The Touch

The Touch is a song from The Residents' 1988 epic, God In Three Persons.

Background

The song showcases Mr. X and The Twins early on in their relationship, establishing that The Twins trusted Mr. X not to touch their union, but that he secretly wanted to.

The Twins had told Mr. X that he had been embarrassing earlier when he angrily dealt with some hecklers. They told him if it happened again, they would have to hold him back. They laughed and began to play wrestle. But suddenly, Mr. X softly touched their union as they wrestled. Everyone looked at each other, with awkward and sexual tension, but decided to ignore it.

Recordings and Performances

The first demo recording of this song featured Hardy Fox on vocals and was recorded in 1987, it was released on the God In Three Persons pREServed box set in 2019. This version lasted only a minute long, with an uncredited demo for 'Time' being added to the end. It is considerably more creepy than the final version. Whilst in later versions, Mr. X accidentally touches the twins' holy union, this version features him touching them whilst they sleep.

Shortly after this, a second version was recorded. This version was 2 minutes long, and featured the lyrics 'It Fluttered Down' repeated by Laurie Amat. This version is more lighthearted sounding than the demo, presenting the act as something of innocence that would later be corrupted. The album version was recorded shortly afterward, at nearly double the length of the previous demo and instrumental versions.

The song was first performed live on January 18th, 2020, during the God In Three Persons Mini-Tour. A recording from the tour would feature on the live album. This version largely stays faithful to the album versions structure, whilst adding electric guitar.

Lyrics

Album Version

As they told me other childhood stories, they knew that I stood close 
but never close enough
to touch the holy union of their bonding that I wished to touch so fondly 
with my heart, and maybe somehow more.
But they had a way of keeping it away, 
while never seeming less than big and open friendly doors.

Then one day it finally happened. Just before they took a nap, 
we joked around the room in which they slept.
They were kidding me about an incident 
when I kicked out some rowdy shouting something near the door.
They said that I had looked afraid and if I didn't act my age, 
then they would have to hold me back next time.

I laughed and said that it would take more than just two freaks 
to make me stop if someone interrupted us again.
And with that we started shoving back and forth 
until a sudden move caught me completely off my guard.
They reached around surrounding me within a wall of flesh --

I found my only freedom left was in my hand 
which dangled up and down between their sides
until I jerked and seemed to watch it flutter down upon their joint.

Fluttered down it
fluttered down it
fluttered down it
fluttered down...

And suddenly a shock went through me and a moment slipped into 
the room that was not in the air before.
Looking up we all connected in a triangle of eyes reflecting tension 
and unsaid excitement, too.
Then it passed in nervous laughter, 
but I sensed a change soon after we unlocked our limbs and I withdrew.

Fluttered down it
fluttered down it
fluttered down it
fluttered down...

Soundtrack Version

...Down It 
Fluttered down it
fluttered down it
fluttered down it
fluttered down it 
fluttered down it
fluttered down it
fluttered down it

...Down It 
Fluttered down 
fluttered down it
fluttered down it
fluttered down it 
fluttered down 
fluttered down it
fluttered down it
fluttered down it
fluttered down
fluttered down it
fluttered down it
fluttered down it
fluttered down
fluttered...

Demo Version

As they told me of their childhood left alone, 
they knew that I stood close but never close enough
to touch the holy union of their bonding that I wished to touch so fondly 
with my heart, and maybe somehow more.
They had a way of keeping it away, 
while never seeming less than big and open friendly doors.

But one night I finally did it. Sneaking in the dark they hid from by sight, 
but not my inner eye. 
When at last I finally grasped it, 
they woke and looked so ghastly that it hurt more than I can deny
But still I held it oh so firmly, breathing deep, somwhat squriming up and up and up.

Then at last my mind and body both exploded like a gun that wasn't loaded, 
'till it faced some fool right in the eye.
As for them they laughed a little, but it sounded dry and bittle, 
as if they knew that somehow things had changed.

Appearances

• God In Three Persons (1988)
• God In Three Persons Soundtrack (1988)
• In Memoriam Torso (1994)
• Morning Music (2010)
• G3P Ephemera (2019)
• God In 3 Persons (2020)