"Tattoo" is a song written and recorded by Siouxsie and the Banshees in 1983. Its proto-trip-hop arrangements and production predated the trip-hop genre that would appear in the mid-1990s.
Release
The song was first released as the B-side of the "Dear Prudence" single in 1983. It was included on two compilations: 2004's Downside Up and 2015's Spellbound : The Collection.
Music and recording
"Tattoo" was composed and performed as a three-piece by singer Siouxsie Sioux, bassist Steven Severin and drummer Budgie. During this era, the band experimented other ways of recording and orchestration when they were in the studio to record extra-tracks for their singles. For "Tattoo", producer Mike Hedges made them use the mixing desk as an instrument.
Legacy
"Tattoo" is considered to be a proto trip hop track which helped Tricky when he shaped his style. This track is often cited as inspirational in the development of the trip hop genre. "Tattoo" was covered by Tricky in 1996 as the opening number of his second album, Nearly God. It was also covered by Jay Jay Johanson in 2022.
NME retrospectively reviewed it as "spellbinding" in 2009 when reviewing Downside Up.
In 2024, "Tattoo" was included on the vinyl compilation FIP Trip Hop - made by FIP and Radio France - about the trip hop genre, its roots and its history.
Personnel
- Siouxsie Sioux - voice
- Steven Severin - harmonic and drone basses
- Budgie : timbales, snares, piano and vocal percussion
References
