Song of the Day" Edie (Ciao Baby)" by The Cult

Pictured here is cult leader Ian Astbury. Actually, he is the lead singer of the band The Cult. I can't love music by The Cult purely, without a tiny touch of irony, because the band is so dramatic and earnest, without a hint of humor. And yet, I absolutely love the song "Edie (Ciao Baby)," tribute to doomed Warhol It Girl Edie Sedgwick.

She was a model who rose to prominence after being featured in a number of short films by Andy Warhol.

Unfortunately, her life was marred by eating disorders, mental problems and drug dependency, and she died due to a combination of drugs and alcohol before she was 30. Sorry to bring you down, but that's the truth, according to Wikipedia.

I haven't yet seen the biography of Sedgwick's life, "Factory Girl," starring Sienna Miller as Sedgwick. I think I'd have to be in the right mood to watch it. I'm not a huge fan of tragedy. I know "Death of a Salesman" by Arthur Miller is brilliant and "The Glass Menagerie" by Henrik Ibsen is brilliant and Tennessee Williams' "A Streetcar Named Desire" and John Steinbeck's "Of Mice and Men" is brilliant, but they also make me real sad. I was absolutely destroyed when I saw much of "The Elephant Man" as a small child, peeking through the door to our "TV room" as my parents watched the movie.

 Anyhow, back to The Cult. The lyrics of "Edie (Ciao Baby) are some of Ian Astbury's most dramatic.

"Always said you were a Youth-quaker, Edie. A stormy little world shaker . Warhol's darling queen, Edie  (He really gets into it here. . . ) An angel with a broken wing."

"The dogs lay at your feet, Edie. And we caressed your cheek. Stars wrapped in your hair, Edie. Life without a care. But you're not there."

 "Caught up in an endless scene, Edie. Paradise a shattered dream. Wired on the pills you took, Edie. Your innocence dripped blood, sweet child."

"The dogs lay at your feet, Edie. We caressed your cheek. Stars wrapped in your hair. Life without a care. Ciao, baby!"

"Sweet little sugar talker. "Paradise dream stealer. Warhol's little queen, Edie. An angel with a broken wing . . .Why did you kiss the world goodbye? (Ciao, Baby!) Don't you know paradise takes time? (Ciao, Edie!)  . . . Ciao, Baby! Ciao, Baby! Ciao, Baby! Ciao, Baby!

Ian Asterbury's delivery is all but operatic. He is committed to that song. As a result, it makes for some enjoyable car karaoke. Are you unfamiliar with the song, or experiencing a wave of nostalgia? Check out the vid.

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