Dig For Fire (Review)

Dig For Fire, from the 1990 album Bossanova, is a track bristling with positive energy. Francis employs his tell-tale lyrical style to set up a scenario of ordinary people searching for the elusive spark of inspiration itself.

A steady, industrial beat pounds away as muted rhythm guitars excitedly pluck their way through the verses, building to an explosive chorus where Kim Deal and Black Francis sing in blissful, alt/pop harmony. There are hints of early grunge here, but the track still finds its home sitting snugly amongst the high energy, ready-for-radio material of the late 1980s.

The listener is taken on a journey that parallels the storyline of Dig For Fire. As the track progresses, it drives harder and deeper, literally digging a path to a luscious core. The "Dig" could be interpreted as an inward search of the self, for the existence of a youthful exuberance that is so often forgotten with the onset of adulthood. As with many other Pixies songs penned by Francis, a distinct rebellion against popular behavioral expectations is prevalent.

A consistent highlight of any Pixies concert, Dig For File is overwhelmingly successful in its mission to stir passion within an audience. Each individual is encouraged to embark upon their own "Dig" and to embrace what is found at the very center of their being.

Francis has been quoted as saying Dig For Fire was a tribute to the Talking Heads band, but most likely he was reacting to criticism that the song was musically an imitation of the Talking Heads: "It's all nonsense, a bad Talking Heads imitation[?] Just like any other cool rock 'n roll song or pop song, the CONTENT isn't what hits you. I mean, what the hell is London Calling? I don't know anything about stupid English punk politics, but London Calling sounds TOTALLY...." [Music Express, October 1990]

Rating: 5 of 5 Stars

— MK

The Pixies are one of those bands that manage to appeal to an extremely diverse cross section of society. As time passes, they claim an even greater entitlement to their reputation as one of the coolest American indie/alternative bands in history. Referenced openly by contemporary acts such as Placebo and Nirvana, and featured in the soundtracks to groundbreaking films such as Fight Club, this Boston band formed in Massachusetts in 1986. Members Black Francis, Joey Santiago, Kim Deal, and David Lovering succumbed to a spiraling demise of post 80s excess in 1993. The group disbanded for a time, before reuniting in 2004.

Dig or Fire (Lyrics)

There is this old woman 
She lives down the road 
You can often find her 
Kneeling inside of her hole 
And I often ask her 
"Are you looking for the mother lode?" 
Huh? 
No 
No my child, this is not my desire, 
And then she said

I'm digging for fire 
I'm digging for fire 
I'm digging for fire 
I'm digging for fire

There is this old man 
Who spent so much of his life sleeping 
That he is able to keep awake for the rest of his years 
He resides 
On a beach 
In a town 
Where I am going to live 
And I often ask him 
"Are you looking for the mother lode?" 
Huh? 
No 
No my child, this is not my desire, 
And then he said

I'm digging for fire 
I'm digging for fire 
I'm digging for fire  
I'm digging for fire

Contact Information:

The Pixies 
pixiesmusic.com 
facebook.com/pixiesofficial

Dig For Fire (Studio)