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Christine (Siouxsie and the Banshees song)

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"Christine"
Single by Siouxsie and the Banshees
from the album Kaleidoscope
B-side"Eve White, Eve Black"
Released30 May 1980
Recorded1980
GenrePost-punk
Length3:00
LabelPolydor
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Siouxsie and the Banshees singles chronology
"Happy House"
(1980)
"Christine"
(1980)
"Israel"
(1981)
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

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"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

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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

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Side A
No.TitleLength
1."Christine"2:57
Side B
No.TitleLength
1."Eve White / Eve Black"3:04

References

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  1. ^ a b Johns, Brian (1989). Entranced: The Siouxsie and the Banshees Story. Omnibus Press. ISBN 0-7119-1773-6.
  2. ^ "Downside Up by Siouxsie and the Banshees" Booklet- CD Box set. Universal 982 182-3. 2004.
  3. ^ "Red Light" by Siouxsie and the Banshees - Music Video". Vevo official on YouTube. Retrieved 20 June 2022.
  4. ^ "Siouxsie & the Banshees [uk charts]". officialcharts.com. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
  5. ^ "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