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Cities in Dust
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Wikipedia article
{{Infobox song
| name = Cities in Dust
| cover = Siouxsie Cities.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Siouxsie and the Banshees
| album = Tinderbox
| B-side = An Execution / Quarterdrawing of the Dog
| released =
| recorded = 1985
| studio =
| venue =
| genre =
| length =
| label = Polydor
Geffen (US)
| writer =
| producer = Siouxsie and the Banshees
| prev_title = Overground
| prev_year = 1984
| next_title = Candyman
| next_year = 1985
| misc =
}}
"'Cities in Dust'" is a song by English rock band Siouxsie and the Banshees from their seventh studio album, 'Tinderbox' (1986). It was released on 18 October 1985 as the album's lead single.
Background and composition
"Cities in Dust" is a dance-rock, dance-pop and gothic rock song. The song describes the city of Pompeii, destroyed in a volcanic eruption in 79 AD. 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. The lyrics mention a shrine to Lares Familiares.
Release and reception
"Cities in Dust" peaked at No. 21 on the UK Singles Chart in November 1985. In the US, Geffen released the single in early 1986 and included a remix of the song by Bob Rock on the A side of the vinyl and also on the 12 inch vinyl as an additional track."Siouxsie And The Banshees Cities In Dust". Geffen Records 7-28813, Wonderland (3) 7-28813. 1986. Although not Siouxsie and the Banshees' first song to enter the US 'Billboard' Hot Dance/Disco chart, it was their first significant success, climbing to No. 17.
'Spin' hailed the group for creating "this intoxicating wonderful commercial dance record without losing their edge". Reviewer John Leland said, "In a month of good dance rock records, this is the best", and noted that it was "full bodied, dense, with layers of chugging funk guitars, toy piano, and various electronic things". He concluded with praise for Siouxsie's performance: "It's rare these days to find a full production job that draws its identity from the 'voice'".
In 2011, singer Brett Anderson of Suede cited "Cities in Dust" as one of his favourite songs.
In popular culture
Siouxsie and the Banshees are seen performing the song in the 1986 movie 'Out of Bounds', and the song appears on the soundtrack album.
The song was featured in the 1997 film 'Grosse Pointe Blank', the 2017 spy film 'Atomic Blonde' and its soundtrack, and the 2018 second season of the Netflix teen drama series '13 Reasons Why' and its soundtrack. The song featured in the final credits of episode 9 of the second season of the comedic series 'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel'. It also appears at the beginning of the eighth episode of the third season of 'Glow'. Scenes from the promo video are seen in Brazilian film 'Califrnia'.
Cover versions
Pato Fu recorded a version on their album 'Daqui Pro Futuro' (2007). "Cities in Dust" was covered live by theStart during numerous concerts in 2007 and 2008.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sm3gwFd5NOU thestart Cities in dust"] youtube. retrieved 2 December 2018 Anna Nalick also performed it live.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oupOJ_ueZI Anna Nalick cities in dust live]. youtube. retrieved 2 December 2018 A cover by electronic artist Junkie XL was released as a single in 2008, and included on the 'Booming Back at You' album; the soundtrack for the racing video game 'Burnout Paradise' and the compilation album 'OMFGG Original Music Featured on Gossip Girl No. 1'.
A cover version by the Everlove was used in the trailers for the 2012 video game 'Transformers: Fall of Cybertron'; that cover was also featured in a 2014 trailer for the fourth season of the HBO series 'Game of Thrones'.Avery, Dan. [http://www.newnownext.com/hbo-releases-second-game-of-thrones-season-4-trailer-vengeance-watch/02/2014/ HBO Releases Second "Game Of Thrones" Season 4 Trailer, "Vengeance"]. 'Newnownext.com'. 18 February 2014. Retrieved 3 March 2014
Charts
References
Category:1985 singles
Category:1985 songs
Category:Geffen Records singles
Category:Polydor Records singles
Category:Songs about Italy
Category:Songs about natural disasters
Category:Pompeii in popular culture
Category:Siouxsie and the Banshees songs
Category:Songs written by Budgie (musician)
Category:Songs written by Siouxsie Sioux
Category:Songs written by Steven Severin
Category:Songs about cities
Category:Dance-rock songs
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