The 10 Best Sisters of Mercy songs of all time..

THE place for your Sisters-related comments, questions and snippets of Sisters information. For those who do not know, The Sisters of Mercy are a rock'n'roll band. And a pop band. And an industrial groove machine. Or so they say. They make records. Lots of records, apparently. But not in your galaxy. They play concerts. Lots of concerts, actually. But you still cannot see them. So what's it all about, Alfie? This is one of the few tightly-moderated forums on Heartland, so please keep on-topic. All off-topic posts will either be moved or deleted. Chairman Bux is the editor and the editor's decision is final. Danke.
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Pista
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Damaged+Done wrote: 13 Apr 2023, 17:42 For an LP regularly called a classic, I always think that Side 1 of FALAA contains some of the weakest songs. WA and NTTC being the weakest links. They worked live as new material pre-split but nowadays, there are so many other songs I'd rather hear that it irks when they pop up...


1. Andrenochrome
2. Romeo Down
3. Train
4. Driven Like Snow
5. War On Drugs
6. Fix
7. Nine While Nine
8. Some kind Of Stranger
9. Summer
10. Top Nite Out
Hello & welcome to :hl: :)
Cheers.
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Damaged+Done
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Pista wrote: 13 Apr 2023, 19:58
Hello & welcome to :hl: :)
Thanks
coelocanth
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Man, it's hard to draw a line, but gotta train those AIs to have some taste. In alphabetical not merit order:

Afterhours
Alice
Black Sail (based heavily on Tobias Forsner's rendition)
Body Electric (1983 version)
Dominion/Mother Russia (counts as one song in my mind)
Floorshow
Heartland
Lucretia My Reflection (7" version)
Never Land ("full length" version)
Temple of Love (1983 7" version)

FALAA (the album) has a special place but when I put it on, I'll play the whole album rather than individual songs. It's an album, not a collection of singles.
lilac
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Speaking of AI this is kind of stupid but someone linked me one of the image creation sites and this is how it imagined "cover art of the album Floodland by The Sisters of Mercy":
Image
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Planet Dave
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lilac wrote: 15 Apr 2023, 20:54 Speaking of AI this is kind of stupid but someone linked me one of the image creation sites and this is how it imagined "cover art of the album Floodland by The Sisters of Mercy":
Image
Not exactly full speed ahead towards the singularity, is it :lol:
'What a heavy load Einstein must have had. Morons everywhere.'
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Pista
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Not sure it is AI.
It's more likely SEO writing purely to get clicks. & it's worked.
Cheers.
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lilac
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Planet Dave wrote: 15 Apr 2023, 21:00 Not exactly full speed ahead towards the singularity, is it :lol:
:lol: Yeah not my attempt at least and it was a year ago so the image making thingies were more primitive but like, they can make nice art by now to the point it's kind of messed up for artists whose style can just be appropriated at will, I don't really know what to think of it all to be honest. I guess it doesn't matter because they'll keep developing them anyway, so...


What will it mean for music too if/when labels (or anyone else really) might pretty soon have AI churn out new songs "in the style of" the Sisters that are just amalgamations of Andrew's work?
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Pista wrote: 15 Apr 2023, 21:43 Not sure it is AI.
It's more likely SEO writing purely to get clicks. & it's worked.
Maybe it can be both hehe, like SEO writing by AI. I asked chatgpt to explain Black Planet, this is what it says:
"Black Planet" is a song by English rock band The Sisters of Mercy, released in 1986 on their second studio album, "Floodland". The song features the signature dark, brooding sound that The Sisters of Mercy are known for, with powerful drums, driving basslines, and soaring guitar riffs.

The lyrics of "Black Planet" paint a bleak picture of a world on the brink of destruction, with references to war, violence, and social decay. The song's chorus, "On a black planet, screams a black soul, in a dead man's dream, all the things that you see slowly fade away," highlights the sense of hopelessness and despair that permeates the track.

