Exquisite Corpse

Bauhaus's 'Exquisite Corpse' is a haunting and surreal exploration of decay, loss, and existential dread. The song's title itself is a reference to a collaborative, chance-based drawing game invented by the Surrealists, which hints at the fragmented and disjointed nature of the lyrics. The phrase 'Life is but a dream' repeated at the beginning sets a tone of ephemeral existence, suggesting that life is fleeting and insubstantial.

The imagery in the song is vivid and unsettling. The description of a corroding, shrinking stalk bereft of its blooms serves as a powerful metaphor for decay and the inevitable decline that follows the peak of beauty and vitality. This is further emphasized by the line 'No king could replenish his state,' indicating that no amount of power or influence can prevent the natural process of deterioration. The repetition of 'a thousand deaths' underscores the relentless and multifaceted nature of this decline.

The narrative then shifts to a character named Terry, who clings to a green army surplus bag, symbolizing a sense of loss and desolation. The coldness and the fading presence of the person beside him amplify the feeling of isolation. The sudden exclamation 'THE SKY'S GONE OUT' can be interpreted as a moment of existential crisis, where the character realizes the vast emptiness and the absence of meaning in the universe. The final 'ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ' could represent the numbing effect of this realization, a descent into a state of numbness or unconsciousness.

'Exquisite Corpse' by Bauhaus is a profound and unsettling reflection on the themes of decay, loss, and existential dread. Its surreal and fragmented lyrics create a powerful atmosphere that resonates with the listener, evoking a sense of unease and contemplation.