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Robyn Hitchcock — Sinister But She Was Happy
Album: Moss Elixir
Avg rating:
6.7

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1228









Released: 1996
Length: 4:03
Plays (last 30 days): 3
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She was sinister but she was happy
Basically she was the Jeanne Moreau type
Sinister but she was happy
Sinister but she was always pleased to see you
And her living words
Were her dying words
She said "Yeah."

She was sinister but she was happy
With a cheery smile and poison blowpipe
Sinister but she was happy
Like a kind of spider half-inclined to free you
Her lopsided grin made it so hard to win
She said:
"Alright you are -- and your promises
Are just promises -- but a sinister little
Wave of a hand goes a long, long way
In these troubled times."

She was sinister but she was happy
And you can't say that of everybody can you?
Sinister but she was happy
Like a chandelier festooned with leeches
And she rolled along
Till she came on strong and she said:
"Alright you are and your promises
just are promises -- but a sinister little
Wave of a hand goes a long, long way
In these troubled times."
Comments (118)add comment
Got to see most of his second set at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass last week.  Worth seeing, 
Posted 1 month ago by bam23    [ Reply ]
Yep...thanks RP
Posted 3 months ago by bluecshells    [ Reply ]
Posted 9 months ago by TallCreative1    [ Reply ]
The extended intro with the violin/bass interplay is sublime stuff.  
Posted 9 months ago by Jayesea    [ Reply ]
Always a fun show! Don't miss out: https://www.robynhitchcock.com...
Posted 10 months ago by chinaski    [ Reply ]
I guess he left the Egyptians back in Cairo?
Posted 10 months ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
 Lazarus wrote:
Everybody in my mushrooming multitude of alien space crafts loves this groovy song...  we love sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll....


Please let me know when your space craft happens to be back near planet Earth again. I'd like to join along if you have room for one more...
Posted 2 years ago by Kajukenbo    [ Reply ]
 gmsingh123 wrote:
I wonder what Robyn has against words that rhyme...
 
I dunno:

Basically she was the Jeanne Moreau type
...
With a cheery smile and poison blowpipe

That seems like a pretty epic slant rhyme to me.

Or:

Sinister but she was always pleased to see you
...
Like a kind of spider half-inclined to free you

About as rhymy as it gets (four syllables even) to warm you up so maybe you'll let this go through as a (big stretch) third slant rhyme in the series:

Like a chandelier festooned with leeches

And really, if you're not willing to let a guy get away with a weird slant rhyme for a chandelier full of leeches, can you really say you're open-minded? 
Posted 3 years ago by danmc    [ Reply ]
Tour Dates currently suspended due to covId-19. Robyn will be live streaming shows on STAGEIT at 8pm CT on Wednesdays and 2pm CT on Fridays for the duration of lockdown. Click on the dates below for show details/tickets.

EVERY WEDNESDAY FOR THE DURATION OF THE PANDEMIC- LIVE ON STAGEIT @8pm CT / 6pm PT/ 9pm ET

EVERY FRIDAY FOR THE DURATION OF THE PANDEMIC- LIVE ON STAGE IT @2pm CT/ 12pm PT/ 3pm ET/ 8pm LONDON TIME
Posted 3 years ago by chinaski    [ Reply ]
Is this song about a left handed hand job?
Posted 4 years ago by sajitjacob    [ Reply ]
I've seen him play in concert here and there over more than 30 years. Always a pleasure. Covid-19 put his US tour on hold and so I have to wait until October to see him at Jammin' Java in Vienna, Va. I thought seeing him play at the Kessler Theater in Dallas four years ago was super because it is such a small place but Jammin' Java is even smaller and so he'll practically be in your lap no matter where you sit at the Java.
Posted 4 years ago by chinaski    [ Reply ]
 the_jake wrote:

Make a fine candlelight dinner into an experience. 
What would be served at such an event?
 