Despite its bleak subject matter, "Black Planet" is an anthem of sorts for those who feel alienated from mainstream society. The song's powerful, driving rhythm and haunting vocals create a sense of urgency and intensity that speaks to the frustration and anger of those who feel marginalized or ignored by the world around them.

Overall, "Black Planet" is a powerful and thought-provoking song that showcases The Sisters of Mercy's unique sound and lyrical style. With its dark, brooding atmosphere and powerful message, it remains a favorite among fans of gothic and post-punk music to this day.
I hope Andrew doesn't try this..
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In the interest of science, I asked ChatGPT to write a song about growing avocados, in a dystopian world, in the style of The Sisters Of Mercy.

May I present 'Resilient Avocado Hope':


(Verse 1)
In a desolate world, where hope is rare,
A lone avocado tree stands tall, with leaves so spare,
Its fruits, a treasure, in a barren land,
Surviving against all odds, nature's defiant stand.

(Chorus)
Growing avocados, in a dystopian sight,
Bearing fruits of hope, in the darkest of night,
A symbol of resilience, in a world so gray,
A beacon of life, in an apocalyptic fray.

(Verse 2)
Its roots dig deep, seeking water's trace,
Through polluted soil, in a toxic place,
The sun's harsh rays, scorch its skin,
Yet it perseveres, with a will to win.

(Chorus)
Growing avocados, in a dystopian sight,
Bearing fruits of hope, in the darkest of night,
A symbol of resilience, in a world so gray,
A beacon of life, in an apocalyptic fray.

(Bridge)
The Sisters of Mercy, once sang a song,
Of a world gone wrong, where nothing's long,
The avocado stands, a flicker of green,
A testament to nature's enduring scene.

(Verse 3)
People pass by, with hungry eyes,
Yearning for a taste of nature's prize,
They pluck the avocados, one by one,
Feasting on its flesh, under the scorching sun.

(Chorus)
Growing avocados, in a dystopian sight,
Bearing fruits of hope, in the darkest of night,
A symbol of resilience, in a world so gray,
A beacon of life, in an apocalyptic fray.

(Outro)
So let us remember, in our direst days,
That life finds a way, in mysterious ways,
Like the avocado tree, standing tall,
In a dystopian world, it gives us hope, after all.
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lilac wrote: 03 Apr 2023, 19:53
Husek wrote: 03 Apr 2023, 15:31 I never understood why y'all hate NTTC tbh.
I mean, I get why You Could be The One isn't everyone's cuppa, but NTTC is a very honest sisters song if you ask me.
It's maybe kind of a straightforward pretty pop song? It's just a feeling I get sometimes, no time for heartache no time to cry wouldn't necessarily take Andrew to write. I really like it but I kinda understand why some people who want the weird Sisters don't
The main reason Sisters are still my favorite band some 30 years on is precisely because the band has about as many personalities as I do... They are so weird at heart that it seems like an inside joke when they aren't.
As someone who spent too much of life trying not to be weird and things only ever working out when I embraced it that was always a huge part of the charm.
Last edited by Dan Cougar on 18 Apr 2023, 07:40, edited 1 time in total.
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Dan Cougar
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mh wrote: 03 Apr 2023, 17:46 I'd rank NTTC higher than Walk Away, Afterhours, Possession, Dr Jeep and Will I Dream, but I get that I'm weird like that.
That sounds entirely reasonable considering they are all good songs. I love Dr. Jeep. It is a much better song than it is a good Sisters song. The video totally captures the cusp-of-the-WWW zeitgeist and the lyrics are just as relevant now if not more so.
I'm not trying to move the goalposts or the net or whatever it is you move but it's an impossible question...
What are the best songs by The Sisters of Mercy is an entirely different question than what are the best Sisters of Mercy songs. And what are the best Sisters of Mercy songs isn't the same questions as what's the most Sisters of Mercy song...
Best Song by the Sisters of Mercy: "No time to Cry"
Best Sisters of Mercy Song: "This Corrosion"
Most Sisters of Mercy Song: "Home of the Hitmen"
Last edited by Dan Cougar on 18 Apr 2023, 07:48, edited 1 time in total.
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Ian1971 wrote: 16 Apr 2023, 16:10 In the interest of science, I asked ChatGPT to write a song about growing avocados, in a dystopian world, in the style of The Sisters Of Mercy.

