The Last Beat of My Heart
Encyclopedia
"The Last Beat of My Heart" is a song written, produced and recorded by English rock band Siouxsie and the Banshees. It was released in late 1988 as the third and final single from the band's ninth studio album Peepshow
.
The song is a ballad
with minimal instrumentation, mainly driven by drumming from Banshees member Budgie
over strings and accordion. Sioux's vocals address a lover who is leaving a relationship, as she asks for him to return to her. She declares her desire to be "close to you til the last beat of my heart".
The single was described in a review as "a swirling, smouldering masterpiece which will capture your ticker within the first few moments and hold it fluttering in awe. With a ghostly accordion adding to the building power, Siouxsie's hypnotic voice is just unnerving enough to delight. A true gem."
Several musicians later praised the song. DeVotchKa
covered
it on their 2006 EP Curse Your Little Heart
and The Decemberists
qualified it as one of their favourite Siouxsie and the Banshees songs.
"The Last Beat of My Heart" reached number forty-four in the UK singles chart
in December 1988. Upon its inclusion on the 1992 compilation album Twice Upon a Time: The Singles
, a live recording of the song from 1991 replaced the single version.
Peepshow (album)
Peepshow is the ninth studio album by the English band Siouxsie and the Banshees and their first as a quintet. With the arrival of multi-instrumentalist Martin McCarrick, Peepshow was one of their most musically complex albums, including the singles "Peek-a-Boo" and "The Last Beat of My...
.
The song is a ballad
Ballad
A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads were particularly characteristic of British and Irish popular poetry and song from the later medieval period until the 19th century and used extensively across Europe and later the Americas, Australia and North Africa. Many...
with minimal instrumentation, mainly driven by drumming from Banshees member Budgie
Budgie (drummer)
-External links:*...
over strings and accordion. Sioux's vocals address a lover who is leaving a relationship, as she asks for him to return to her. She declares her desire to be "close to you til the last beat of my heart".
The single was described in a review as "a swirling, smouldering masterpiece which will capture your ticker within the first few moments and hold it fluttering in awe. With a ghostly accordion adding to the building power, Siouxsie's hypnotic voice is just unnerving enough to delight. A true gem."
Several musicians later praised the song. DeVotchKa
DeVotchKa
DeVotchKa is a four-piece multi-instrumental and vocal ensemble. They take their name from the Russian word devochka , meaning "girl"...
covered
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
it on their 2006 EP Curse Your Little Heart
Curse Your Little Heart
Curse Your Little Heart is an EP from the band DeVotchKa, released by Ace Fu in 2006. Five out of the six tracks are cover versions of other bands' songs, with the title track first appearing on the album SuperMelodrama.-Track listing:...
and The Decemberists
The Decemberists
The Decemberists are an indie folk rock band from Portland, Oregon, United States, fronted by singer/songwriter Colin Meloy. The other members of the band are Chris Funk , Jenny Conlee , Nate Query , and John Moen .The band's...
qualified it as one of their favourite Siouxsie and the Banshees songs.
"The Last Beat of My Heart" reached number forty-four in the UK singles chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
in December 1988. Upon its inclusion on the 1992 compilation album Twice Upon a Time: The Singles
Twice Upon a Time: The Singles
Twice Upon a Time: The Singles is the second singles compilation released by Siouxsie and the Banshees. It follows the same format as Once Upon a Time: The Singles, presenting the songs in chronological order. Twice picks up where Once left off , and it includes several hits not included on...
, a live recording of the song from 1991 replaced the single version.