Black pudding and blood sausage?
Posted 5 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
Giving a high rating for using 'festooned' in a tune.
Posted 5 years ago by MrStatenIsle    [ Reply ]
I wonder what Robyn has against words that rhyme...
Posted 5 years ago by gmsingh123    [ Reply ]
Pure brilliance....
Posted 5 years ago by maclochness    [ Reply ]
Now on my list of songs to be played at my funeral, along with Zappa's 'Fine Girl'.  Free bar afterwards
Posted 5 years ago by SpinyNorma    [ Reply ]
 fredriley wrote:
"Like a chandelier festooned with leeches" - that's an image that'll linger long in my imagination... ;-)
 
Make a fine candlelight dinner into an experience. 
What would be served at such an event?
Posted 5 years ago by the_jake    [ Reply ]
Posted 6 years ago by RabbitEars    [ Reply ]
I do love Hitchcock. A unique musician.
Posted 6 years ago by The_Enemy    [ Reply ]
 Larry_Rosenow wrote:
Thought it was a John Lennon song I had never heard....still I am not disappointed.
 

 
Me, too. Still, Hitchcock is a singular talent and presence. Nice song.
Posted 7 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
          Destra Sinistra
Left to wander, right to wonder.
Posted 8 years ago by twoplain2sea    [ Reply ]
 bubink wrote:
Andrew Bird/John Lennon mash up?

 
I think of him as Syd Barrett/Paul McCartney
Posted 8 years ago by Steely_D    [ Reply ]
Everybody in my mushrooming multitude of alien space crafts loves this groovy song...  we love sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll....
Posted 9 years ago by Lazarus    [ Reply ]
cool. haven't heard this in ages. 
Posted 9 years ago by RabbitEars    [ Reply ]
What's that chorus sound like?
Posted 10 years ago by richlister    [ Reply ]
I dated her once. 

What was I thinking?  
Posted 10 years ago by Grammarcop    [ Reply ]
 fredriley wrote:
"Like a chandelier festooned with leeches" - that's an image that'll linger long in my imagination... ;-)

 
Yeah, that one woke me up and made me listen...
Posted 10 years ago by ench    [ Reply ]
This song is top-shelf.
Posted 11 years ago by Rick_V    [ Reply ]
Andrew Bird/John Lennon mash up?
Posted 11 years ago by bubink    [ Reply ]
"Like a chandelier festooned with leeches" - that's an image that'll linger long in my imagination... ;-)
Posted 11 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
Larry_Rosenow wrote:
Thought it was a John Lennon song I had never heard....still I am not disappointed.
 
I think the phrasing, lilt at the end of some lines, vocal timbre, and reverb overkill sound a LOT like the late Mr. Lennon's voice and technique.  Not that I'll judge Mr. Hitchcock by that; he'll have to stand on his own merits.
Posted 11 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
Westerbergy. Or is Westerberg Hitchcocky...?
Posted 11 years ago by jukes1    [ Reply ]
Voice sounds very much like John Lennon.  Song style very much different than - very nice.
Posted 11 years ago by casey1024    [ Reply ]
A slightly more normal song from Robyn :)
do love his lyrical ideas. 
Posted 11 years ago by bb_matt    [ Reply ]
Just saw RH a few days ago. Fantastic show.

I'd love to hear Madonna of the Wasps here occasionally. Just such a fantastic song. Or some of his new album--which is also terrific.
Posted 11 years ago by leafmold    [ Reply ]

Everybody in my church loves this song...
 
Posted 11 years ago by Lazarus    [ Reply ]
Love this
Posted 12 years ago by oldsaxon    [ Reply ]
YES!!
more robyn, please!
Posted 12 years ago by tutakea    [ Reply ]
 Larry_Rosenow wrote:
Thought it was a John Lennon song I had never heard....still I am not disappointed.
 
 
It doesn't sound like a John Lennon tune to me; it has a very different phrasing and tempo than Lennon's work.  This sounds more influenced by traditional British or Celtic folk music.  It is a good tune.
Posted 12 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
Never heard this stuff played anywhere.  Always loved his music (quite prolific) and not sure how I found about it in the pre-internet era.  
Three thumbs up 
Posted 12 years ago by drcrnp    [ Reply ]

More Robyn!!!!!

Soooo glad to hear him. RP does not play him enough. PLEASE play more.


Posted 12 years ago by leafmold    [ Reply ]
Thought it was a John Lennon song I had never heard....still I am not disappointed.
 
