Siouxsie and the Banshees: “Christine” (1980)
Can you think of a better Eve than Siouxsie Sioux? Me neither.
Kronomyth 2.7: Siouxsie and the Banana Splits.
The second single from the new lineup was a study in schizophrenia. Based on the film The Three Faces of Eve and its subject, Christine Sizemore, Siouxsie wrote the poetic and sympathetic goth classic, Christine. Siouxsie’s voice and lyrical imagery carry the song with minimal but on-point accompaniment from the band. (In the video, Sioux stars with acoustic guitar in hand since John McGeoch still wasn’t contractually able to appear with the band.) Even the picture sleeve for this single is a work of art. Taking the task of releasing a new single at face value, the band created a new song for the flip side based on the same film, Eve White Eve Black. It’s not as catchy, choosing to go to a darker place as the subject’s subconscious “other” struggles to come to the surface. Both songs show Siouxsie and The Banshees headed in the same gothic direction as The Cure, a connection that would soon be consummated when Robert Smith replaced McGeoch on tour several years later.
Original 7-inch single version
A1. Christine (Siouxsie Sioux/Steve Severin)
B1. Eve White Eve Black (Siouxsie Sioux/Steve Severin)
The Players
Budgie (drums), John McGeoch (guitars), Steve Severin (bass), Siouxsie Sioux (vocals). A1 produced by Nigel Gray and Siouxsie & The Banshees, B1 produced by Siouxsie & The Banshees.
The Plastic
Released on May 30, 1980 on 7-inch in the UK and Australia (Polydor, 2059 249) with picture sleeve. Reached #24 on the UK charts.
