Dig for Fire

"Dig for Fire" was one of the few songs on Bossanova that Francis had written prior to coming into the studio.{{cite book |last1=Frank |first1=Josh |last2=Ganz |first2=Caryn |title=Fool the World: The Oral History of a Band Called Pixies |date=1 April 2007 |publisher=St. Martin's Publishing Group |isbn=978-1-4299-0443-8 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yHFqVBh8QPMC |language=en}} According to Pixies frontman Black Francis, the song was "a bad Talking Heads imitation."Stern, Perry. "Surf's Up." Music Express, October 1990. http://aleceiffel.free.fr/surf.html (transcript) (accessed March 10, 2013)

Producer Gil Norton said of the song, {{"'}}Dig for Fire' was the first time we used a drum machine. The bass drum on that is a drum machine and Dave [Lovering] played on top of it. That was the first time we'd ever used any sample-type sounds on the album."

"Dig for Fire" was released as the second single from Bossanova. Among the B-sides was a version of Neil Young's "Winterlong."{{cite book |last1=Cowan |first1=Andy |title=B-Side: A Flipsided History of Pop |date=6 June 2023 |publisher=SCB Distributors |isbn=978-1-915316-14-1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LYC_EAAAQBAJ |language=en}} "Dig for Fire" reached number 11 on the US Modern Rock Tracks chart[http://www.allmusic.com/artist/pixies-mn0000895136/awards "Pixies - Awards"]. allmusic.com. Retrieved February 13, 2013. and number 62 in the UK.

The single version of "Dig for Fire" is mixed differently from the album version and also contains some overdubs.{{citation needed|date=July 2021|reason=This is true, but needs a reference for verification. Otherwise it's just original research.}}

The song was promoted with a music video that also featured another Bossanova track, the brief "Allison", a tribute to jazz musician Mose Allison. The combination of the two songs was a compromise, as Elektra wanted a video for "Dig for Fire," while Francis, in calling the song a "bad Talking Heads imitation," pushed for "Allison" instead.{{cite book |last1=Mendelssohn |first1=John |title=Gigantic: The Story Of Frank Black And The Pixies |date=15 December 2009 |publisher=Omnibus Press |isbn=978-0-85712-116-5 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_Cv9KKpCQ50C |language=en}}

The video featured the band riding in motorcycle sidecars during "Dig for Fire," only to cut to the band performing "Allison" live on the field of Amsterdam's Olympisch Stadion.

All songs written by Black Francis, except where otherwise noted.

1. "Dig for Fire" – 2:51
2. "Velvety Instrumental Version" – 2:04
3. "Winterlong" (Neil Young) – 3:07
4. "Santo" – 2:16

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Category:1990 singles

Category:Pixies (band) songs

Category:Songs written by Black Francis

Category:Elektra Records singles

Category:4AD singles

Category:1990 songs

Category:Song recordings produced by Chris Sheldon

Category:Song recordings produced by Gil Norton

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