“Hamburger Lady” by Throbbing Gristle was a controversial industrial piece released in the late 1970s. It showcases the avant-garde nature of the genre and pushes the boundaries of music. Throbbing Gristle are an iconic British industrial music group formed in 1975 by Genesis P-Orridge, Cosey Fanni Tutti, Peter Christopherson and Chris Carter. “Burger Lady” is one of their most iconic and memorable works, known for its disturbing themes and unconventional music production. The aesthetic of “Burger Lady” is characterized by its industrial sound, a blend of electronic noise, distorted vocals and avant-garde instrumentation. Their musical approach often involves the use of natural sounds, tape manipulation and experimental techniques. “Hamburg Lady” challenges traditional notions of music.
This aesthetic is achieved by creating an unsettling and uncomfortable atmosphere. The song references a medical case written by William S. Burroughs in his book Naked Lunch. The song tells the story of a patient with severe burns, and the lyrics vividly depict the personal physical and emotional trauma. The disturbing imagery and aggressive delivery of the lyrics contribute to the overall unsettling atmosphere of the song.
"Hamburger Lady" was released during a period of social and political change. The late 1970s and early 1980s were marked by economic problems, the punk and post-punk movements, and a general sense of social disillusionment. Throbbing Gristle's music, including "Hamburger Lady", can be seen as a sign of the times. The industrial genre, with its aggressive and rough style, embodied the angst and frustration of the era. The band's use of unconventional sounds and rejection of traditional musical norms set them apart in the music scene of the time. The group also contributed to the development of alternative and experimental music genres.Throbbing-gristle.com (no date) THROBBING GRISTLE. Available at: https://www.throbbing-gristle.com/ (Accessed: 01 December 2023).
Scanlon, K. (2023) ‘Hamburger Lady’: The scariest song of all time?, Far Out Magazine. Available at: https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/hamburger-lady-the-scariest-song-of-all-time/ (Accessed: 01 December 2023).