Belladonna Lyrics
And I'm dizzy to distraction
The scented clutches of a siren's lament
Embrace the sound of enchantment
The lanterns of skin beckon us in
O Belladonna
Belladonna
Burnt and charred, this bride of scars
O Belladonna
Belladonna
The lanterns of skin beckon us in
O Belladonna
Belladonna
In a halo of sharks and a skeleton mask
O Belladonna
The patterns of pain, scream out your name
O Belladonna
Belladonna
How cruel is it that there are no comments on probably one of the best songs by Siouxsie and The Banshees and if not, one of the best on Hyena!
I think this song is about Belladonna, which I think means a beautiful woman. The first verse uses enchantments and distraction, possibly suggesting that the beauty of either Belladonna or the idea of a relationship.
However, calling her a bride of scars makes it appear that Belladonna has been through a lot and as nightfall draws on, it is revealed that Belladonna is not as pure as she seemed in the day. I'm not sure if it is Belladonna that has caused pain and decieves people by seeming innocent, or if she herself is the victim of abuse, but nobody sees it as she is so beautiful. But the theme here is deinately about abuse.
Belladonna, also known as Deadly Nightshade is a well known shrub with leaves and berries that are highly toxic. Legend has it that the name Belladonna is said to record an old superstition that at certain times it takes the form of an enchantress of exceeding loveliness, whom it is dangerous to look upon.
This song started life during the A Kiss In the Dreamhouse sessions but having proved unsatisfactory it was shelved until work started on the Hyaena album. Source: The File Phase Three Issues Three & Four.