Two Pixies songs, two afterlives

Pixies' "Dig for Fire" shifts between its 1987 Albini take and later version. The Breeders' "Go Man Go" reinterprets a Pixies co-write.

Tracklist

Dig for Fire (Albini Version) — Pixies
Dig for Fire — Pixies
Go Man Go — Pixies
Go Man Go — The Breeders

Transcript

Dig for Fire (Albini Version) — Pixies

The Pixies recorded “Dig for Fire” with Steve Albini during the Surfer Rosa sessions in late 1987, three years before the Bossanova version came out. This earlier recording appeared on a bonus seven-inch before the band put it on streaming. Hear it first. When the Bossanova recording follows, what changes for you? Hear Dig for Fire (Albini Version) by Pixies.

Dig for Fire — Pixies

There’s a twist in the Bossanova reissue: its bonus seven-inch holds the earlier Albini take, while the album itself has the Pixies’ later “Dig for Fire.” Hayden Merrick at The Line of Best Fit hears the two recordings as far apart. See if you do. Hear Dig for Fire by Pixies.

Go Man Go — Pixies

Black Francis and Kim Deal co-wrote “Go Man Go,” and the Pixies recorded it during the Bossanova sessions. The Breeders recorded the song too, during the Last Splash sessions. Neither version made the album it was recorded for. Listen to the Pixies’ recording first; The Breeders’ version comes next. Hear Go Man Go by Pixies.

Go Man Go — The Breeders

The Breeders recorded “Go Man Go” during the Last Splash sessions, but it didn’t make the album. Hayden Merrick at The Line of Best Fit says the song appeared on a bootleg tape of Breeders demos and was played live a few times before fading from view. The Breeders found the lost master and put their recording on the 2023 Last Splash anniversary reissue. “Dig for Fire” gave us Pixies recordings made years apart. Now hear what two bands made of a song Black Francis and Kim Deal wrote together. Hear Go Man Go by The Breeders.