Lucretia My Reflection

Album: Floodland (1987)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The third single from the goth rock band's second studio album is about the fall of an empire and the aftermath of war. The title refers to Lucretia Borgia of the prominent Borgia family of the Italian Renaissance, who were notorious for their ruthless political tactics and alleged crimes.

    Lucretia herself is often cited as a murderer with a penchant for poison. Lead singer Andrew Eldritch wrote the track for bandmate Patricia Morrison (bass), who "always strikes me as a Lucrezia [Borgia]-type person."
  • The lyrics "once a railroad, now it's done" are a reference to "Brother, Can You Spare A Dime," a 1932 song about the disastrous effect the Great Depression had on the American way of life.
  • The American punk rock band Alkaline Trio covered this on the 2005 album The Suicide Girls: Black Heart Retrospective.
  • This wasn't the first time the name "Lucretia" appeared in a song: Blood, Sweat & Tears used it in their 1970 track "Lucretia Mac Evil" - although without the historical reference. Megadeth also has a song called "Lucretia."

Comments: 1

  • T from TxI believe this song refers to the roman noble woman lucretia who was raped and Her Subsequent suicide caused the rebellion that changed the empire to a republic.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Best Band Logos

Best Band LogosSong Writing

Queen, Phish and The Stones are among our picks for the best band logos. Here are their histories and a design analysis from an expert.

Gavin Rossdale On Lyric Inspirations and Bush's Album The Kingdom

Gavin Rossdale On Lyric Inspirations and Bush's Album The KingdomSongwriter Interviews

The Bush frontman on where he finds inspiration for lyrics, if his "machine head" is a guitar tuner, and the stories behind songs from the album The Kingdom.

Jonathan Edwards - "Sunshine"

Jonathan Edwards - "Sunshine"They're Playing My Song

"How much does it cost? I'll buy it?" Another songwriter told Jonathan to change these lyrics. Good thing he ignored this advice.

Sam Hollander

Sam HollanderSongwriter Interviews

The hitmaking songwriter/producer Sam Hollander with stories about songs for Weezer, Panic! At The Disco, Train, Pentatonix, and Fitz And The Tantrums.

"Private Eyes" - The Story Behind the Song

"Private Eyes" - The Story Behind the SongSong Writing

How a goofy detective movie, a disenchanted director and an unlikely songwriter led to one of the biggest hits in pop history.

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17Songwriter Interviews

Martyn talks about producing Tina Turner, some Heaven 17 hits, and his work with the British Electric Foundation.