Cities in Dust
Encyclopedia
"Cities in Dust" is a song written and produced by British rock band Siouxsie and the Banshees. It was released as the first single from their seventh studio album Tinderbox
in 1985. The "Cities in Dust" 12-inch single
was the first Banshees' single-release in the United States, through Geffen Records
.
, destroyed in a volcanic eruption in 79AD. Imagery describing the volcano and its magma chamber, the condition of the victims of the eruption, and the subsequent discovery and excavation of the city comprises the bulk of the lyrics.
"Cities in Dust" was a more post-punk
affair than singles released by Siouxsie & the Banshees in the previous several years. It also had more of a pop music
melody than past releases from the band, although its cryptic lyrics were still dark, mentioning a shrine to Lares Familiares
. Its upbeat 4/4 rhythm also made it a hit in danceclubs. "Cities in Dust" peaked at number twenty-one in the UK singles chart
. Although not Siouxsie & the Banshees' first song to hit the U.S. Hot Dance Club Play
chart, it was their first significant hit, climbing to number seventeen.
with Lauren Rocket
in 2008 as it was released as a single off the Booming Back at You
album. The cover appears on soundtrack for the racing video game Burnout Paradise
. "Cities in Dust" was also revisited by Brazil
ian band Pato Fu
, for their album Daqui Pro Futuro
in 2007 and the song was performed live by The Start in 2008.
Tinderbox (Siouxsie album)
Tinderbox is the seventh studio album released by the English alternative rock band Siouxsie and the Banshees. It was the first effort recorded with new guitarist John Valentine Carruthers...
in 1985. The "Cities in Dust" 12-inch single
12-inch single
The 12-inch single is a type of gramophone record that has wider groove spacing compared to other types of records. This allows for louder levels to be cut on the disc by the cutting engineer, which in turn gives a wider dynamic range, and thus better sound quality...
was the first Banshees' single-release in the United States, through Geffen Records
Geffen Records
Geffen Records is an American record label, owned by Universal Music Group, and operated as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-Beginnings:...
.
History
The song obliquely describes the city of PompeiiPompeii
The city of Pompeii is a partially buried Roman town-city near modern Naples in the Italian region of Campania, in the territory of the comune of Pompei. Along with Herculaneum, Pompeii was destroyed and completely buried during a long catastrophic eruption of the volcano Mount Vesuvius spanning...
, destroyed in a volcanic eruption in 79AD. Imagery describing the volcano and its magma chamber, the condition of the victims of the eruption, and the subsequent discovery and excavation of the city comprises the bulk of the lyrics.
"Cities in Dust" was a more post-punk
Post-punk
Post-punk is a rock music movement with its roots in the late 1970s, following on the heels of the initial punk rock explosion of the mid-1970s. The genre retains its roots in the punk movement but is more introverted, complex and experimental...
affair than singles released by Siouxsie & the Banshees in the previous several years. It also had more of a pop music
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
melody than past releases from the band, although its cryptic lyrics were still dark, mentioning a shrine to Lares Familiares
Lares Familiares
Lares Familiares were household tutelary deities of ancient Roman religion. The singular form is Lar Familiaris....
. Its upbeat 4/4 rhythm also made it a hit in danceclubs. "Cities in Dust" peaked at number twenty-one in the UK singles chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
. Although not Siouxsie & the Banshees' first song to hit the U.S. Hot Dance Club Play
Hot Dance Club Play
The Hot Dance Club Songs chart is a weekly national survey of the songs that are most popular in U.S. dance clubs...
chart, it was their first significant hit, climbing to number seventeen.
Cover versions
"Cities in Dust" was covered by electronic artist Junkie XLJunkie XL
Tom Holkenborg , better known as Junkie XL or JXL, is a Dutch musician. He uses the name JXL in cases where the term "Junkie" might cause offense. XL is for "Xpanding Limits"....
with Lauren Rocket
Rocket (band)
Rocket is an all-girl pop-punk band from Los Angeles, California.-Members:Current members* Lauren Rocket- Vocals* Lauren C. Rocket- Guitar, Backing vocals* Peaches Rocket- Guitar* Kristen Rocket- Bass* CC Rocket- DrumsFormer members...
in 2008 as it was released as a single off the Booming Back at You
Booming Back at You
- Personnel :The following people contributed to Booming Back at You.*Tom Holkenborg – writing, production, performance, arrangement, mixing, mastering*Andre Ettema – writing, sound design*Steve Aoki – writing, production,...
album. The cover appears on soundtrack for the racing video game Burnout Paradise
Burnout Paradise
Burnout Paradise is the seventh game in the Burnout racing video game series. It was developed by Criterion Games and published by Electronic Arts. It was released in January 2008 for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 and on February 5, 2009 for Microsoft Windows...
. "Cities in Dust" was also revisited by Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
ian band Pato Fu
Pato Fu
Pato Fu is a Brazilian rock band from Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais. The band was formed by lead singer Fernanda Takai, guitarist John Ulhoa and bassist Ricardo Koctus, in 1992. Their drummer, Xande Tamietti, joined the band in 1996, as did keyboardist Lulu Camargo in 2005...
, for their album Daqui Pro Futuro
Daqui Pro Futuro
Daqui Pro Futuro is an album released by the Brazilian rock band Pato Fu. It was released on August 10, 2007 and distributed by Tratore, began as the only independent album, Rotomusic. Along with their last album, it was still recorded by 128 Japs, John's studio at his house, the band made,...
in 2007 and the song was performed live by The Start in 2008.
Charts
| Chart (1985) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
21 |
| US Hot Dance Club Play Hot Dance Club Play The Hot Dance Club Songs chart is a weekly national survey of the songs that are most popular in U.S. dance clubs... |
17 |
| Irish Singles Chart Irish Singles Chart The Irish Singles Chart is Ireland's music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on behalf of the IRMA by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured... |
21 |
| Dutch Singles Chart | 37 |