"Godstar" is a 1985 single by Psychic TV, the experimental group led by Genesis P-Orridge, with contributions from The Angels of Light. The song stands out as one of the band’s most melodic and accessible releases, achieving cult classic status and becoming their only significant chart hit, reaching No. 1 on the UK Indie Chart and No. 67 on the UK Singles Chart12.
Subject and Themes
"Godstar" is a tribute to Brian Jones, the founder and original guitarist of The Rolling Stones. The lyrics and tone reflect both admiration and melancholy, focusing on Jones’s charisma, beauty, and tragic, mysterious death in 1969. The song mythologizes Jones as a "Godstar," lamenting his fate and the way his story was overshadowed or forgotten by friends and history345.
Genesis P-Orridge was fascinated by Jones, describing him as "the goat of Pan, the scapegoat, the goat that was sacrificed and he was a symbol of the age encapsulating all that was beautiful and all that was terrible"26. The song’s lyrics directly reference the circumstances of Jones’s death and the sense of lost potential:
"Where were you when the stars went out?
Where were you when they started to shout?
...
I saw your body in the water
Like a lamb going to the slaughter
...
They started to steal your glory
They never even told your story" 4
Release and Reception
- Released in multiple formats in 1985, including 7" and 12" vinyl, with several remixes and B-sides1.
- Featured on the album Allegory & Self (1988), considered one of Psychic TV’s most accessible and song-oriented records5.
- The song was promoted as the theme for a planned feature film about Brian Jones, but the film was never released and is widely believed never to have existed1.
- "Godstar" was later covered by other artists, including Television Personalities and Drahla, further cementing its underground legacy12.
Musical Style
Unlike much of Psychic TV’s more experimental or abrasive material, "Godstar" is driven by jangly guitars, a catchy melody, and a wistful, almost celebratory atmosphere. Its pop sensibility, combined with its haunting subject matter, gives the song a unique, enduring appeal35.
Legacy
"Godstar" remains a touchstone of 1980s alternative and post-punk music, celebrated for its emotional honesty and its poignant tribute to a lost icon. It is frequently cited as one of the essential tracks for understanding both Psychic TV and the cult of Brian Jones5.
Key Facts Table
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Artist | Psychic TV |
| Release Year | 1985 |
| Album | Allegory & Self (1988) |
| Subject | Brian Jones (The Rolling Stones) |
| UK Indie Chart | No. 1 |
| UK Singles Chart | No. 67 |
| Notable Covers | Television Personalities, Drahla |
| Style | Melodic, jangly, alternative pop |
| Notable Lyric | "Godstar, Godstar... Brian, Brian, Brian" |
"Godstar" endures as a moving, enigmatic tribute—both a pop song and a piece of musical mythmaking—honoring Brian Jones’s legacy and Psychic TV’s singular vision145.
