THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

854-Cult-She Sells Sanctuary.

1985-Number 15 single. In 1993 the song was re-released on two different CD singles, with several remixes, and once again it peaked at Number 15.

Best Bit-At 1.02. The wonderful low key intro only serves for greater anticipation, as you await that first big bang on the drum. For even greater anticipation, try the extended version, you get an extra 43 seconds of anticipation.

The Cult were formed in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England, in 1983, by Ian Astbury, (lead vocals) Billy Duffy, (lead guitar) Ray Mondo, (drums) and Jamie Stewart, (bass) Ray Mondo was replaced later in 1983 by Nigel Preston (1963-1992) (drums.) The Cult were active between 1983-1995, and then again between 1999-2002, before reforming again in 2006, with Ian Astbury, and Billy Duffy, being the bands two constants. In total there have been 32 different members come and go, and at the time of writing they remain active. The origin of the bands name can be traced back to when Astbury formed a band called ‘Southern Death Cult.’ On meeting Duffy in 1983, they teamed up to form ‘Death Cult,’ and using that name they released their first single, and an EP, but due to commercial reasons it was felt that a change to just ‘Cult,’ would bring more accessibility with the general public. Prior to teaming up with Astbury, Duffy had been in the ‘Punk Rock’ band ‘The Nosebleeds,’ with Vini Reilly, who would go on to form the ‘Durutti Column,’ and Morrissey, who would go on to form the ‘Smiths.’

The Cult who started out as a ‘Post-Punk,’ and then a ‘Gothic Rock’ band, would change their style of music to ‘Hard Rock,’ and ‘Heavy Metal,’ in the later 1980’s. Their discography includes 11 studio Albums released between 1984-2022, and 37 singles issued between 1983-2016, there are also six official compilation Albums, and two live Albums available. In the UK, 11 of their singles have reached the top 40, with ‘Lil Devil,’ from 1987, charting the highest at Number 11. In America they have had success on the Billboard ‘Alternative Airplay,’ and ‘Mainstream Rock’ music charts, with 13 of their tracks charting within those charts top 40 lists.

‘She Sells Sanctuary’ was the first of three singles released from the ‘Cult’s’ second studio Album ‘Love,’ from October 1985, the Album is estimated to have sold in excess of 2.5 million copies worldwide to date. ‘She Sells Sanctuary’ was co-written by Ian Astbury, and Billy Duffy, with the songs production, and it’s parent Album being by Steve Brown (1956-2021.) Brown had began his musical career in the role of an engineer, and before becoming involved in the ‘Punk’ scene, he had worked on ‘Wizzard’s’ ‘I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday’ (see also best songs 821.) The other songs in this 1000 best songs list that were produced by Brown are, ‘Motorcycle Emptiness’ (see also best songs 248) and ‘Club Tropicana’ (see also best songs 991.)

Billy Duffy has spoken about how the iconic intro to ‘She Sells Sanctuary’ came about,’I found a violin bow, and I started to play the guitar with the bow like Jimmy Page. I did it to amuse Astbury, who was in the control room, and in order to make it sound weirder, I just hit every pedal I had on the pedal board. Then once I stopped banging the strings and doing all that, I played the middle section of the song, which was kind of a pick thing with all the ‘BOSS’ pedals on, and that sound just leaped out. The producer went, ‘Hold it, hold it, that’s great!’ And we decided to start the song with that mystical sound. If I hadn’t found that violin bow laying around, we wouldn’t have gone there.’

When asked what ”She Sells Sanctuary’ is about, Ian Astbury said,’Sex. Plain and simple, it’s about sex. I’ve had sex, and I’m very proud of that fact.’

‘Oh, the heads that turn make my back burn, and those heads that turn make my back, make my back burn. The sparkle in your eyes keeps me alive, and the sparkle in your eyes, keeps me alive, keeps me alive.’