| Christine | |
| Cover: | Siouxsie Christine.jpg |
| Type: | single |
| Artist: | Siouxsie and the Banshees |
| Album: | Kaleidoscope |
| B-Side: | Eve White, Eve Black |
| Released: | 30 May 1980 |
| Format: | 7" vinyl // 'format' parameter removed, August 2020 --> |
| Recorded: | 1980 |
| Genre: | Post-punk |
| Length: | 3:00 |
| Label: | Polydor |
| Prev Title: | Happy House |
| Prev Year: | 1980 |
| Next Title: | Israel |
| Next Year: | 1981 |
"Christine" is a song by English rock band Siouxsie and the Banshees, written by Siouxsie Sioux and Steven Severin. It was released in 1980 by Polydor as the second single from the then-unreleased third album, Kaleidoscope. The title of said album also comes from a lyric in "Christine".
"Christine" marked a change in musical direction for the band, with new guitarist John McGeoch. The song begins with a distinctive riff played on an acoustic guitar. The post-chorus instrumentation includes electronic organ. The close of the song utilizes a strong flanging effect. The lyrics were inspired by the book The Three Faces of Eve which related the story of Christine Sizemore, a woman who reportedly had 22 different personalities.
The B-side, "Eve White/Eve Black", continues with the theme. Bassist Steven Severin stated in the liner notes for Downside Up: "Again a companion piece to the A side 'Christine'. Eve White and Eve Black were two of Christine Sizemore's more extraordinary personalities, constantly at war."[1]
The band shot a music video for the song with director Clive Richardson, another music video was filmed on the same set for the song "Red Light".[2] Neither featured McGeoch as he was not an artist signed on Polydor yet.[3]
"Christine" was released as a single on 30 May 1980. It peaked at number 22 in the UK Singles Chart.[4]
The song was covered by Red Hot Chili Peppers with John Frusciante on guitar at their V2001 Festival performance,[5] and by Simple Minds on the deluxe edition of their Graffiti Soul album in 2009.