Then she appeared
Apple Venus on a half open shell
Then she appeared
The first photograph on Fox Talbots gel

I was a little frightened
Flying with my senses heightened
Cherubim cheered, then she appeared

Then she appeared
As the giggling crew of Mary Celeste
Then she appeared
Pale Atlantis rising out of the west

I was a little dazzled
Catherine wheeled and senses frazzled
Know it sounds weird, then she appeared

And the sun which formally shone
In the clearest summer sky
Suddenly just changed address
Now shines from her blue eyes

Then she appeared
Brittle shooting star that dropped in my lap
Then she appeared
Dressed in tricolor and phrygian cap

I was a little troubled
Hookah with my senses bubbled
All Edward leered, then she appeared

And the moon which formally shone
On the marbled midnight mile
Suddenly just packed its bags
Now shines from her bright smile

Then she appeared
Out of nowhere
Then she appeared
Out of nowhere

Then she appeared
Out of nowhere
Then she appeared
Out of nowhere
Out of nowhere


Lyrics submitted by BlueAndStarry

Then She Appeared Lyrics as written by Andy Partridge

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

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Then She Appeared song meanings
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  • +1
    General Comment

    The song contains some metaphorical references. "Apple Venus on a half open shell" is about the the goddess of love from Roman/Greek mythology who was born out of a sea shell and later received Paris' apple as a symbol of her being the most beautiful of all the goddesses. Referring evidentially to the beauty of the girl that the song is about.

    Most other metaphors seem to have to do with the sudden and unexpected character of her appearance. "Fox Talbot" was a British innovator of 19th century photography. The first photograph with his new technique probably came as a surprise for most. The "Marie Celeste" was a ship that was found abandoned in 1872. The giggling crew, apparently just fooling the world for playing hide and seek for over a century, appear very unexpected to say the least. The same goes for Atlantis that turns out not to be a myth after all. The "tricolour and phrygian cap" are symbols of the French Revolution. I guess this has to do with the overthrowing of the old world order and the narrator having a similar experience in his personal world, which will never be the same again now she has appeared. And the "brittle shooting star" isn't something you expect to fall in your lap.

    Other metaphors having to do with the 'bubbling' of the senses, like the Hookah, that is some sort of waterpipe. Some things remain unclear to me. Who are for example Catherine and Edward who are mentioned?

    Cruonon April 19, 2011   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I think there's another pun here. The verb would be "leered", but the text actually reads "leared". Edward Lear is the nonsense poet who wrote "The Owl and the Pussycat", "The Dong With The Luminous Nose" and "The Land Where the Jumblie Live".

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Lear

    Phaedo0on July 27, 2011   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I'm so in love with all the little allusions and pieces of this song. It's beautiful and XTC makes it seem so effortless.

    One thing I find interesting is the "brittle shooting star" reference. Because the first time I heard the song, my mind immediately pictured a brittle star (the star-fish-like echinoderm) before I realized that the lyrics are most likely referring to a delicate shooting star, which makes much more sense. But it was a funny coincidence. Plus this song seems to have a few of those sort of punny double meanings like the "All Edwared Leared" one mentioned above.

    sideshowphilosophyon January 10, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    no comments for this ? craazy. i love this song, it's so... cute ! always makes me smile.

    _clemon April 26, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    yea i noticed it on gilmore girls..and went on a long despreate search to find it...took me under 10 minutes..but yea happy song..

    mexicanwerewofon June 29, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Dude, the old timey 19th century references, the rhyme scheme, the sweetness that almost borders cheesy but doesn't because it just sounds sooo good...this is great.

    Let_it_Rockon July 04, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I too was initiated into the cult of XTC by the Gilmore Girls, they use quite a few of their songs on there. I love the alliteration in this song, "cherubim cheered" rolls off the tongue ever so nicely. As a whole I think the song and lyrics capture the feeling of wonder one experiences when catching sight of someone striking, or that "love at first sight" experience.

    et_tu_bruteon May 07, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    It's about Andy Partridge's first wife, Marianne.

    camera123on March 02, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    The Catharine reference is to the popular firecracker, the Catharine wheel, because it says "Catherine wheeled" I don't get the Edward thing either though. Thanks for explaining the rest to me!

    Matty13on April 21, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    The "love at first sight" comment hits the nail right on the head. Every refrence in the song is symbolic of the first time he lays eyes his archetypal woman. And the chorus, which brings such sweet release, is exampling the aftermath of said encounter, things will never be the same again. "And then sun which formerly shone in the clearest summer sky, suddenly changed address, now shines in her blue eyes." Masterfully done, Mr. Partridge.

    Karnenyenon January 31, 2013   Link

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