"Debaser" is a song by American alternative rock band Pixies, released in April 1989 as the opening track on their album Doolittle and later as a promotional single following the dissolution of the band.
Releases
The band's 1991 "Head On" single includes a live version of "Debaser" recorded in Chicago on August 9, 1989. The album version of the song was later released as a single in 1997 to promote the Death to the Pixies compilation.
The title "Debaser" references the fact that Un Chien Andalou "debases" contemporary morality and standards of art: "I guess it means: one who debases. A debaser. It was an attempt to introduce a new word into the lexicon, but I don’t think it’s been successful, else I would have heard about it."
In the earliest version of the song, the line "un chien andalusia" was originally "Shed, Apollonia!", a reference to a scene from Purple Rain.
Track listing
Debaser – Demo
- "Debaser" (Demo) – 2:59
- "No. 13 Baby" (Demo) – 3:10
Debaser – Live
- "Debaser" (Live in Chicago, August 10, 1989) – 2:44
- "Holiday Song" (Live in Chicago, August 10, 1989) – 2:10
- "Cactus" (Live in Chicago, August 10, 1989) – 2:27
- "Nimrod's Son" (Live in Chicago, August 10, 1989) – 3:08
Debaser – Studio
- "Debaser" – 2:52
- "Bone Machine" (Live in Netherlands, 1990) – 3:03
- "Gigantic" (Live in Netherlands, 1990) – 3:24
- "Isla de Encanta" (Live in Netherlands, 1990) – 1:44
Personnel
Credits adapted from the liner notes of Doolittle.
- Black Francis – vocals, rhythm guitar
- Kim Deal – bass guitar, backing vocals
- Joey Santiago – lead guitar, backing vocals
- David Lovering – drums
Charts
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!Chart (1997)
!Peak<br />position
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