02.19.04
Lyrics: Pieces of Lisa From Vase[S] by Dahlia
Pieces of Lisa feels different from the other songs on the album to me because it seems to tell a very specific story, one of love lost. Even though most of the lines are very specific the personal nature of the story still leaves the meaning of the song somewhat vague. In the first stanza she sings “I later traveled north to live among the roses”. Since Portland is Dahlia’s home town and it is called ‘The City of Roses’ I assume this speaks to moving to Portland from California(?). In the next line “Eyes closed I watched you dancing at The City” I capitalized The City because I believe she is not referring to the city of Portland but rather to The City, a dance club in downtown Portland that used to play house music and allow minors but closed a few years back. There are two pieces of the song that I cannot make out, the first is ” You loved your cat of nine tails each ?? silver jewelery” and the second is near the end ” I wished in that moment the need ??”. If anyone has an idea what is said here please post it, I would love to know.
Pieces of Lisa
From Vase[S] by Dahlia
You knocked upon my door, surprised me gently
We listened to The Smiths and ate fresh blueberries
I later traveled north to live among the roses
Eyes closed I watched you dancing at The City
Where are you going?
What are you waiting for?
What are you leaving behind?
Pieces of Lisa
Pieces of Lisa
Pieces of Lisa
Inseparable we were, days of drama
But we got whatever we wanted without any problem
Jump sticks coiled up in my hair, lipstick, vintage clothing
You loved your cat of nine tails each ?? silver jewelry
Where are you going?
What are you waiting for?
What are you leaving behind?
Pieces of Lisa
Pieces of Lisa
Pieces of Lisa
But as fast as time had passed I know test you paused
To spite the spider’s warning you were caught
I wished in that moment the need ??
I left with your voice in my head calling for your precious
Where are you going?
What are you waiting for?
What are you leaving behind you?
Pieces of Lisa
Pieces of Lisa
Pieces of Lisa
WendiWolf said,
March 16, 2004 at 7:32 am
Hello!
I’m not sure who I’m writing this to- but if it helps any- I MAY have a bit more info for you on this one.
I was just tonight thinking “bad thoughts” about an X and “Pieces Of Lisa” is what I would use to describe the whole thing.
To be more direct–Pieces of Lisa is EXACTLY what came to mind!
(Guess how / why I found YOU? I googled it…..)
I had been in-search-of that damn Pieces of Lisa tape all afternoon!
OK Doomsday Cafe will suffice!
I too recently moved up here to Portland from
“The City” -being San Francisco, CA.
Pieces of Lisa was a band down there in the late 80’s - early 90’s.
Umm darker side ov stuff — although I can’t remember if they were aggressive or just dark– I met them in their rehearsal studio- out by Silver Street when I was shooting footage on some other project. I have their demo around here somewhere!
Lotta local (Bay Area) bands there. But if you had black hair and a bunch of cool black clothes and owned more dog collars for YOUR throat / boots than your wolf did— chances are—you most likely had heard their stuff.
I haven’t been to see Dahlia yet since I’ve been here- it’s THE band I was most hoping to check out actually. According to this article you have going on here— I’d say I’m on the right path.
(Obviously…Unfortunately…I do not own the CD you’re referring to here.)
I know what a cat O nine tails is…..I own several. I can only guess what lyric would go there.
:-)
And the second blank as well.
Anyhooo without knowing any of the Dahlia band memebers directly (that I am aware of)- I can only speculate as to any of the symbology- but I do hope this helps..
And to hear Pieces Ov Lisa maybe get ahold ov someone at Live 105- that’s the ALT radio station - whatever that’s worth. Who knows what Can O’ Worms THAT could open up!
Yourz in Darkness~
WendiWolf
Make your own ART FILMS!
The grainy-er the better….
And then bring them to MY house for the Premier Viewing Party…….>
I’ll serve the “finger foods”
And then we can eat the guests!
Lisa said,
July 11, 2004 at 3:06 pm
Hi,
I was friends with Jennifer (lead singer) back in 89-90. She actually moved up to Portland, Oregon from the Eugene area (not San Francisco….although she did live there for a bit in the 90’s). Back then the City nightclub was really popular but it did *NOT* play house music. They played alternative, etherial & industrial dance music.
I highly doubt this song is about a band from SF…..because her best friend at the time was a girl named Lisa (I’ll leave out her last name & no, it was not me.) I believe Lisa also came from the Eugene area.
Hope that info helps
Lisa
dahliafan said,
November 12, 2004 at 12:48 am
Howdy,
With 97 Tuesdays in a row (2 years without missing a Tues at the Ohm) and having gone to probably close to 200 Dahlia shows over the last 3+ years, i think i may be able to help you out with the lyrics here
(corrections are in all CAPS)…..
CHOPsticks coiled up in my hair, lipstick, vintage clothing
You loved your cat of nine tails FISHNETS silver jewelry
But as fast as time had passed I NOTICED you paused
To spite the spider’s warning you were caught
I wished in that moment the need WOULD LEAVE US
I left with your voice in my head calling for your precious
hope this helps, i know when Jen drops into her lower ranges she can be harder to understand, but you gotta love & totally respect her range of voice - its pretty impressive and i don’t know too many musicians that could pull off what she does sometimes
It has been confirmed (via Keith’s email listings) that Dahlia will be playing New Years 2004/2005 at the Ohm……. let the joy commence!!!! I can’t think of a better way to start off theNew Year…… except if maybe Kuma (www.kumasound.com) was also playing with them. You will find me that night happily squashed in one of the front 2 rows, dancing like my usual dorky manic self
WOOOOOOHOO!
Eva said,
September 27, 2005 at 8:34 pm
Does anyone know if Dahlia is still touring? I am from Portland but now I live in San Francisco. I have both of their albums yet I have never seen them perform. I can’t seem to find a website or very much information about the band via the web. Please let me know if you have any info.
Eva
Leopoldo said,
September 28, 2005 at 6:34 am
Sorry Eva but Dahlia ceased to be when Lisa moved to New York last year. She visits Portland from time to time and performs with Keith (word is they are having a New Years show) but there are no more regular shows our tours.
Your Momma said,
April 15, 2006 at 7:16 pm
Jen has moved back into town and have started playing shows. They are playing tonight at the Ohm with Mark Farina.
Alf said,
August 9, 2006 at 9:47 am
Dahlia will be performing at a new place called Pi-rem. Here is the information from their flier:
Auditory Sculpture Records and Pi-rem presents
Dahlia: Past /Present/ Future
Come join Dahlia for an intimate gathering at Portlands newest & funkiest hybrid lounge Pi-rem. This is a very special engagment where Dahlia, in their own words will be closing the door on the first 6 years and opening a new chapter this fall. Come hear stories behind your favorite songs, weird & funny tales from the road, comments on what to expect from the future, AND THOUGHTS FROM THE PAST now that Portlands original electronic music act is back to pick up where they left off.
Followed by a special set by DJ Ravi
www.pi-rem.com
10$/21&up/Dress to impress/doors open at 9pm
First 200 people to recieve signed copy of Dahlia’s limited vinyl Teaser
elaine said,
October 17, 2006 at 3:32 pm
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
dahlia is on myspace now with new songs & all their gig info
http://www.myspace.com/dahliapdx
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