Christine (song)

"Christine" is a song by English post-punk band Siouxsie and the Banshees. The song was written by Siouxsie Sioux and Steven Severin and was released in 1980 by record label Polydor as the second single from the band's third album, Kaleidoscope.

Content

"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 chorus is topped with synthesisers. The close of the song utilizes a strong flanging effect.

Lyrically the song is about mental illness as it describes Christine, a woman with "22 faces" ("...Personality changes behind her red smile / Every new problem brings a stranger inside / Helplessly forcing one more new disguise..."). The song was inspired by the story of Chris Costner Sizemore, whose battle with dissociative identity disorder was dramatized in the film The Three Faces of Eve. Two of Christine's identities, the Strawberry Girl and the Banana Split Lady, are mentioned in the lyrics of the song. The two most extreme characters of this woman were named "Eve White" and "Eve Black"; those combined names became the title of the single's B-side.

Release

"Christine" was released as a single on 30 May 1980 by record label Polydor. The single peaked at number 22 in the UK Singles Chart.^[1] Due to an industrial dispute involving the Musicians' Union and Top of the Pops at the time (July–August 1980), there were no editions of the latter broadcast during the peak chart run of this single, hence Siouxsie and the Banshees never managed to perform it on the programme.

Cover versions

The song was covered by Red Hot Chili Peppers at their V2001 Festival performance^[2] and by Simple Minds in 2009 on the deluxe edition of their Graffiti Soul album.

Track listing

Side A
No.	Title	Length
1.	"Christine"

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

References

↑ "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

Siouxsie and the Banshees

Siouxsie Sioux Steven Severin Marco Pirroni Sid Vicious Kenny Morris Peter Fenton John McKay Budgie 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 Voices on the Air: The Peel Sessions

Other albums	Downside Up

EPs	The Thorn

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	"Tattoo"

Videos	Nocturne The Seven Year Itch At the BBC The Best of Siouxsie and the Banshees

Related articles	Discography Personnel The Creatures The Glove Bromley Contingent

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