Sukie was the kid, she liked to hangout in the graveyard
She did brass rubbings, she learned you never had to press hard
When she finished hanging out she was all alone
She decided that she better check in at home
There was an awful row between her mum and dad
They said she hadn't done this, she hadn't done that
If she wanted to remain inside the family home
She'd have to tow the line, she'd have to give it a go
It didn't suit Sukie
So she took her things and left

Sukie was the kid, she liked to hang out at the art school
She didn't enrol, but she wiped the floor with all the arseholes
She took a bijou flat with the fraternity cat
She hid inside the attic of the sculpture building
She had a slut slave and his name was Dave
She said 'Be my photo bitch and I'll make you rich'
He didn't believe her but the boy revered her
He got her meals and he got her a bed
He watched behind the screen and she started to undress
He never got far
Just lookin' and playing guitar

Autumn hanging down all the trees are draped like chandeliers
Sukie saw the beauty but she wasn't wet behind the ears
She had an A1 body and a face to match
She didn't have money, she didn't have cash
With the winter coming on, and the attic cold
She had to press her nose on the refectory wall
They served steamed puddings she went without
She had to pose for life for all the scholars of art
She didn't feel funny, she didn't feel bad
Peeling away everything she had
She had the grace of an eel, sleek and stark
As the shadows played tricks on the girl in the dark

Sukie was the kid, she liked to hangout in the graveyard


Lyrics submitted by madedge

Sukie in the Graveyard Lyrics as written by Christopher Geddes Bob Kildea

Lyrics © Hipgnosis Songs Group

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Sukie in the Graveyard song meanings
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15 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment

    this song is about living fast, but never getting anywhere as a result. the upbeat sound sounds like its from sukie's perspective. shes having fun and enjoying her young years, but its obvious in the story that she's not going to end up anywhere but the street

    "She did brass rubbings, she learned you never had to press hard" -shes an underachiever, learning how to get what she wants with the least work possible

    dave tells her that he can make her rich, but only gets used and never gets much from him.

    the last verse concludes that her life is invested in her body, and when thats gone, she will be on the street...its a really sad song

    Drewb18c1on April 20, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    As people may be aware, Belle and Sebastian are from Glasgow.

    Most may not be aware, however, that 'sooky' is Glaswegian slang for a blow job. So the name of the song is a little inside joke.

    sneckoon July 12, 2010   Link
  • +1
    Song Fact

    Sukie was at the Berkeley show tonight at the Greek Theatre. Danced with Stuart on stage during this song. Apparently she's a real estate agent now. She really does have an A-one body and a face to match. He wasn't kidding. Wow!

    nerdlandon April 13, 2015   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Great, great song. And how much does he sound like Bowie from the early 1970s?

    The meaning seems pretty straightforward - a girl who leaves home, hangs out around an art school and makes money posing nude for life drawing classes.

    caitsith01on January 24, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    best song on the CD, although the whole CD is a masterpeice.

    iknowmyonionon March 05, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Is this Sukie girl taken?

    pumkinhedon March 18, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Best song hands down.

    spanwayhitson April 13, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I've never heard a story told so well. Great walking music. Listening to this and walking downtown makes you feel like a badass.

    Bmysteron April 16, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Drewb18c1 - I don\'t think Dave ever promised her anything, he just pined after her and she never let him get anywhere with her (romantically).

    Agree that Sukie is carefree and not really going anywhere, but I don\'t know if I see the song as negatively as you. I think she\'s content - hence her grace, and her ability to be comfortable naked.

    caitsith01on May 08, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Yup. Living fast, but making the choice that you're okay with that, and that (for sukie at least) it's worth giving up the future for the present, if you embrace the present enough and never regret your decision.

    As a side not, for about the first hundred times I listened to this - it's my favorite from The Life Pursuit - I heard the line as "grace of a needle," which seemed appropriate, as she sleekly and silently gets under your skin. I think I like my misinterpretation better, strangely.

    Navelgazer33on May 25, 2006   Link

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