"Face to Face" is a song that was created for Batman Returns and included on its soundtrack. The track was performed by English rock band, Siouxsie and the Banshees. It was composed by the Banshees in collaboration with Danny Elfman, with additional production by Stephen Hague.
Production[]
In the Melody Maker, the Stud Brothers wrote: "it's a slow, heavily orchestral & sensuously tense piece with Siouxsie first tapt, then cracked and finally spiraling off into the ether".[1]
The song features strings which built to a dramatic conclusion. Thanks to Elfman's involvement, the song featured elements from his score to the film. Lyrically, the song made indirect references to Batman Returns characters Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle. "Face to Face" was heard in the film during the Masquerade Ball scene in which the characters danced together, and did not realize that, as their alter-egos (Batman and Catwoman), they were enemies. The lyrics reflected the characters' conflict ("...Cheek to cheek / the bittersweet / commit your crime / in your deadly time / It's too divine / I want to bend / I want this bliss / but something says I must resist..."). At one point, Siouxsie could be heard purring like a cat, which was a reference to Catwoman.
"Face to Face" peaked at number twenty-one in the UK singles chart. It also performed well on American alternative rock radio, where the single peaked at number seven on the U.S. Modern Rock Tracks chart. Remixes of "Face to Face" were produced by 808 State.
Lyrics[]
Face to face, my lovely foe Mouth to mouth, raining heaven's blows Hand on heart, tic tac toe Under the stars, naked as we flow
Cheek to cheek, the bitter sweet Commit your crime in your deadly time It's too divine, I want to bend I want this bliss, awww, but something says I must resist
Another life, another time We're Siamese twins writhing intertwined Face to face, no telling lies The masks they slide to reveal a new disguise
You never can win, it's the state I'm in This danger thrills and my conflict kills They say follow your heart, follow it through But how can you, when it's split in two?
And you'll never know You'll never know
One more kiss, before we die Face to face, and dream of flying Who are you?, who am I? Wind in wings, two angels falling
To die like this, with a last kiss It's falsehood's flame, it's a crying shame Face to face, the passions breathe I hate to stay... but then I hate to leave
And you'll never know No, you'll never know
No, no You'll never know You'll never know You'll never know You'll never know
Music Video[]
Face To Face (Batman Returns Version)
Charts[]
| Chart (1992) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart | 21 |
| U.S. Billboard Modern Rock Tracks | 7 |
| Swedish Singles Chart | 23 |
Release history[]
- The track also appeared on the Siouxsie and the Banshees compilation album, Twice Upon a Time: The Singles.
References[]
- ↑ Melody Maker, The Stud Brothers, 11 July 1992