THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER

688-Pixies-Cactus.

1988-Has never been released as a single in the UK.

Best Bit-At 1.10. P.I.X.I.E.S. Surely I have no need to spell out to you how good this song is.

The Pixies were formed in Boston, Massachusettes, United States, in 1986, they were active until 1993, but did reform in 2004.The original lineup was Black Francis (born Charles Thompson) (vocals,) Joey Santiago (lead guitar,) Kim Deal (bass,) and David Lovering (drums.) They are considered one of the most influential acts of the 1990’s, in the field of ‘Alternative Rock,’ being an influence on acts such as Nirvana, Radiohead, and the Smashing Pumpkins. They have released seven studio Albums to date, the latest being ‘Beneath the Eyrie’ in 2019.They have only released 18 singles to date, and have never had a single enter the Billboard Hot 100. In the UK they have had three top 40 hits, with ‘Debaser’ from 1997, being their highest charting song, when peaking at Number 23.

‘Cactus’ is taken from the Pixies 1988 debut Album ‘Surfer Rosa,’ telling the story of a man in prison missing his wife. He wishes she would send him something with her scent on, hence the lyrics,’ Bloody your hands on a cactus tree, wipe it on your dress, and send it to me.Between the second verse and the chorus, the band can be heard chanting ‘P.I.X.I.E.S.,’ this pays homage to one of the band’s heroes, Marc Bolan, who chanted the word ‘T.R.E.X.’ on his song ‘The Groover.’ In 2002 David Bowie covered ‘Cactus’ for his ‘Heathen’ Album, and during the instrumental break he spells out ‘D.A.V.I.D.’

‘Sitting here wishing on a cement floor, just wishing that I had something you wore.’