THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

593-The Sisters of Mercy-Lucretia My Reflection.

1988-Number 20 single.

Best Bit-At 1.28. To have a song written about you must be wonderful, but perhaps not so wonderful when you are being compared to Lucrezia Borgia.

The Sisters of Mercy were formed in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England, in 1980, by Andrew Eldritch, who at that time was studying Mandarin Chinese at the ‘University of Leeds,’ and his associate Gary Marx, in order to initially ‘satisfy their desire to hear themselves on the radio.’ Their stage name was influenced by the Robert Aitman (1925-2006) 1971 American Western film ‘McCabe & Mrs Miller,’ which featured the 1967 Leonard Cohen (1934-2016) song ‘Sisters of Mercy.’ In total 21 different members have come and gone, with Andrew Eldritch being the groups one constant, they split briefly between 1985-1986, but then reformed with different members, and at the time of writing they remain active. There have been some very famous names who have been past members of The Sisters of Mercy, including Tony James, who before joining the group in 1989, and staying until 1991, had been a member of the English ‘Punk Rock’ band ‘Generation X,’ and the British ‘New Wave’ band ‘ Sigue Sigue Sputnik’ (see also best songs 163.) Another ex member was Wayne Hussey, who was with the group between 1983-1985, then leaving to go on to form the English ‘Gothic Rock’ group ‘The Mission (see also best songs 1051 and 984.)

Since a dispute with their record label ‘EastWest Records’ in 1993, The Sisters of Mercy have not officially released any new music, and have been only a touring group since then, with Andrew Eldritch reasoning that he can make more money on the road than in the studio. They have continued to make new music since 1993, and premier it while on stage. The discography of The Sisters of Mercy includes three studio Albums released between 1985-1990, and 16 singles released between 1980-1993, there are also two official compilation Albums, and one box set available. In the UK, seven of their singles have reached the top 40, with their 1992 re-make of their 1983 track ‘Temple of Love (1992’) featuring the Israeli singer Ofra Haza, (1957-2000) (see also best songs 856) peaking the highest at Number 3 in 1992. The Sisters of Mercy have never had a single chart on the Billboard Hot 100 in America, although their 1990 track ‘More,’ did reach Number 1 on the Billboard ‘Modern Rock Tracks,’ chart, which is now known as the ‘Alternative Airplay’ chart.

Andrew Eldritch was born Andrew William Harvey Taylor, on May 15th, 1959, in Ely, Cambridgeshire, England, he is known for his bass-baritone vocal style, and pale and thin look, and in his earlier days, ‘shock of black hair.’ The Sisters of Mercy are regarded as a major influence on the musical genre of ‘Gothic Rock,’ with Eldritch earning the honorific title ‘The Godfather of Goth,’ but Eldritch laughs that off, insisting that The Sisters of Mercy are no part of the ‘Goth’ scene. Eldritch has said, ‘It’s disappointing that so many people have in all seriousness adopted just one of our many one-week-of-stupid-clothes benders. I’m constantly confronted by representatives of popular culture who are far more Goth than we, yet I have only to wear black socks to be stigmatised as the demon overlord.’ When first forming The Sisters of Mercy, Andrew Eldritch played the drums, but he later began to use a drum machine, freeing him up to focus on his vocal performance. Eldritch lovingly called his drum machine, which was initially a ‘BOSS DR-55,’ ‘Doktor Avalanche,’ and although he has used several different makes of drum machines over the years, they are all called ‘Doktor Avalanche,’ and the drum machine is looked upon as a band member.

‘Lucretia My Reflection’ was the last of three singles released from The Sisters of Mercy’s second studio Album ‘Floodland,’ from November 1987, the song was written by Andrew Eldritch, and produced by Eldritch, and Larry Alexander. The title of the song refers to Lucrezia Borgia, (1480-1519) of the prominent Borgia family, of the Italian Renaissance, who were notorious for their ruthless political tactics, and alleged crimes. Andrew Eldritch wrote the song for his fellow band mate, and bass player, the American born Patricia Morrison, of whom Eldritch said, ‘She always strikes me as a Lucretia type person,’ In 1996, Morrison, who was then a member of the ‘Punk Rock’ group ‘The Damned,’ (see also best songs 273) married their lead singer David Vanian. The lyrics to ‘Lucretia My Reflection,’ include the line,’once a railroad, now it’s done,’ this is a reference to the 1932 song ‘Brother, Can You Spare A Dime,’ (see also best songs 259) which is a song about the disastrous effect the ‘Great Depression’ had on the American way of life. The lyrics to ‘Lucretia My Reflection,’ also concern the fall of an empire, war, and the consequent destruction of other aspects of life.

I hear the roar of a big machine, two worlds and in between. Hot metal and methedrine, I hear empire down. We got the empire, now as then, we don’t doubt, we don’t take reflection. Lucretia, my direction, dance the ghost with me.’