Christine (Siouxsie and the Banshees song)

"Christine" is a song by English rock band Siouxsie and the Banshees, written by Siouxsie Sioux and Steven Severin. It was released in 1980 by Polydor as the second single from the then-unreleased third album, Kaleidoscope. The title of said album also comes from a lyric in "Christine".

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Content, music video and release

"Christine" marked a change in musical direction for the band, with new guitarist John McGeoch. The song begins with a distinctive riff played on an acoustic guitar. The post-chorus instrumentation includes electronic organ. The close of the song utilizes a strong flanging effect. The lyrics were inspired by the book The Three Faces of Eve which related the story of Christine Sizemore, a woman who reportedly had 22 different personalities.^[1]

The B-side, "Eve White/Eve Black", continues with the theme. Bassist Steven Severin stated in the liner notes for Downside Up: "Again a companion piece to the A side 'Christine'. Eve White and Eve Black were two of Christine Sizemore's more extraordinary personalities, constantly at war."^[2]

The band shot a music video for the song with director Clive Richardson, another music video was filmed on the same set for the song "Red Light".^[3] Neither featured McGeoch as he was not an artist signed on Polydor yet.^[1]

"Christine" was released as a single on 30 May 1980. It peaked at number 22 in the UK Singles Chart.^[4]

Cover versions

The song was covered by Red Hot Chili Peppers with John Frusciante on guitar at their V2001 Festival performance,^[5] and by Simple Minds on the deluxe edition of their Graffiti Soul album in 2009.

Track listing

Side A
No.	Title	Length
1.	"Christine"	2:57

Side B
No.	Title	Length
1.	"Eve White / Eve Black"	3:04

References

^ ^a ^b Johns, Brian (1989). Entranced: The Siouxsie and the Banshees Story. Omnibus Press. ISBN 0-7119-1773-6.
^ "Downside Up by Siouxsie and the Banshees" Booklet- CD Box set. Universal 982 182-3. 2004.
^ "Red Light" by Siouxsie and the Banshees - Music Video". Vevo official on YouTube. Retrieved 20 June 2022.
^ "Siouxsie & the Banshees [uk charts]". officialcharts.com. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
^ "saunalahti.fi" (Red Hot Chili Peppers' site) Archived 7 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine. setlist of the Red Hot Chili Peppers' concert performing "Christine" at the V2001 festival

v t e Siouxsie and the Banshees
Siouxsie Sioux Steven Severin Budgie Marco Pirroni Sid Vicious Kenny Morris Peter Fenton John McKay Robert Smith John McGeoch John Valentine Carruthers Martin McCarrick Jon Klein Knox Chandler
Studio albums	The Scream Join Hands Kaleidoscope Juju A Kiss in the Dreamhouse Hyæna Tinderbox Through the Looking Glass Peepshow Superstition The Rapture
Live albums	Nocturne The Seven Year Itch At the BBC
Compilation albums	Once Upon a Time/The Singles Twice Upon a Time – The Singles The Best of Siouxsie and the Banshees Downside Up Voices on the Air: The Peel Sessions All Souls
Extended plays	The Thorn The Peel Sessions (1987) The Peel Sessions (1989)
Videos/DVDs	Nocturne The Seven Year Itch At the BBC The Best of Siouxsie and the Banshees
Singles	"Hong Kong Garden" "The Staircase (Mystery)" "Playground Twist" "Mittageisen" "Happy House" "Christine" "Israel" "Spellbound" "Arabian Knights" "Fireworks" "Slowdive" "Melt!" "Dear Prudence" "Swimming Horses" "Dazzle" "Overground" "Cities in Dust" "Candyman" "This Wheel's on Fire" "The Passenger" "Song from the Edge of the World" "Peek-a-Boo" "The Killing Jar" "The Last Beat of My Heart" "Kiss Them for Me" "Shadowtime" "Fear (of the Unknown)" "Face to Face" "O Baby" "Stargazer"
Other songs	"Love in a Void" "Red Light" "Tattoo"
Related articles	Discography Personnel The Creatures The Glove Mantaray

This page was last edited on 22 January 2024, at 06:02

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