Album: Violet Cries (2011)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is the opening track from English three-piece gothic rock band Esben & The Witch's debut album, Violet Cries. The song is about the medical condition Argyria, which is caused by excessive exposure to silver. Daniel Copeman from the band explained to Spin magazine: "We're drawn to oddities. Argyria is such an interesting disease because it's born of human folly."
  • Copeman explained the band's name in the same interview: "'Esben and the Witch' is a Danish fairy tale we stumbled across. We like the way [fables] were used as moral compasses."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

David Clayton-Thomas of Blood, Sweat & Tears

David Clayton-Thomas of Blood, Sweat & TearsSongwriter Interviews

The longtime BS&T frontman tells the "Spinning Wheel" story, including the line he got from Joni Mitchell.

Second Wind Songs

Second Wind SongsSong Writing

Some songs get a second life when they find a new audience through a movie, commercial, TV show, or even the Internet.

Adam Duritz of Counting Crows

Adam Duritz of Counting CrowsSongwriter Interviews

"Mr. Jones" took on new meaning when the song about a misguided view of fame made Adam famous.

Matt Sorum

Matt SorumSongwriter Interviews

When he joined Guns N' Roses in 1990, Matt helped them craft an orchestral sound; his mezzo fortes and pianissimos are all over "November Rain."

Millie Jackson

Millie JacksonSongwriter Interviews

Outrageously gifted and just plain outrageous, Millie is an R&B and Rap innovator.

Ian Astbury of The Cult

Ian Astbury of The CultSongwriter Interviews

The Cult frontman tells who the "Fire Woman" is, and talks about performing with the new version of The Doors.