sleeps Tonight"? I have, in my possession, a mix tape I made in high school with 3 versions of it, along with Cities in Dust, Billy Idol's Hot in the City, The Cult's She Sells Sanctuary, Madonna's Everybody... all dance remixes (I seem to remember them being called the 12" versions). How cool was I?
Gasp! Major 80's flashback there. Whoa. Nice, though.
bupanishad2012 wrote:
You can never play this enough! Also, in the "Goth" vein, how about playing "The Sisters of Mercy"
once in awhile, too?
That's a fine idea. I've always missed The Sisters of Mercy on RP.
oppositelock wrote:
............. ? > 10 ....... ...... ....... .......
she's got a new solo album out, too. so far tho i don't like any of those tracks as much as i like this classic.
"Cities In Dust" and "Dazzle" are two very interesting tunes by this group.
You can never play this enough! Also, in the "Goth" vein, how about playing "The Sisters of Mercy"
once in awhile, too?
ROCK on!
Uncle_Fenester wrote:
Right there with ya. Siouxsie is The Goddess.
Took the words right outta my fingertips! 10! (the song too.)
gq wrote:
Oh-uh-oh FrÃŒhstyxradio kills your brain my friend! *sings*
LOL... "FrÃŒhstyxradio" Ich dachte, ich lese nicht richtig. Nachbarschaftliche GrÃŒsse aus der List/Oststadt.^^
Oh-uh-oh FrÃŒhstyxradio kills your brain my friend! *sings*
This is one of my all time favorites!
yea, but she could actually sing.
Wizzuvv_oz wrote:
Gotta give it a 10. Others may argue. What a damn fine tune.
Right there with ya. Siouxsie is The Goddess.
Girlee voice that does not sound like all the rest.