Desert Kisses

Siouxsie And The Banshees' song 'Desert Kisses' is a haunting exploration of isolation, existential dread, and the relentless passage of time. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a desolate landscape where the protagonist is engulfed by the sands of time and the unyielding grip of nature. The recurring imagery of 'desert kisses' and 'tidal fingers' suggests a sense of being overwhelmed and consumed by forces beyond one's control. This can be interpreted as a metaphor for the inescapable nature of life's challenges and the feeling of being trapped in a cycle of stillness and motion.

The song's references to 'cancer crab' and 'sinking down' evoke a sense of inevitable decay and decline. The 'cancer crab' could symbolize the creeping nature of illness or misfortune, slowly taking hold and spreading its influence. The repeated motif of 'sinking down' emphasizes a descent into despair and hopelessness, as the protagonist feels themselves being pulled deeper into a state of inertia and silence. The juxtaposition of movement ('running on the moving ground') with the stillness of 'still life motion' highlights the paradox of feeling stuck despite the passage of time.

The lyrics also touch on themes of loneliness and unfulfilled desires. The lines 'I kissed your face, I kissed the sand / I heard you sigh, there was no sound' convey a sense of longing and unreciprocated affection. The protagonist's attempts to connect and create commotion are met with silence and stillness, reinforcing their sense of isolation. The song's closing lines, 'Sinking down, the world was round / There was no-one around,' encapsulate the feeling of being alone in a vast, indifferent universe. Siouxsie And The Banshees masterfully blend poetic imagery with a melancholic tone to create a powerful reflection on the human condition.