Sacred Trickster

Album: The Eternal (2009)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This was the opening track of the New York alternative rock band Sonic Youth's 16th studio album. It was their first release for three years, marking the longest period in between studio albums to date by the band. It was also their first record since Pavement bassist Mark Ibold joined the band.
  • The band explained in publicity materials that on this hardcore track, Kim Gordon sings, "salutes to French painter Yves Klein and Western Massachusetts noise artist Noise Nomads."
  • The Eternal debuted at #18 on the Billboard 200 survey, giving Sonic Youth their best ever album chart position. Their previous highest peak had been the #34 slot that Experimental Jet Set, Trash and No Star reached in 1994.
  • The music video seems to be a homage to the 1966 film The Battle of Algiers, which was based on the Algerian war. One scene depicted three FLN women disguising themselves in French fashion in order to plant bombs disguised as purses in the French colonial sector of Algiers. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Julian - Kahnawake, QC

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Ed Roland of Collective Soul

Ed Roland of Collective SoulSongwriter Interviews

The stories behind "Shine," "December," "The World I Know" and other Collective Soul hits.

Jon Foreman of Switchfoot

Jon Foreman of SwitchfootSongwriter Interviews

Switchfoot's frontman and main songwriter on what inspires the songs and how he got the freedom to say exactly what he means.

Matthew Wilder - "Break My Stride"

Matthew Wilder - "Break My Stride"They're Playing My Song

Wilder's hit "Break My Stride" had an unlikely inspiration: a famous record mogul who rejected it.

Jesus In Pop Hits: The Gospel Songs That Went Mainstream

Jesus In Pop Hits: The Gospel Songs That Went MainstreamSong Writing

These overtly religious songs crossed over to the pop charts, despite resistance from fans, and in many cases, churches.

Gary LeVox

Gary LeVoxSongwriter Interviews

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

Timothy B. Schmit

Timothy B. SchmitSongwriter Interviews

The longtime Eagle talks about soaring back to his solo career, and what he learned about songwriting in the group.