Posted 12 years ago by Larry_Rosenow    [ Reply ]
...this is outstanding...
Posted 12 years ago by mandolin    [ Reply ]
 Misterfixit wrote:

We've got leeches in me breeches,
Festooned loons swimming to the Moon;
Life is a chandelier
Bling and blink and wink and then fall;
Flip the switch on the wall.
 
See this one too... Sitting Still by REM

Weird.
I liove them both

Posted 12 years ago by KurtfromLaQuinta    [ Reply ]
 haljordan wrote:
"Right, well, we've got these leftover words here we need to get rid of."
"What do you have?"
"We've got 'chandelier', and 'leeches' (kind of gross) and, let's see...oh and 'festooned'. What do you think?"
"I'll see what I can do." 
 
We've got leeches in me breeches,
Festooned loons swimming to the Moon;
Life is a chandelier
Bling and blink and wink and then fall;
Flip the switch on the wall.


Posted 13 years ago by Misterfixit    [ Reply ]
have i really rated this with 9 the last time i heard it here? what a shame!!
up to 10 now. sorry for the mistake.
Posted 13 years ago by tutakea    [ Reply ]
Vastly underrated artist!
Posted 13 years ago by misterbearbaby    [ Reply ]
 haljordan wrote:
"Right, well, we've got these leftover words here we need to get rid of."
"What do you have?"
"We've got 'chandelier', and 'leeches' (kind of gross) and, let's see...oh and 'festooned'. What do you think?"
"I'll see what I can do." 
 
Some of my best friends...
Posted 13 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
"Right, well, we've got these leftover words here we need to get rid of."
"What do you have?"
"We've got 'chandelier', and 'leeches' (kind of gross) and, let's see...oh and 'festooned'. What do you think?"
"I'll see what I can do." 
Posted 13 years ago by haljordan    [ Reply ]
Got to see him perform this in Hoboken, NJ few years back, and Deni Bonet came on and played violin - outstanding!

Posted 13 years ago by maclochness    [ Reply ]
From one of my favorite solo Robyn Hitchcock records. I'd love to hear Bill play some of his work with The Venus 3. That last one was excellent.
Posted 13 years ago by citizenkeith    [ Reply ]
In a way,that reminded me of The Wonder Stuff, with the violin and acoustic guitar.
Posted 14 years ago by spyboy1    [ Reply ]
That Master Robyn - he's not for everyone, obviously, but I love his stuff both solo and with The Soft Boys.

Posted 14 years ago by paulmack    [ Reply ]
I love that wild violin beginning, and then the vocals... definite 8, but the more I listen, the more I love it, so...........{#Sunny}
Posted 14 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
No it´s not his best song. It´s not even one of his best songs....
Which doesn´t mean that it´s not a GREAT song. But I´m in a critical mood today and give only 9 pts.

Posted 14 years ago by tutakea    [ Reply ]

Robyn Hitchcock by ~MrTim
©2007-2010 ~MrTim

Robin Hitchcock at Wychwood Festival 2007

Posted 14 years ago by calypsus_1    [ Reply ]
I think Robyn Hitchcock's music is in the vein of Sid Barrett.  Brilliant and under rated.
Posted 14 years ago by More_Cowbell    [ Reply ]
 donmatthews wrote:
I really liked the instrumental introduction, thought this would be something really special... then the guy started singing and it became just another fair-but-not-wow song
a pity
 
My thoughts exactly
Posted 14 years ago by cvandoren    [ Reply ]
 jmce wrote:

But Suck squared = 2 Suck for Suck in {0,2}.
 

Yes.  The proof is left as an exercise for the reader.
Posted 15 years ago by Hannio    [ Reply ]

I've seen Robyn a few times, both solo and with The Soft Boys - all in the past decade - excellent performances each time, I thought. He's also quite humble and seemed happy to talk the next day when we ran into him in a local record store.....



Posted 15 years ago by paulmack    [ Reply ]
Amazing segue from Sophie Solomon. {#Clap}
Posted 15 years ago by cayenne    [ Reply ]
 Exene wrote:


Brilliant!! I love Robyn. I miss Robyn. Where is he? I would dearly love to hear his "Airscape" on RP...
 
I just saw him this past Friday at Antone's in Austin with his latest band the Venus 3 with Peter Buck playing backing guitar.
Posted 15 years ago by Bat    [ Reply ]
 veloceleste wrote:
Sarah Palin?

