| "Christine" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Siouxsie and the Banshees | ||||
| from the album Kaleidoscope | ||||
| B-side | "Eve White, Eve Black" | |||
| Released | 30 May 1980 | |||
| Recorded | 1980 | |||
| Genre | Post-punk | |||
| Length | 3:00 | |||
| Label | Polydor | |||
| Songwriter(s) | ||||
| Producer(s) |
| |||
| Siouxsie and the Banshees singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Official video | ||||
| "Christine" on YouTube | ||||
"Christine" is a song by English rock band Siouxsie and the Banshees, written by Siouxsie Sioux and Steven Severin. It was released in 1980 by Polydor as the second single from the then-unreleased third album, Kaleidoscope. The title of said album also comes from a lyric in "Christine".
Content, music video and release
"Christine" marked a change in musical direction for the band, with new guitarist John McGeoch. The song begins with a distinctive riff played on an acoustic guitar. The post-chorus instrumentation includes electronic organ. The close of the song utilizes a strong flanging effect. The lyrics were inspired by the book The Three Faces of Eve which related the story of Christine Sizemore, a woman who reportedly had 22 different personalities. [1]
The B-side, "Eve White/Eve Black", continues with the theme. Bassist Steven Severin stated in the liner notes for Downside Up: "Again a companion piece to the A side 'Christine'. Eve White and Eve Black were two of Christine Sizemore's more extraordinary personalities, constantly at war." [2]
The band shot a music video for the song with director Clive Richardson, another music video was filmed on the same set for the song " Red Light". [3] Neither featured McGeoch as he was not an artist signed on Polydor yet. [1]
"Christine" was released as a single on 30 May 1980. It peaked at number 22 in the UK Singles Chart. [4]
Cover versions
The song was covered by Red Hot Chili Peppers with John Frusciante on guitar at their V2001 Festival performance, [5] and by Simple Minds on the deluxe edition of their Graffiti Soul album in 2009.
Track listing
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Christine" | 2:57 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Eve White / Eve Black" | 3:04 |
References
- ^ a b Johns, Brian (1989). Entranced: The Siouxsie and the Banshees Story. Omnibus Press. ISBN 0-7119-1773-6.
- ^ "Downside Up by Siouxsie and the Banshees" Booklet- CD Box set. Universal 982 182-3. 2004.
- ^ "Red Light" by Siouxsie and the Banshees - Music Video". Vevo official on YouTube. Retrieved 20 June 2022.
- ^ "Siouxsie & the Banshees [uk charts]". officialcharts.com. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
- ^ "saunalahti.fi" (Red Hot Chili Peppers' site) Archived 7 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine. setlist of the Red Hot Chili Peppers' concert performing "Christine" at the V2001 festival
