Alec Eiffel

"Alec Eiffel" is a song by the American alternative rock band Pixies, and is the third track on their 1991 album Trompe le Monde. The song was written and sung by frontman Black Francis, produced by Gil Norton and recorded during the album's recording sessions. "Alec Eiffel" was released as a single in France, the United Kingdom and the United States, and was their third single from the album.

Not to be confused with Alexandre Gustave Eiffel.
"Alec Eiffel"
Single by Pixies
from the album Trompe le Monde
A-side"Alec Eiffel"
B-side
  • American version:
  • "Letter to Memphis" (Instrumental)
  • "Build High"
  • "Evil Hearted You"
  • International version
  • "Motorway to Roswell"
  • "Planet of Sound" (Live)
  • "Tame" (Live)
Released1991 (1991)
Recorded1991
Master Control, Burbank;
Pacifique, Burbank;
Studio des dames, Paris;
Blackwing Studios, London.
GenreAlternative rock
Length2:50
LabelElektra
Songwriter(s)Black Francis
Producer(s)Gil Norton
Pixies singles chronology
"Planet of Sound"
(1991)		 "Alec Eiffel"
(1991)		 "Letter to Memphis"
(1991)

Melody and lyrics

The song references the French engineer Alexandre Gustave Eiffel, who designed the Eiffel Tower and the Statue of Liberty; Francis thought it was a "fascinating subject" to compose a song about. Francis also mentioned another meaning of the song: "Because of Alexandre Gustave Eiffel, but also because it's funny: in Australia, you often say 'It's a smart Alec' for [sic] a guy who's nice but not very bright.",[1] although in reality, Australians generally use the word to describe someone who is speaking out of turn; often in a way that makes them appear more intelligent than the person or group they are addressing. In Britain and the United States - a "smart Alec" is the exact opposite of Francis' description—someone who is intelligent, but mean or sarcastic.

Video

"Alec Eiffel" is a tribute to the famous French engineer Alexandre Gustave Eiffel, designer of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The song's video features the band playing in a wind-tunnel, a reference to the "pioneer of aerodynamics," with physics formulas in the background.

Critical reaction

The British magazine Melody Maker later commented on Francis' songwriting technique and the song itself: "According to Charles, the song started with Eiffel, then he started to [sic] singing the words Eiffel, rifle, trifle, and suddenly 'everything fell into place'. It's not certain whether lines like 'little Eiffel stands in the archway, even though it doesn't make no sense' are an observation of the lunacy of the architecture or the song itself, which features a Sixties' -style zither!"[1] (Francis is actually singing "keeping low, it don't make no sense", rather than "even though" which answers Melody Maker's question.)

Formats and track listing

All tracks are written by Black Francis, unless otherwise noted.

French CD single and UK 12"/CD single
No.TitleLength
1."Alec Eiffel" (On the French CD single, tracks one and two are switched.[2])2:50
2."Motorway to Roswell"4:43
3."Planet of Sound" (Live at Brixton Academy, July 26, 1991)2:26
4."Tame" (Live at Brixton Academy, July 26, 1991)2:27
UK 7" single
No.TitleLength
1."Alec Eiffel"2:50
2."Motorway to Roswell"4:43
US CD single (1992)
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Alec Eiffel" 2:50
2."Letter to Memphis" (Instrumental) 2:42
3."Build High" 1:43
4."Evil Hearted You"Graham Gouldman2:37

Cover versions

References
  1. "Pixies Titles/Names". Alec Eiffel. Retrieved 2007-02-06.
  2. "Pixies Discography - EPs and singles". Alec Eiffel. Archived from the original on 23 February 2007. Retrieved 2007-02-06.
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