She was sinister but she was happy
And you can't say that of everybody can you?
Sinister but she was happy
Like a chandelier festooned with leeches
And she rolled along
Till she came on strong and she said:
"Alright you are and your promises
just are promises — but a sinister little
Wave of a hand goes a long, long way
In these troubled times."

 
Sounds alot like my ex-wife grouch...

Posted 15 years ago by Oscar_the_Grouch    [ Reply ]
 veloceleste wrote:
Sarah Palin?

She was sinister but she was happy
And you can't say that of everybody can you?
Sinister but she was happy
Like a chandelier festooned with leeches
And she rolled along
Till she came on strong and she said:
"Alright you are and your promises
just are promises — but a sinister little
Wave of a hand goes a long, long way
In these troubled times."

 

Brilliant!! I love Robyn. I miss Robyn. Where is he? I would dearly love to hear his "Airscape" on RP...
Posted 15 years ago by Exene    [ Reply ]
Sarah Palin?

She was sinister but she was happy
And you can't say that of everybody can you?
Sinister but she was happy
Like a chandelier festooned with leeches
And she rolled along
Till she came on strong and she said:
"Alright you are and your promises
just are promises — but a sinister little
Wave of a hand goes a long, long way
In these troubled times."

Posted 16 years ago by veloceleste    [ Reply ]
I really liked the instrumental introduction, thought this would be something really special... then the guy started singing and it became just another fair-but-not-wow song
a pity