May I present 'Resilient Avocado Hope':


(Verse 1)
In a desolate world, where hope is rare,
A lone avocado tree stands tall, with leaves so spare,
Its fruits, a treasure, in a barren land,
Surviving against all odds, nature's defiant stand.

(Chorus)
Growing avocados, in a dystopian sight,
Bearing fruits of hope, in the darkest of night,
A symbol of resilience, in a world so gray,
A beacon of life, in an apocalyptic fray.

(Verse 2)
Its roots dig deep, seeking water's trace,
Through polluted soil, in a toxic place,
The sun's harsh rays, scorch its skin,
Yet it perseveres, with a will to win.

(Chorus)
Growing avocados, in a dystopian sight,
Bearing fruits of hope, in the darkest of night,
A symbol of resilience, in a world so gray,
A beacon of life, in an apocalyptic fray.

(Bridge)
The Sisters of Mercy, once sang a song,
Of a world gone wrong, where nothing's long,
The avocado stands, a flicker of green,
A testament to nature's enduring scene.

(Verse 3)
People pass by, with hungry eyes,
Yearning for a taste of nature's prize,
They pluck the avocados, one by one,
Feasting on its flesh, under the scorching sun.

(Chorus)
Growing avocados, in a dystopian sight,
Bearing fruits of hope, in the darkest of night,
A symbol of resilience, in a world so gray,
A beacon of life, in an apocalyptic fray.

(Outro)
So let us remember, in our direst days,
That life finds a way, in mysterious ways,
Like the avocado tree, standing tall,
In a dystopian world, it gives us hope, after all.
Try singing that in your head to the melody of "Eyes of Caligula" lol
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Pista wrote: 13 Apr 2023, 19:58
Damaged+Done wrote: 13 Apr 2023, 17:42 For an LP regularly called a classic, I always think that Side 1 of FALAA contains some of the weakest songs. WA and NTTC being the weakest links. They worked live as new material pre-split but nowadays, there are so many other songs I'd rather hear that it irks when they pop up...


1. Andrenochrome
2. Romeo Down
3. Train
4. Driven Like Snow
5. War On Drugs
6. Fix
7. Nine While Nine
8. Some kind Of Stranger
9. Summer
10. Top Nite Out
Hello & welcome to :hl: :)
That's a great list. Mine looks kinda like this:

1) Lucretia (My Reflection)
2) More
3) Nine While Nine
4) Floorshow
5) Dominion/ Mother Russia
6) On the Wire
7) Something Fast
8) When I'm on Fire
9) Good Things
10)But Genevieve

Ask me to write it again in an hour and it will probably look totally different.
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So here's my argument for a "best" song. I'll preface with that I have tickets to the Silver Springs, MD show that kicks off the 2023 US tour and will also be on my 51st birthday.
"Something Fast" is peak Eldritch. It's possibly his best song. Consider:

You can stand all night
At a red light anywhere in town
Hailing maries left and right
But none of them slow down
I seen the best of men go past
I don't want to be the last
Gimme something fast

This was written post a tour of the US. Only Andrew Eldritch could combine hailing Mary for penitence and hailing a cab and see that through to an implication of wanting redemption, to get laid, and a ride home simultaneously. I can just see that weird pink lighting in the part of town he is talking about here.
But there's a great ambiguity at the end... I think he's playing on how the US mix "fast" and "quickly/expediently"... Like it initially sounds to me like he wants something now, but I think no, he want's something fast. "Fast" referring to something that is sporty and exciting. He wants to take the ride rather than watch it go by. Effin brilliant. But there's more:

God knows everybody needs
A hand in their decision
Some of us are not so sure
I seen his own held out
For a ride on television
I think he's still in Baltimore

