"Debaser" is a song by the American alternative rock band Pixies, released in April 1989 as the opening track on their album Doolittle and later as a promotional single following the dissolution of the band.
Releases The band's 1991 "Head On" single includes a live version of "Debaser" recorded in Chicago on August 9, 1989. The album version of the song was later released as a single in 1997 to promote the Death to the Pixies compilation. A live recording from December 16, 2004 in New York City appears on "Hey" – Live Pixies 2004–2005.
A version of this song was also used in the game DJ Hero 2, remixed with The Prodigy's song "Invaders Must Die"; this mix is available as downloadable content for the game.
Lyrics and meaning The lyrics of "Debaser" are based on Un Chien Andalou, a 1929 short film by Luis Buñuel and Salvador Dalí. The film includes a scene in which a woman's eye is apparently cut open by a razor, which is referenced in the lyric "slicin' up eyeballs." According to frontman and songwriter Black Francis: – Black Francis, translated from a Spanish interview
The title "Debaser" references the fact that Un Chien Andalou "debases" contemporary morality and standards of art: "I guess it means: one who debases. A debaser. It was an attempt to introduce a new word into the lexicon, but I don’t think it’s been successful, else I would have heard about it."
In the earliest version of the song, the line "un chien andalusia" was originally "Shed, Apollonia!", a reference to a scene from Purple Rain.
Track listing Debaser – Demo "Debaser" (Demo) – 2:59 "No. 13 Baby" (Demo) – 3:10
Debaser – Live "Debaser" (Live in Chicago, August 10, 1989) – 2:44 "Holiday Song" (Live in Chicago, August 10, 1989) – 2:10 "Cactus" (Live in Chicago, August 10, 1989) – 2:27 "Nimrod's Son" (Live in Chicago, August 10, 1989) – 3:08
Debaser – Studio "Debaser" – 2:52 "Bone Machine" (Live in Netherlands, 1990) – 3:03 "Gigantic" (Live in Netherlands, 1990) – 3:24 "Isla de Encanta" (Live in Netherlands, 1990) – 1:44
Personnel Credits adapted from the liner notes of Doolittle.
Black Francis – vocals, rhythm guitar Kim Deal – bass guitar, backing vocals Joey Santiago – lead guitar, backing vocals David Lovering – drums
Charts Chart (1997)Peakposition
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