Apologies for skipping last week, though this is only for myself. I wanted to do it, and I had woken up with it on my mind, but completely spaced out the rest of the day. Go me!

And anyhow: you knew it was coming! :D

Continuing the Artist collection of “Songs of Tess”, Placebo is a british rock band, and my favourite of all time. Not only are their sexualities echoed in their music (the bassist is gay, and the leader singer is bi-sexual and very androgynous), but their music is not over and beyond, and quite simplistic (which is the opposite of « Blood Brothers, who are very extravagant, another reason why I chose Placebo next), and their mix of electronica – later albums, anyway! – makes me squee quite a bit!

I found Placebo from a friend – Melissa », actually – who played “English Summer Rain”, “Every You Every Me” and “Pure Morning”. I decided to download them, looking for new music, and a handful of other songs, and the rest as they say is history. Brian’s, the leader singer, voice is nasally, and I’ve heard that’s annoying, and they’re not everyone’s cup o’ tea, but if I had to suggest a band, Placebo would be one of them. Onto the epic playlist!

Quick note: I didn’t include their third album, Black Market Music, because I have yet to listen to it fully.

Nancy Boy from Placebo

A song from their self-titled debut album, and it never fails to send butterflies through my stomach. I’ve listened to Nancy Boy on current current Last.fm account » over 1,100+ times. It’d be a bit redundant going on and on about it being my favourite song, yes?

Does his makeup in his room
Douse himself with cheap perfume
Eyeholes in a paper bag
greatest lay I ever had

Every You Every Me from Without You I’m Nothing

This is what I think is their most known song, as it was featured in Cruel Intentions, though I didn’t know it was in the movie – a movie, I might add, I watched a number of times – and the sister didn’t either; she actually found this song through me!

Like the naked leads the blind
I know I’m selfish, I’m unkind
Sucker love I always find someone to bruise and leave behind

I think it fit Cruel Intentions quite well – the song depicts a… erm, not very calm relationship, but one both partners indulged in anyway.

Pure Morning from Without You I’m Nothing

Pure Morning is considered one of their more known songs, but I couldn’t resist slapping this up here!

A friend in needs a friend indeed
My Japanese is better
And when she’s pressed she will undress
And then she’s boxing clever

English Summer Rain from Sleeping With Ghosts

Sleeping With Ghosts was and is a beautiful album, there’s no other word for it. It had it’s rock, it’s soft song (every awesometastic album has this!) and enough individuality from the members, plus experimentation, that is was simply Placebo. “English Summer Rain” is my favourite song next to “Nancy Boy”, as it’s very soothing, but very… instrumental at the same time. Kind of hard to explain! /goes to lyrics

Hold your breath and count to ten
Start again, start again…

No idea what English summer rain is like, but… well, that’s Florida for you at the very least (insert rage!smilies here).

Sleeping With Ghosts from Sleeping With Ghosts

Sleeping With Ghosts is a really beautiful song in its own right, but the lyrics are quite awesome, and the music is so serene. You can look at this in a romantic light, or a platonic one – the latter being my sister; I kind of feel we are “soulmates”, and not just because were siblings. I know it seems extreme, but a) it’s me and b) I could listen to this song forever.

Hush
It’s okay
Dry your eye
Dry your eye
Soulmate dry your eye
Dry your eye
Soulmate dry your eye
Cause soulmates never die

The Bitter End from Sleeping With Ghosts

Most relationships I’ve ever seen – whether from a friend or a family members – have ended badly, or at least on a bad note. I, myself, have had a friendship that ended this way. Whether Brian, the lyricist for this song, realises it or not, songs like this go a long way. /teary eyed

From the time we intercepted
Feels a lot like suicide
Slow and sad, grown inside us
Arouse and see you’re mine
(See you at the bitter end)

Because I Want You from Meds

Meds will forever be my favourite album from Placebo – which, after Sleeping With Ghosts, says a lot! – not only for it’s electronic feel, but because the lyrics are darker, they’re grittier, and the music is just intense! “Because I Want You” is a little self-explanatory, but a wonderful song, nonetheless.

Fall in to you, is all I ever do!
When I hit the bottle, ’cause I’m afraid to be alone… tear us in two, tear us in two, tear us in two…

Infra-Red from Meds

According to Brian, “Infra-Red” is about getting drunk, thinking about something that happened, and dealing with the person(s) involved, coupled with everything that has happened to you. I can relate to this a lot; there was an instance where I did nothing wrong, and I’ve always wanted to confront the person involved about it. Not that I get drunk and do this or anything, but I know those emotions are in most people. :P

One more thing before we start the final face-off
I will be the one to watch you fall
So I came down to crash and burn your beggar’s banquet

If you are (drunk and) feeling vindictive and don’t want anyone to know about it, give it a listen – it was quite a balm for me when I was facing that situation!

Post Blue from Meds

The album “Meds” was apparently about substance abuse, being drunk, etc., so I kind of take “Post Blue” as a healthier (in the love department) version to “The Bitter End”, with a tragic turn (the graphic lyrics of drug use and sex).

It’s in the water baby
It’s in the pills that pick you up
It’s in the water baby
It’s in the special way we fuck
It’s in the water baby
It’s in your family tree
It’s in the water baby
It’s between you and me

It’s intense, to say the least, but I do love the repeated “I’d break the back of love for you”, because quite honestly, that’s romantic – something I’m sure Placebo probably didn’t intend. :P

Kitty Litter from Battle For the Sun

I have admittedly been lax on not listening to their newest album, but I’ve got a couple of ones I love, and “Kitty Litter” reminds me of old school Placebo. The repeated lyric, “I need a change of skin”, kind of explains the song, especially coupled with “Kitty Litter”.

The way you’re moving
Hips from side to side
Makes you all that I desire
Bathsheba of my choosing and I’m so unsatisfied
You’re all that I require

That is sadly it, and what a ride!