The theme for this week’s Song Lyric Sunday, a prompt from the lovely Helen Espinosa, (find her post here and join in today! https://helenespinosa.wordpress.com/2016/10/30/song-lyric-sunday-the-devil-in-i-by-slipknot/ ) is “scary.” The song I’ve chosen isn’t really scary, as such, but it’s about as Goth as you can get.
Originally written and recorded by Siouxsie and the Banshees in 1986, Cities In Dust may arguably be one of the most popular Goth songs of all time. Still haven’t heard it? Well here’s your chance.
I’m so excited to be able to share with you The Mortal’s cover of the song. Sakurai Atsushi, the vocalist, translated the verses into Japanese for his version of it. In my opinion, the arrangement of the song is even better than the original. Add to that the fact that I WAS ACTUALLY AT THE CONCERT in the video:
and it’s even more awesome. The video was filmed at the NHK Hall in Tokyo, in November, 2015.
Here’s the video (subbed in English), and below are the lyrics.
Courtesy of A-Z Lyrics:
Cities In Dust
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
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
But oh, your city lies in dust, my friend
Your city lies in dust
Water was running, children were running
We found you hiding, we found you lying
Water was running, children were running
We found you hiding, we found you lying
Your city lies in dust, my friend
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 oh, your city lies in dust, my friend
Oh, your city lies in dust, my friend
Oh, your city lies in dust, my friend
Oh, your city lies in dust, my friend
Your city lies in dust, my friend
Oh, your city lies in dust, my friend…
October 30, 2016 at 6:47 pm
Wow, very haunting and chilling. I love his voice so much! Thanks so much for sharing this with us! 😀
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November 3, 2016 at 8:49 pm
Thanks again for the prompt, Helen. 🙂 Glad you liked the song!
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October 30, 2016 at 2:39 pm
Thanks for stopping by and following! I find Song Lyric Sunday is a great medium for meeting new bloggers as well as finding new (and perhaps old favorite) songs.
Anyway, I was born a year later than this song came out but this song has always been a favorite of mine. For whatever reason I’ve always enjoyed British bands (from the first and second British invasions). It’s a neat song but also very haunting and chilling.
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October 30, 2016 at 2:43 pm
Thank you too! 🙂 I agree, it’s very haunting. I get the chorus stuck in my head for a while every time I listen to it.
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