Cities In Dust

Album: Tinderbox (1985)
Charted: 21
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song describes the fate of the city of Pompeii, buried during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. It is one of Siouxsie and the Banshees' most recognized songs. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Mitch - Columbia, SC
  • "That was really inspired by a visit to Pompeii," frontwoman Siouxsie Sioux told Creem. "There's quite a lot of tourism there, but the place itself transcends all that. You can think you're the only person there. It's quite immense, and at the end of the day, seeing the petrified bodies, it had a strong effect on me. The song was written, the music was written, when we got back from Italy, I wrote the lyrics. It was dedicated to one of the petrified bodies. It almost looked as if there was someone underneath this kind of plaster cover. I almost expected it to get up and move."
  • This has been used in a number of TV series, including:

    The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel ("Vote for Kennedy, Vote for Kennedy" - 2018)
    13 Reasons Why ("Smile, Bitches," "The Missing Page" - 2018)
    The Carrie Diaries ("Kiss Yesterday Goodbye" - 2013)
    Gossip Girl ("Woman on the Verge" - 2008)
    The L Word ("Lesbians Gone Wild" - 2008)
    NCIS ("Trojan Horse" - 2007)
    Gilmore Girls ("One's Got Class and the Other One Dyes" - 2002)

    It also shows up in these movies:

    Atomic Blonde (2017)
    Califórnia (2015)
    Grosse Pointe Blank (1997)
    Out of Bounds (1986)
  • Garbage covered this for their four-song 12" Witness to Your Love EP, a vinyl exclusive Record Store Day release on April 22, 2023. They made the EP, which also features two outtakes from the No Gods No Masters sessions, available to streaming services a week later.

Comments: 3

  • 22ht8tk22 from UkI always thought it was about cocaine, but ive never actually fully paid attention to the lyrics tbf
  • Moosehead from Scsomehow i missed this one when it came out, although it was right in my wheelhouse. heard it in the GPB movie and had to search to find it. much harder in the 90s than today! top 10 all time!
  • Tony from San DiegoAbsolutely love this song !!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Psychedelic Lyrics

Psychedelic LyricsMusic Quiz

Whoa man! Do you know which band came up with these cosmic lyrics?

Chris Fehn of Slipknot

Chris Fehn of SlipknotSongwriter Interviews

A drummer for one of the most successful metal bands of the last decade, Chris talks about what it's like writing and performing with Slipknot. Metal-neck is a factor.

U2

U2Fact or Fiction

How did The Edge get his name? Did they name a song after a Tolkien book? And who is "Angel of Harlem" about?

Gary Brooker of Procol Harum

Gary Brooker of Procol HarumSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer and pianist for Procol Harum, Gary talks about finding the musical ideas to match the words.

Mike Rutherford (Genesis, Mike + The Mechanics)

Mike Rutherford (Genesis, Mike + The Mechanics)Songwriter Interviews

Mike Rutherford talks about the "Silent Running" storyline and "Land Of Confusion" in the age of Trump.

Dr. John

Dr. JohnSongwriter Interviews

The good doctor shares some candid insights on recording with Phil Spector and The Black Keys.