"Cities in Dust" is a song written and produced by British rock band Siouxsie and the Banshees. It was released in 1985 as the first single from their seventh studio album, Tinderbox. The "Cities in Dust" 12" was the first Banshees' single release in the United States, on Geffen Records.
The song describes the city of Pompeii, destroyed in a volcanic eruption in 79 AD. Imagery describing the volcano and its magma chamber, the condition of the victims of the eruption, and the subsequent discovery and excavation of the city comprises the bulk of the lyrics.
"Cities in Dust" was a more post-punk affair than singles released by the Banshees in the previous several years. It also had more of a pop music melody than past releases from the band, although its lyrics were still dark, mentioning a shrine to Lares Familiares. Its upbeat 4/4 rhythm also made it a hit in dance clubs. "Cities in Dust" peaked at number 21 in the UK singles chart. Although not Siouxsie and the Banshees' first song to hit the U.S. Hot Dance Club Play chart, it was their first significant hit, climbing to number 17.
Cities in Dust is a Canadian indie rock band from Hamilton, Ontario. The band took its name from the Siouxsie and the Banshees song "Cities in Dust" and formed in 2003. Its members consist of Zach Frank (vocals), Craig Nordemann (bass), Simon Toye (guitar) and Matt Winters (drummer). In 2006, their debut album Night Creatures was released by independent record label Paper Bag Records.
The band was nominated for three awards at the 2006 Hamilton Music Awards: "Record of the Year", "New Artist/Group of the Year", "Alternative Recording of the Year".Night Creatures was named by Exclaim! magazine as one of the Top 10 "Punk Albums of the Year" in Canada, December 2006, and it has received heavy rotation on CBC Radio 3.
Paper Bag Records signed Cities in Dust in April 2006, in part due to the onstage antics of Frank. They also appeared at the World Electronic Music Festival in 2006.
In 2007, Cities in Dust appeared on the soundtracks of three 2K Sports video games: College Hoops 2K7, Major League Baseball 2K7 and NHL 2K8. Additionally, their song "Chop Chop You're Dead" was included in the film Superbad.
Water was running, children were running
You were running out of time
Under the mountain, a golden fountain
Were you praying at the Lares shrine?
But ohh, oh your city lies in dust, my friend
Ohh, oh, your city lies in dust, my friend
We found you hiding, we found you lying
Choking on the dirt and sand
Your former glories and all the stories
Dragged and washed with eager hands
But ohh, oh your city lies in dust, my friend
Ohh, oh your city lies in dust, my friend
Your city lies in dust
Water was running, children were running
We found you hiding, we found you lying
Water was running, children were running
We found you hiding, we found you lying
Your city lies in dust, my friend
Ohh, oh, your city lies in dust, my friend
Hot and burning in your nostrils
Pouring down your gaping mouth
Your molten bodies, blanket of cinders
Caught in the throes
And ohh, oh, your city lies in dust, my friend
Ohh, oh, your city lies in dust, my friend
Ohh, oh, your city lies in dust, my friend
Ohh, oh, your city lies in dust, my friend
Your city lies in dust, my friend
Ohh, oh, your city lies in dust, my friend