Santiago Cuatro

Album: Barbara Barbara, We Face a Shining Future (2016)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Speaking about the song and the Barbara Barbara album to Consequence of Sound, Underworld's Karl Hyde said: "This is a record that's split into two sections, with a divider in the middle, 'Santiago Cuatro.' They are all quintessentially Underworld.

    For me, what happens in those first two tracks, 'I Exhale' and 'If Rah,' is I see those visually. I always see those tracks as someone laying down the Eiffel Tower on its side and cutting it up into these shards of rhythmic steel. And when you get to this moment of 'Santiago Cuatro,' you can step back, take a moment, then come through this doorway and travel around on this vast, sunlit plane."
  • The album title came from Rick Smith's father, who passed away in 2015. Karl Hyde told Spin: "Toward the end of his life, Rick's father was talking to Rick's mother - her name is Barbara - reassuring her that everything's going to be okay. That they had a bright future. 'Barbara, Barbara, we face a shining future.' To reassure her. When I heard Rick say that... I just said to him, 'That's the title.'

    I don't think he realized the extent to which I wasn't going to back down. He came up with a few more titles, and I just sort of [responded,] 'Are you mad? Why are you wasting your time talking to me about this? That's the title!'"

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Queen

QueenFact or Fiction

Scaramouch, a hoople and a superhero soundtrack - see if you can spot the real Queen stories.

John Lee Hooker

John Lee HookerSongwriter Interviews

Into the vaults for Bruce Pollock's 1984 conversation with the esteemed bluesman. Hooker talks about transforming a Tony Bennett classic and why you don't have to be sad and lonely to write the blues.

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"They're Playing My Song

Chris and his wife Tina were the rhythm section for Talking Heads when they formed The Tom Tom Club. "Genius of Love" was their blockbuster, but David Byrne only mentioned it once.

Adele

AdeleFact or Fiction

Despite her reticent personality, Adele's life and music are filled with intrigue. See if you can spot the true tales.

Actors With Hit Songs

Actors With Hit SongsMusic Quiz

Many actors have attempted music, but only a few have managed a hit. Do you know which of these thespians charted?

Frankie Valli

Frankie ValliSong Writing

An interview with Frankie Valli, who talks about why his songs - both solo and with The Four Seasons - have endured, and reflects on his time as Rusty Millio on The Sopranos.