Meaning of Gigantic by Pixies & The Story Behind

A small test for vulgarity. What do you think if you know that a song about the secret love of a black man and a white woman is called Gigantic?

No, we have not moved into the category of adult sites. It’s just about the history of creation and the meaning of the famous Pixies song. It did not do well on the charts, but became one of the most popular tracks by the American rock band.

The story of creation & the meaning of the song Gigantic

It all started with a guitar riff composed by Black Francis. He also came up with the name of the future track. Let’s listen to the author:

Nice chord progression heavily influenced by Lou Reed. The word “gigantic” popped into my head as the chord progression seemed very significant to me.

Select, 1997

The lyrics were written by Kim Deal and her husband John Murphy. Now the former husband of the singer spoke about the history of the creation of Gigantic:

Charles [Black Francis] wrote a riff, but he wasn’t sure about the lyrics, so he asks, “Kim, would you like to take it on? All I know is that I want to call it Gigantic.” And she replies, “Good.” So, she comes home with a riff and plays it on the guitar, and I say: “Gigantic – maybe it’s a big mall?” She replies, “Okay, let’s try this for now.” Then I continue: “The mall, the mall, let’s have a ball,” and wrote down the line. Then it was changed to “hey, Paul” for the sake of rhyme.

Then, a couple of days later, she fixated on Crimes of the Heart, about Sissy Spacek and a farmer. It looks like he was black. The farmer and Sissy Spacek started dating – that’s what the song is about. Forbidden love affair.

Fool the World 2004

Is it any wonder that for many listeners the word “giant” in this context evoked obscene thoughts.

Kim also talked about what the Gigantic song is about:

It’s about… watching a young guy and an older woman, a married woman older than him, meet. They have sex. Sex between a black guy and a white woman. In the fifties, when this was akin to a taboo.

VPRO, 1988

Release and achievements

In August 1988, the track Gigantic was released as the first single from the album Surfer Rosa, the third in the Pixies’ discography. He did not hit the major charts.

Video of Gigantic by Pixies

There is no official music video for the song Gigantic, so we are watching a recording of the band’s live performance in 1988.

Interesting Facts

  • The album and single versions of the song have significant differences in melody.
  • Pixies fans enthusiastically greet Gigantic at concerts and often ask to play it as an encore.
  • On the cover of the Gigantic single, the child of one of the employees of the 4AD label is depicted. The baby appears to be crying, but photographer Simon Larbalestier recalled the baby laughing throughout the shoot.

Gigantic by Pixies Lyrics

And this I know
His teeth as white as snow
What a gas it was to see him
Walk her everyday
into a shady place
With her lips she said
She said…

chorus:
Hey Paul, hey Paul, hey Paul
Let’s have a ball
Hey Paul, hey Paul, hey Paul
Let’s have a ball
Hey Paul, hey Paul, hey Paul
Let’s have a ball
Gigantic, gigantic, gigantic
A big, big love
Gigantic, gigantic, gigantic
A big, big love

Lovely legs they are
What a big black mass
What a hunk of love
He’ll walk her every day
into a shady place
Like the dark, but I’d want him

Lyrics of Gigantic by Pixies Alternate

I know for sure,
That his teeth are as white as snow
It was cool to watch him
Every day takes her away
To a shady place
And she whispered with her lips,
She said…

Chorus:
Hey Paul, hey Paul, hey Paul
Let’s have some fun
Hey Paul, hey Paul, hey Paul
Let’s have some fun
Hey Paul, hey Paul, hey Paul
Let’s have some fun
Giant, giant, giant
Big big love
Giant, giant, giant
Big big love

What beautiful legs
What a big black hulk
What a love treat
Every day he will take her away
To a shady place
Like darkness, but I would like it

Quote about the song Gigantic

It made me aware of my personality. I am unspoiled and pure!

Kim Deal, Sounds, 1988

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