LogFAQs > #956868294

58. Pixies Hey (1989)
from the album Doolittle

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVCUAXOBF7w

Key lyrics:
Were chained

While Pixies covered a lot of stylistic ground, their signature sound typically involved mixing quiet and loud sequences. Hey is thus one of those odd tracks that is unusual in its ordinary structure. But this is not a case of a band momentarily shedding their own sound to try something new what Hey lacks in aggression is made up by Black Franciss bizarre delivery. This is a love song through a corrupted lens.

Instrumentally, Hey is a smooth, low tempo track dominated by a groovy bassline. Much of the sound is sparse, the drums not coming in until the first verse closes. The guitar begins to wail partway through the chorus, a domineering sound that does more to amp up the tension than the volume. The following section uses quiet space perfectly, the signature bassline left with nothing but a soft cymbal patter. The understated guitar solo that follows sets up Black Francis to delve into a poignant bout of Pixies oddity. He grunts his way through several sexual encounters, connecting that grunt to a mother giving birth. It paints a desperately depressing picture of a loveless yet functioning relationship.

Most striking is the chorus, the way it uses a single phrase and lets it simmer to a boiling point. At first, Black Francis sings alone, stressing the syllables of chained several different ways. Kim Deal begins to echo that word, but in a simple monotone. Combined with the wailing guitar, these two words start to ooze with emotion. Pixies off-kilter delivery helps sell the grimy nature of love in stagnation.

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My top 100 games (with write-ups): https://foolfantastic.com/top-100-video-games-project/