Posted 16 years ago by donmatthews    [ Reply ]
trekhead wrote:
Man. I thought HOLY DEVIL was the lead-in for this tune! Good combo, Bill!
Jupp Great segue, And a good title. =)
Posted 16 years ago by Frater_Kork    [ Reply ]
Man. I thought HOLY DEVIL was the lead-in for this tune! Good combo, Bill!
Posted 16 years ago by trekhead    [ Reply ]
Memories from back in the day as an underground DJ.
Posted 16 years ago by rbigelo    [ Reply ]
This guy is really interesting...
Posted 17 years ago by Shesdifferent    [ Reply ]
SaintAwesome wrote:
He needs to drop the John Lennon imitation. I like the music... but it needs to go somewhere more.
My son walked into the kitchen, and said "Is this the Beatles?". My wife said, "Nah, too much acoustic guitars for the Beatles. John isn't that complex!" Me chokin on my hash browns with laughter! Cool song. Voice reminds me of the Church. 7 for now.
Posted 17 years ago by horstman    [ Reply ]
Helchat, is this about you? Sinister, but happy?
Posted 17 years ago by MickMan    [ Reply ]
Funniest thing: I just watched the recent film of The Manchurian Candidate and didn't realize til the credits that Robyn Hitchcock played Tokar. Hmm.
Posted 17 years ago by Antigone    [ Reply ]
Zoink! There it is! This seque cements it... I was at ACL fest watching the Decemberists and I told my companion, "man, that singer reminds me of Robin Hitchcock". Glad to see Bill hears the connection too.
Posted 17 years ago by Buzzardcheater    [ Reply ]
handyrae wrote:
I was really liking this until he started to sing. Not that the singing/lyrics are bad or anything, just that they're not that special.
Hmm, strangely I agree. I was really into the music. Wonderful musician.
Posted 17 years ago by MylenerHead    [ Reply ]
I was really liking this until he started to sing. Not that the singing/lyrics are bad or anything, just that they're not that special.
Posted 17 years ago by handyrae    [ Reply ]
Rafter101 wrote:
C'mon, what's with the math? Suck x Suck = Suck Squared. Suck + Suck only equals 2Suck.
But Suck squared = 2 Suck for Suck in {0,2}.
Posted 17 years ago by jmce    [ Reply ]
Good tune.
Posted 17 years ago by slowhand    [ Reply ]
Carly wrote:
Love the instrumental work in the background. I'm interested to know what it's like in his other songs -
Primarily his instruments are acoustic/electric guitar based- with the Egyptians - Bass & Drums. The guitar work is always amazing, the lyrics mostly surreal, and the The Eqyptians are pros!
Posted 18 years ago by ecocommie    [ Reply ]
Love the instrumental work in the background. I'm interested to know what it's like in his other songs -
Posted 18 years ago by Carly    [ Reply ]
crockydile wrote:
...a chandelier festooned with leeches? --Metaphor quota exceeded: Terminating--
Really! The next time I see a chandelier, I know EXACTLY what I will be thinking. Ugh.
Posted 18 years ago by AlienRelic    [ Reply ]
...a chandelier festooned with leeches? --Metaphor quota exceeded: Terminating--
Posted 18 years ago by crockydile    [ Reply ]
He needs to drop the John Lennon imitation. I like the music... but it needs to go somewhere more.
Posted 18 years ago by SaintAwesome    [ Reply ]
Rafter101 wrote:
C'mon, what's with the math? Suck x Suck = Suck Squared. Suck + Suck only equals 2Suck.
Thanks for the mathematics tutorial, I appreciate it. I guess I only know 'suck' when I hear 'suck' ....peace
Posted 18 years ago by crowhog2000    [ Reply ]
crowhog2000 wrote:
Excellent! Suck + Suck = Suck squared! It beats sucking solo, eh?
C'mon, what's with the math? Suck x Suck = Suck Squared. Suck + Suck only equals 2Suck.
Posted 18 years ago by Rafter101    [ Reply ]
Helchat wrote:
Shoot, I missed hearing this song! And what a great title!
You didn't miss anything remarkable believe me
Posted 18 years ago by crowhog2000    [ Reply ]
beag wrote:
Robyn's got a new album out on which he teams up Gillian Welch!
Excellent! Suck + Suck = Suck squared! It beats sucking solo, eh?
Posted 18 years ago by crowhog2000    [ Reply ]
Shoot, I missed hearing this song! And what a great title!
Posted 19 years ago by Helchat    [ Reply ]
kazuma wrote:
Same here. Amazing sequencing.
I agree that they blended well, but I could tell the point at which the new song started becuase it stopped sucking.
Posted 19 years ago by Jerry_Scott    [ Reply ]
trekhead wrote:
..Again, could NOT tell where the previous tune ended....
Same here. Amazing sequencing.
Posted 19 years ago by kazuma    [ Reply ]
Same guitarsound James McMurtry has got in Levelland! I like it. Nice, open atmosphere, but penatatrive just the same.
Posted 19 years ago by Johray63    [ Reply ]
On this album...Tim Keegan made some great backup vocal support and the violin is Demi Bonet
Posted 19 years ago by cycleman    [ Reply ]
..Again, could NOT tell where the previous tune ended....
Posted 19 years ago by trekhead    [ Reply ]
Robyn's got a new album out on which he teams up Gillian Welch!
Posted 20 years ago by beag    [ Reply ]
Excellent violin playing....
Posted 20 years ago by Talalala    [ Reply ]
Ah, Robyn is a god. But this is not him at his best.
Posted 20 years ago by drH    [ Reply ]
Oh how I love Robyn. I don't hear him everyday. How wonderful! He's so beautiful.
Posted 20 years ago by fifismom    [ Reply ]
Sound a lot like John Lennon
Posted 20 years ago by michaelc    [ Reply ]
la-hove this song!
Posted 20 years ago by blkstd    [ Reply ]
Robyn is the best....he channels the best of Syd, John Lennon and other greats. I've seen him at least 7 times from Hoboken, to London in early 80's (accoustic 3-some-Trams of Old London wow!) The best might have been the live (all 80 of us) at the filming of Storefront Hitchcock (NYC). If you have not seen him live rent this video(if you can) made by J. Demme. Go RP!!!!!
Posted 20 years ago by cycleman    [ Reply ]
Reminds me of Wire, quirky too... Nice song!
Posted 20 years ago by R_P    [ Reply ]
Best song title I have heard in a long time....
Posted 21 years ago by Keiger    [ Reply ]
Now it has been a long, long time since I heard any radio station play Robyn Hitchcock and the Egyptians. Robyn Hitchcock has often been criticized for being too quirky. I rather think this is his strength.
Posted 22 years ago by drife    [ Reply ]
All Robyn\'s pieces similar to this are like passionate love songs in an alternate universe that only shares some of its idiosyncratic idioms with ours.
Posted 22 years ago by BC_Night_Heron    [ Reply ]