The Staircase (Mystery)

"The Staircase (Mystery)" is a song by English post-punk band Siouxsie and the Banshees, released as a stand-alone single in 1979 by record label Polydor. The track was written by Siouxsie Sioux, Steven Severin, John McKay and Kenny Morris, and was produced by Nils Stevenson. The B-side of the single was a cover of the T. Rex song "20th Century Boy".

Release

Siouxsie and the Banshees. From left to right, Kenny Morris, John McKay, Steven Severin and Siouxsie

"The Staircase (Mystery)" was released as a stand-alone single and the band's second in total on 23 March 1979 by record label Polydor. It became the group's second top 40 hit, peaking at number 24 in the UK Singles Chart.^[1]

The track later surfaced on the singles compilation album Once Upon a Time: The Singles. When The Scream was remastered and reissued in 2005 with bonus material, "The Staircase (Mystery)" was included in the package.

Reception

Melody Maker hailed the single and wrote: "The Banshees have been able to come up with a couple of slices of excellent music for their singles. 'The Staircase' hasn't anywhere near the commercial potential or immediacy of "Hong Kong Garden", but nevertheless it's a great song. A sinister almost mesmerising tune, dominated by Siouxsie's unorthodox vocals – it grows and matures with each play."^[2]

Legacy

The song was later praised by Tim Burgess of The Charlatans:

"Hong Kong Garden" had been a false alarm – the poppier end of the Banshees had sneaked them into the mainstream but with 'Staircase' ester the majesty and true searing darkness of the band came out to play.^[3]

Personnel

Siouxsie and the Banshees

Siouxsie Sioux – vocals
Steven Severin – bass guitar
John McKay – guitar
Kenny Morris – drums

Technical

Nils Stevenson – production

References

↑ Johns, Brian (1989). Entranced: The Siouxsie and the Banshees Story. Omnibus Press. p. 94. ISBN 0-7119-1773-6.
↑ "The Staircase [review]". Melody Maker. 24 March 1979.
↑ Robb, John (14 October 2013). "Tim Burgess ' The First 10 Punk Singles I Bought': Siouxsie and the Banshees". Louder Than War. Retrieved 23 February 2015.

Siouxsie and the Banshees

Siouxsie Sioux Steven Severin Marco Pirroni Sid Vicious Kenny Morris Peter Fenton John McKay Budgie Robert Smith John McGeoch John Valentine Carruthers Martin McCarrick Jon Klein Knox Chandler

Studio albums	The Scream Join Hands Kaleidoscope Juju A Kiss in the Dreamhouse Hyæna Tinderbox Through the Looking Glass Peepshow Superstition The Rapture

Live albums	Nocturne The Seven Year Itch At the BBC

Compilation albums	Once Upon a Time: The Singles Twice Upon a Time: The Singles The Best of Siouxsie and the Banshees Voices on the Air: The Peel Sessions

Other albums	Downside Up

EPs	The Thorn

Singles	"Hong Kong Garden" "The Staircase (Mystery)" "Playground Twist" "Mittageisen" "Happy House" "Christine" "Israel" "Spellbound" "Arabian Knights" "Fireworks" "Slowdive" "Melt!" "Dear Prudence" "Swimming Horses" "Dazzle" "Overground" "Cities in Dust" "Candyman" "This Wheel's on Fire" "The Passenger" "Song from the Edge of the World" "Peek-a-Boo" "The Killing Jar" "The Last Beat of My Heart" "Kiss Them for Me" "Shadowtime" "Fear (Of the Unknown)" "Face to Face" "O Baby" "Stargazer"

Other songs	"Tattoo"

Videos	Nocturne The Seven Year Itch At the BBC The Best of Siouxsie and the Banshees

Related articles	Discography Personnel The Creatures The Glove Bromley Contingent

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