Death Valley '69

Lydia Lunch, Sonic Youth

About Death Valley '69

"Death Valley '69" is a song by American alternative rock band Sonic Youth and featuring Lydia Lunch. The song was written and sung by Thurston Moore and fellow New York musician Lunch, and recorded by Martin Bisi in 1984. A demo version of the song was released in December 1984 on Iridescence Records. A re-recorded version was released in EP format with different artwork in June 1985; this version was featured on their second studio album, Bad Moon Rising.


Year:
1999
5:10
68 
#1

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Groooooahhh!

Coming down
Sadie, I love it
Now now now
Death valley '69

You're right
You're right
You're right
You're right
You're right you were right
I was on the wrong track
We're deep in the valley
How deep in the gully
And now in the canyon
And now in the canyon
Out in the yonder way out in the yonder
She started to holler
She started to holler
I didn't wanna
I didn't wanna
I didn't wanna
I didn't wanna
But she started to holler
So I had to hit it
Hit it
Hit it
Hit it
Deep in the valley
In the trunk of an old car
In the back of a Chevy
I got sand in my mouth you got sand in your mouth
And you got sun in your eyes I got sun in your eyes
Blind blinded
And you wanted to get there
But I couldn't go faster I wanted to get there
But you couldn't go faster
So I started to hit it you couldn't go faster
So I started to hit it
I started to hit it hit it
Hit it
Hit it
Hit it
Hit it
Hit it
Hit it
Hit it
Hit it

Coming down
Sadie, I love it
Now now now
Death valley '69
Death valley '69
Death valley '69
Death valley '69
Ieieieioooooaoaoaieeih!

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Lydia Lunch

Lydia Lunch (born Lydia Anne Koch, June 2, 1959, Rochester, New York) is an American singer, poet, writer, and actress whose career was spawned by the New York No Wave scene. The Boston Phoenix named Lunch "one of the 10 most influential performers of the 1990s." more »

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Written by: KIM A. GODRON, LEE M. RANALDO, LYDIA LUNCH, ROBERT BERT, THURSTON J. MOORE

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


11 facts about this song

Collaboration Background
"Death Valley '69" was a collaborative effort between American singer-songwriter Lydia Lunch and alternative rock band Sonic Youth. Showcasing the power of uniting distinct artistic sensibilities, it represents a unique piece in both Lunch and Sonic Youth's discographies.
Release Year
The song was initially released in 1985 as part of Sonic Youth's second studio album content, "Bad Moon Rising".
Theme and Inspiration
The inspiration for the song came from the notorious Charles Manson's family and their murders that took place in Death Valley, California in 1969. As such, it is often characterized as disturbing and intense.
Music Video
The music video for the song was co-directed by American artists Judith Barry and Richard Kern. It's as notorious as the song, known for its eerie visual aesthetic designed to match the overall mood of the track.
Genre Fusion
"Death Valley '69" is a fusion of elements from noise rock, no wave, and post-punk genres. The resulting unique sound helped ushered in a new era of alternative rock in the mid-'80s.
Vocal Forefront
Lydia Lunch’s distinct raw scream is a highlight of the song, her intense and passionate vocal performance significantly added up to the overall uniquely disturbing ambiance of the track.
First Introduction
Interestingly, "Death Valley '69" was the first song which introduced many music listeners to Sonic Youth's early noise rock style.
Independent Success
Despite a lack of mainstream commercial success, "Death Valley '69" was well-received within the independent music scene, often cited as a standout track from "Bad Moon Rising".
Influential Power
"Death Valley '69" is influential for its experimental rock principles which have been said to inspire numerous later alternative bands.
Live Performances
Lydia Lunch has often joined Sonic Youth on stage for live performances of the song, further strengthening the connection between the two artists.
Re-release
In 1995, a decade after its initial release, the song was included as a bonus track for the reissue of "Bad Moon Rising". It maintains popularity and plays on streaming platforms today.

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    "Death Valley '69 Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 25 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/2862479/Lydia+Lunch/Death+Valley+%2769>.

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