Pandemonium

Album: Pandemonium (1994)
Charted: 28
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The word "pandemonium" was coined by the English author John Milton and published in his 1667 story Paradise Lost, where the center of hell is called "Pandaemonium." The word is derived from the Greek "pan," meaning "hell," and daimon, meaning "demon."

    This sinister etymology drew Killing Joke lead singer Jaz Coleman to the word, which has a sound an meaning that intrigued him. "We were getting really into the chaos theory, and it was the beginning of the multiverse, and discussing wonderful ideas like this," he said in his Songfacts interview. "And of course, we met lots of scientists and thinkers at that time."
  • With tribal rhythms and big, expected flourishes, the Killing Joke sound fits the definition of "pandemonium," which is why they used it as the title of the album.
  • This song describes a conversation with a wise woman who values beauty over longevity. The video plays up this storyline and is meant to show the importance of women in society. It takes place in a desert landscape, where various family members are seen holding (and possibly breast-feeding) a baby.

    Mark Waldie produced the clip.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Gary LeVox

Gary LeVoxSongwriter Interviews

On "Life Is A Highway," his burgeoning solo career, and the Rascal Flatts song he most connects with.

Weird Al Yankovic

Weird Al YankovicFact or Fiction

Did Al play on a Beach Boys record? Did he have beef with George Lucas and Coolio? See if you can spot weird but true stories.

The Police

The PoliceFact or Fiction

Do their first three albums have French titles? Is "De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da" really meaningless? See if you can tell in this Fact or Fiction.

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & Fire

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & FireSongwriter Interviews

The longtime bassist of Earth, Wind & Fire discusses how his band came to do a holiday album, and offers insight into some of the greatest dance/soul tunes of all-time.

Kim Thayil of Soundgarden

Kim Thayil of SoundgardenSongwriter Interviews

Their frontman (Chris Cornell) started out as their drummer, so Soundgarden takes a linear approach when it comes to songwriting. Kim explains how they do it.

Is That Song Public Domain?

Is That Song Public Domain?Fact or Fiction

Are classic songs like "Over The Rainbow" and "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" in the public domain?