"Tattoo" is a song written by

Siouxsie and the Banshees Siouxsie and the Banshees were a British rock band formed in London in 1976 by vocalist Siouxsie Sioux and bass guitarist Steven Severin. They have been widely influential, both over their contemporaries and with later acts. ''Q'' magazine in ...

that was first released as the B-side of the "

Dear Prudence "Dear Prudence" is a song by the English rock band the Beatles from their 1968 double album ''The Beatles'' (also known as "the White Album"). The song was written by John Lennon and credited to the Lennon–McCartney partnership. Written in ...

" single in 1983.Paytress, Mark. "Downside Up" (liner notes- 4 cds Boxset). Universal, 2004 It was included on two compilations: 2004's ''

Downside Up ''Downside Up'' is a four-disc box set collecting B-sides and bonus material from the catalogue of Siouxsie and the Banshees. Also included (on disc four) is '' The Thorn'' EP, originally released in 1984. Most of these songs (only presen ...

'' and 2015's ''Spellbound : The Collection''. "Tattoo" was composed and performed as a three-piece by singer

Siouxsie Sioux Susan Janet Ballion (born 27 May 1957), known professionally as Siouxsie Sioux, is an English singer, songwriter, musician and record producer. She was the lead singer of the rock band Siouxsie and the Banshees (1976–1996). They released 11 ...

, bassist Steven Severin and drummer Budgie. During this era, the band experimented other ways of recording and orchestration when they were in the studio to record extra-tracks for their singles. For "Tattoo", producer Mike Hedges made them use the mixing desk as an instrument. With his assistance, they recorded a track with whispered voices, droning basslines and slow drum beats. The result was spooky and atmospheric. "Tattoo" is considered to be a proto

trip hop Trip hop (sometimes used synonymously with "downtempo") is a musical genre that originated in the early 1990s in the United Kingdom, especially Bristol. It has been described as a psychedelic music, psychedelic fusion of hip hop music, hip hop ...

track which helped Tricky when he shaped his style. This ''

film noir Film noir (; ) is a cinematic term used primarily to describe stylish Hollywood crime dramas, particularly those that emphasize cynical attitudes and motivations. The 1940s and 1950s are generally regarded as the "classic period" of American ' ...

'' track is often cited as inspirational in the development of the trip hop genre. "Tattoo" was covered by Tricky in 1996 as the opening number of his second album, ''

Nearly God ''Nearly God'' is the unofficial second album by English rapper and producer Tricky. It was released in February 1996 under the pseudonym "Nearly God", which originated from an interview during which Tricky was asked "so how does it feel to be Go ...

''. It was also covered by

Jay Jay Johanson Jäje Johansson (born 11 October 1968), better known by his stage name Jay-Jay Johanson, is a Swedish-British singer-songwriter, known for his melancholic vocals. His music has integrated the trip hop genre until he switched his sound to a more ...

in 2022. ''

NME ''New Musical Express'' (''NME'') is a British music, film, gaming, and culture website and brand. Founded as a newspaper in 1952, with the publication being referred to as a 'rock inkie', the NME would become a magazine that ended up as a f ...

'' retrospectively reviewed it as "spellbinding" in 2009 while praising the four-cd box set ''Downside Up''."30 Killer B-Side And Rarities Albums You Might've Missed"
''NME''. 23 January 2009. Retrieved 15 September 2015

References

{{Siouxsie and the Banshees 1983 songs Siouxsie and the Banshees songs Songs written by Siouxsie Sioux Songs written by Budgie (musician) Songs written by Steven Severin