Feed Me with Your Kiss

My Bloody Valentine - Feed Me with Your Kiss

Feed Me with Your Kiss is a song by the British alternative rock band My Bloody Valentine. It was released as a single in 1988 and later included on the compilation album Isn't Anything in the same year. The song showcases the band's early exploration of shoegaze, a genre characterized by its ethereal soundscapes, heavy use of guitar effects, and indistinct vocals.

Background

Feed Me with Your Kiss was recorded during a period of significant transition for My Bloody Valentine, as they moved away from their earlier post-punk sound towards a more experimental, noise-oriented approach. This shift was largely influenced by the band's leader, Kevin Shields, whose innovative guitar techniques would become a hallmark of the shoegaze genre. The song's dense, distorted sound layers and Shields' use of the tremolo arm to create a wavering, dreamlike quality in the guitar's tone were revolutionary at the time and would go on to influence a wide range of artists and bands within the alternative rock scene.

Composition

The track is notable for its aggressive guitar feedback, swirling effects, and the interplay between Shields' and Bilinda Butcher's vocals, which blend into the sonic texture rather than standing out in the mix. The rhythm section, consisting of Debbie Googe on bass and Colm Ó Cíosóig on drums, provides a solid foundation that anchors the song's swirling chaos. The lyrics are somewhat obscured by the dense mix, a characteristic feature of many My Bloody Valentine songs from this era.

Release and Reception

Upon its release, Feed Me with Your Kiss received critical acclaim for its innovative sound and was seen as a significant departure from the band's earlier work. It played a crucial role in defining the emerging shoegaze scene in the UK, alongside releases from other bands like Lush, Ride, and Slowdive. The song's impact was such that it remains a staple of My Bloody Valentine's live performances and is frequently cited as a key influence by artists within the shoegaze and wider alternative rock genres.

Legacy

The influence of Feed Me with Your Kiss extends beyond the shoegaze scene, impacting the development of various music genres, including post-rock, ambient music, and noise pop. Its innovative use of guitar effects and studio techniques has been studied and emulated by numerous musicians and producers. The song is often highlighted in retrospectives of My Bloody Valentine's career as a pivotal moment when the band found their signature sound, which they would further refine on their seminal album Loveless.