River Euphrates

Seeing as the overall theme from Surfer Rosa seems to be a very sexual one, its hard to believe that "River Euphrates" is not also eluding to a sexual reference.

First and foremost, the actual lyric to this song is "ride the tiger" not "tire" or "tyre". (This lyric correction comes directly from the Pixies' official site, pixiesmusic.com. See for yourself)

Although there are many geographical references, they aren't meant to be taken in a literal sense. They are rather metaphors and play-on-words. The term "ride the tiger" is slang for having intercourse with an Asian person.

"Stuck here out of gas" refers to ejaculating too quickly, ending his sexual experience before it hardly even begins.

"The gaza strip" is then most likely a refernce to his Asian lover's pubic hair.

From this point on, it is pretty apparent that the "dead sea" and choking on "the salty wine" lyric is a reference to his semen.

I could never figure out if it was "tire" or "tiger" either, and actually thought it sounded a little more like "tiger", but in the live version on the b-sides album, its quite obviously "tire".

For years I thought it was 'tiger' but through live shows and digital recording I have definately found it is predominantly 'tyre' with the odd artistic interspursing of 'tiger' near the end.

Ooops, I'm from the UK so I spelled tyre in English. Are we going to have a protracted thread arguing over the correct spelling of tyre/tire now?

I'm with you bro, tyre all the way. By the way, anyone noticed there are loads of tyre ads on this page now? Thats fuuunny.

Like all good art, this song has multiple meanings. Darkthundah's interpretation is dead on, for one of the meanings. At face value the song is exactly what it says, being out of gas in the middle east and riding a tire from the car down the river to get where you need to go. Of course the song is also about premature ejaculation. For those wondering what riding a tire down the River Euphrates could possibly have to do with sex, the river is the fertile crescent, "riding" shouldnt have to be explained, and as for the tire.....what are tires made out of hmmmm? And that substance is also slang for a condom. Other possible metaphors - "Gaza strip" = somewhere outside the vagina, perhaps the gooch? Dead sea = his penis. Salty Wine = semen. Dead Sea, via the salty wine, makes the "tire" (condom) float. Ride it!

OH MY GOLLY this is easily my favorite pixies song

The re-recorded version used as a B-side for the "Gigantic" single is even better than the album version. There's a lot more guitar, which is totally insane, and Black Francis' (I refuse to call him Frank Black) screams are even more harrowing. You can get it nowadays on the "Complete B-sides" CD, which is a must-have.

I happened to be watching the "The Pixies - Sell Out" DVD and it seems extremely, fantastically clear that the lyric is "tire", not "tiger". But you have every right to believe whatever you want and for whatever reason if it tickles your tummy.

One of the most beautiful, invigorating songs I've ever heard in my life, "tiger" or "tire"

Can't believe nobody has commented on this song. I think it is brilliant! Anyway i'm sure the correct lyrics are: 'ride a tyre down the river Euphrates' and not a Tiger? Does anyone know what it means? - quite appropriate with the present situation in Iraq?

It's ride a Tiger, probably a play on the words Tigris & Euphrates. I don't think it seems to be about anything except the Middle East.