- From "Hong Kong Garden" to "Spellbound": A Journey Through the Singles
"Once Upon a Time: The Singles" is Siouxsie and the Banshees's 1981 compilation album featuring the band's UK single releases to date. The album featured several songs that had been released as singles yet had not appeared on any of the Banshees' four albums.
Siouxsie and the Banshees were masters of the single. Their songs, often propelled by Siouxsie Sioux's hypnotic vocals and swirling, experimental arrangements, were miniature sonic dramas in their own right. In 1981, the band encapsulated this strength with "Once Upon a Time: The Singles," a compilation that brought together their most potent standalone releases.
While the album served a practical purpose – compiling non-album singles for broader accessibility – it's more than just a collection. "Once Upon a Time" captures the band's thrilling evolution during their formative years. Early hits like the jagged "Hong Kong Garden" and the hypnotic "The Staircase (Mystery)" showcase the Banshees' raw post-punk energy, while later singles like the icy "Spellbound" and the playfully macabre "Arabian Knights" reveal the band's growing sophistication and embrace of darker, more atmospheric textures.
Crucially, several of these tracks hadn't appeared on any of the Banshees' existing four studio albums. "Once Upon a Time," then, was both a convenient entry point for fans and a treasure trove of essential material that painted a fuller picture of the band's development.
The album's artwork adds another layer of appeal. The front, back, and inner sleeve feature dynamic collages of photos showcasing Siouxsie Sioux's ever-changing looks and the band's striking stage presence. This visual mosaic reinforces the compilation's role as a time capsule, preserving moments of the band's thrilling growth and creative risk-taking.
Siouxsie and the Banshees continued to release groundbreaking albums throughout the 1980s and beyond, but "Once Upon a Time: The Singles" remains a compelling snapshot of a band at their most daring and immediate. It celebrates the unique power of the single format and highlights the band's undeniable impact on the alternative music scene.
Music Genre: British Post-Punk Rock , Gothic Rock |
Album Production Information: The album: "SIOUXSIE & THE BANSHEES - Once Upon a Time The Singles" was produced by: Nils Stevenson, Steve Lillywhite |
Record Label & Catalognr: Polydor POLS-1056 |
Album Packaging: This album includes the original custom inner sleeve with album details, complete lyrics of all songs by and artwork/photos |
Media Format: 33rpm 12" Vinyl Stereo Gramophone RecordTotal Album (Cover+Record) weight: 230 gram |
Year & Country: 1981 Made in England |
Complete Track-listing of the album "SIOUXSIE & THE BANSHEES - Once Upon a Time The Singles" |
The detailed tracklist of this record "SIOUXSIE & THE BANSHEES - Once Upon a Time The Singles" is:
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High Quality Photo of Album Front Cover "SIOUXSIE & THE BANSHEES - Once Upon a Time The Singles" |
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Album Back Cover Photo of "SIOUXSIE & THE BANSHEES - Once Upon a Time The Singles" |
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Inner Sleeve of "SIOUXSIE & THE BANSHEES - Once Upon a Time The Singles" Album |
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Photo of "SIOUXSIE & THE BANSHEES - Once Upon a Time The Singles" Album's Inner Sleeve |
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Close-up Photo of "SIOUXSIE & THE BANSHEES - Once Upon a Time The Singles" Record Label |
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Note: The images on this page are photos of the actual album. Slight differences in color may exist due to the use of the camera's flash. |
"Once Upon a Time: The Singles" is Siouxsie and the Banshees's 1981 compilation album featuring the band's UK single releases to date. The album featured several songs that had been released as singles yet had not appeared on any of the Banshees' four albums.
Once Upon a Time "The Singles" 12" Vinyl LP
"Spellbound" is the song recorded by British rock band Siouxsie and the Banshees in 1981. The track was written by the Banshees and co-produced with Nigel Gray. It was the first single released from the Banshees' fourth album Juju.
Spellbound 7" Vinyl Single
"This Wheel's on Fire" is a song written by Bob Dylan and Rick Danko, and it was popularized by the British rock band Siouxsie and the Banshees. The band recorded a version of the song in 1988, which was included on their album "Peepshow".
This Wheel's on Fire 12" Maxi Single
Siouxsie and the Banshees' 1987 album, "Through the Looking Glass," is a testament to their musical versatility. Featuring cover versions of songs by various artists, the album reflects the band's creative prowess.
Through The Looking Glass 12" Vinyl LP