Clearly about turning on US TV and seeing so many people raising money for God, as if God was holding out his own hand for donations, for a ride which he didn't get. Leaving him stuck in Baltimore MD, the same state as Silver Springs!
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I always thought 'something fast' was also one of his pet terms for the ol' amphetamine.
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1. Ribbons (the only song I like from VT)
2. Logic
3. Marian
4. Flood II
5. Dominion
6. On the wire
7. Romeo down (that version with a lot of screams, from 2001 I think)
8. Kiss the Carpet
9. War on Drugs (best unreleased track)
10. Caligula (best new unrealeased track)
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not going to count any of the unreleased songs, because it doesn't seem fair to put bootlegs and YT clips up against properly recorded and produced material (but if I was then Suzanne, Crash & Burn, Here, Eyes Of Caligula and But Genevieve would be in the mix for sure)

In loose chronological order

Alice
Floorshow
Burn
Temple of Love
Heartland
Marian
FALAA
(Rain From Heaven)
Dominion / Mother Russia
Driven Like The Snow
Ribbons
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Wilkstein
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I can't possibly rank them but I will sort of group them.

Absolute top:

Ribbons
Flood II
Lucretia
Temple of Love

Just slightly below:

(We Are the Same) Susanne
Alice
Nine While Nine
When You Don't See Me
More
Heartland
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Dan Cougar
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jim-bob wrote: 19 Apr 2023, 03:09 I always thought 'something fast' was also one of his pet terms for the ol' amphetamine.
Also a possibility. That these are all plausible is what keeps me coming back...
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Dan Cougar
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DReifZ wrote: 19 Apr 2023, 07:19 1. Ribbons (the only song I like from VT)
So glad I heard everything in backwards order starting with VT in 1991. I get to like all of them. 8)
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Dan Cougar wrote: 18 Apr 2023, 08:19 So here's my argument for a "best" song. I'll preface with that I have tickets to the Silver Springs, MD show that kicks off the 2023 US tour and will also be on my 51st birthday.
"Something Fast" is peak Eldritch. It's possibly his best song. Consider:

You can stand all night
At a red light anywhere in town
Hailing maries left and right
But none of them slow down
I seen the best of men go past
I don't want to be the last
Gimme something fast

This was written post a tour of the US. Only Andrew Eldritch could combine hailing Mary for penitence and hailing a cab and see that through to an implication of wanting redemption, to get laid, and a ride home simultaneously. I can just see that weird pink lighting in the part of town he is talking about here.
But there's a great ambiguity at the end... I think he's playing on how the US mix "fast" and "quickly/expediently"... Like it initially sounds to me like he wants something now, but I think no, he want's something fast. "Fast" referring to something that is sporty and exciting. He wants to take the ride rather than watch it go by. Effin brilliant. But there's more:

God knows everybody needs
A hand in their decision
Some of us are not so sure
I seen his own held out
For a ride on television
I think he's still in Baltimore

Clearly about turning on US TV and seeing so many people raising money for God, as if God was holding out his own hand for donations, for a ride which he didn't get. Leaving him stuck in Baltimore MD, the same state as Silver Springs!
@Dan Cougar howzit and welcome to :hl:

funny you mention something fast.
there was a gig a few years ago in Paradiso when this song was on the set list. little me who had never been on anyone's shoulders during a sisters gig because one i'm scared of heights, two no one has ever offered, three would i trust anyone to hold me up safe in a sisters crowd...but guess what? it actually happened and i was already front or second row. my ever so kind gentle but stable belgium friend who is already so tall and is kinda everyone who has ever had someone on their shoulders it would probably have been him! ...lifted me like an angel and von sang something fast that got filmed and is on youtubiedoo. what a night that was! :notworthy:
my first time on shoulders i dug in and loved it :wink: :von:
* fast is from speed the stuff you sniff not sporty or exciting although you can get excited from speed. 8)
it's all about circles and spirals
that ongoing eternity
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