Throwing Muses' Most Popular Hits

One of the most innovative and quirky pop bands to come out of the American Northeast in the 1980s, Throwing Muses has enjoyed a long career and a number of lineup changes, all of which have contributed to the band's ever-evolving style. However, that style is always anchored by leader Kristin Hersh's feverish melodies and lyrics, which have resulted in a number of memorable, catchy songs.

"Sinkhole"

Kristin Hersh started Throwing Muses with her stepsister Tanya Donelly when they were both still in high school, but they quickly demonstrate a remarkable maturity with their music. In these early years, the songs always seem to teeter on the verge of losing control, with Hersh's yelping vocals over a rickety assemblage of folk and rockabilly instrumentation. In 1985, the band scored a hit with its demo song "Sinkhole." This bizarre slice of Americana's catchy melody was a breath of fresh air among the washes of me-too synth deluging college radio stations in the New Wave era.

"Counting Backwards"

Released as part of the 1991 album "The Real Ramona," "Counting Backwards" is a good summation of the band's development from the febrile, eclectic music of the early years to the more straightforward rock of the 1990s. This song's funky beat and memorable melody made it a hit on the U.S. Modern Rock chart.

"Bright Yellow Gun"

Although Throwing Muses had a number of good albums in the ten years between 1985 and 1995, it had no hit singles. All of this changed with the release of the song "Bright Yellow Gun." With the power of a big record company behind it, this infectious song took over radios across the country. A large part of the song's appeal comes from its poppy melody, which contrasts sharply with the cryptic, dangerous implications of the lyrics: "With your bright yellow gun, you own the sun / And I think I need a little poison."

Throwing Muses is one of the most creative bands to come out of the American music scene in the 1990s. For a true appreciation of this band, people should throw themselves into not only in the singles, but also in the varied, intelligent and feverish world of Throwing Muses' many albums.