Formed in London in 1983, the Wolfgang Press comprised vocalist Michael Allen, guitarist Andrew Gray, and keyboardist Mark Cox. Allen and Cox first teamed in the group Rema Rema, which also featured Adam & the Ants alum Marco Perroni; after reuniting in the short-lived quartet Mass, the duo recruited Gray, and as the Wolfgang Press issued their cacophonous, gloomy debut LP, The Burden of Mules, in 1983. An EP trilogy co-produced by Cocteau Twin Robin Guthrie followed in quick succession: while 1984's Scarecrow was a lighter, more streamlined affair, 1985's Water spotlighted ominously sparse torch songs, and the same year's Sweatbox explored deconstructionist pop. The three EPs were later collected on The Legendary Wolfgang Press & Other Stories.
The Wolfgang Press' second full-length effort, 1986's Standing Up Straight, incorporated industrial and orchestral influences into the mix, while the Big Sex EP's "God's Number" offered a soulful backing chorus, a harbinger of things to come. Indeed, after 1988's hypnotic Bird Wood Cage and its leadoff single, "King of Soul," introduced strong elements of dub, reggae, and R&B, the trio took the full plunge into the dance arena with 1991's Queer, an idiosyncratic outing admittedly inspired by De La Soul's landmark 3 Feet High and Rising; the first single, a surreal cover of the Randy Newman-penned "Mama Told Me Not to Come," was a minor hit. 1995's Funky Little Demons completed the Wolfgang Press' transition into white funk; prior to its release, however, Cox exited the group's ranks.
Cut the Tree
The Wolfgang Press Lyrics
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I wouldn't say that I was bound from what I am hiding from
These people follow me
I had the sound inside of me
The sound's a crowd
The sound's a crowd
My face is history, it's never forgiven me
I didn't say that I was sound
I wouldn't say that I was round
I couldn't help but walk on two legs
I couldn't help but walk with two eyes
I found that I was beckoned, never to be seen again
I see the man I want to be, his name is purity
He's walking free
He's walking free
He's walking free
I say why
I'll turn around
I'll turn around
And plant the seed
I'll turn around
And plant the seed
A bigger tree
And all behind, it's cutting me
It's cutting me
I'll turn around
I'll turn around
This is no vial act of God
I'll turn around
I'll turn around
I'll turn around
I'll turn around
And plant the seed
A bigger tree
And all behind, it's cutting me
It's cutting me
It's cutting me
It's cutting me
The lyrics of The Wolfgang Press's song Cut the Tree express a sense of dissatisfaction with oneself and a desire for change. The singer acknowledges that they haven't found what they were looking for, and that they are hiding from something. The sound inside of them is described as a crowd, which could be interpreted as inner turmoil or confusion. The singer also expresses regret and a sense of being unforgiven by those around them. They mention that they couldn't help but walk on two legs and with two eyes, which may suggest feeling limited or restricted. However, they also mention a desire to be like the man named purity, who is walking free.
Towards the end of the song, the singer announces that they will turn around and plant a bigger tree. This could symbolize their desire for growth and positive change, as well as their willingness to face their struggles and confront whatever is cutting them. The singer seems to reject the idea that their situation is simply an unavoidable act of God, and instead takes responsibility for their own growth and happiness.
Overall, the lyrics of Cut the Tree are open to interpretation and could be seen as dealing with themes of personal growth, change, and self-acceptance.
Line by Line Meaning
I wouldn't say that I have found what I was looking for
I'm still searching for something, I haven't found it yet
I wouldn't say that I was bound from what I am hiding from
I'm not being restricted from hiding what I'm keeping secret
These people follow me
I have a group of people who look up to me and follow my lead
I had the sound inside of me
I had a feeling deep inside that I couldn't express with words
The sound's a crowd
That feeling I had inside turned into a collective energy from others around me
My face is history, it's never forgiven me
People won't forget the things I've done, they'll always be held against me
I didn't say that I was sound
I never claimed to be perfect or without flaws
I wouldn't say that I was round
I'm not well-rounded or complete as a person
I couldn't help but walk on two legs
I'm human, I couldn't help but be what I am
I couldn't help but walk with two eyes
I'm limited by my perspective and can only see things from my own point of view
I found that I was beckoned, never to be seen again
I was called or invited somewhere, but it was a one-time thing that can't be repeated
I see the man I want to be, his name is purity
I have an ideal version of myself that I strive to become, one that's morally perfect
He's walking free
That ideal version of myself is unencumbered by the things that hold me down
I say why
I question the status quo or why things are the way they are
I'll turn around and plant the seed
I'll make a change and start something new, even if it means going in a different direction
A bigger tree
The change I make will have a bigger impact than just what I see right now
And all behind, it's cutting me
The things I left behind are still affecting me, but I'm moving forward anyway
This is no vial act of God
The things that are happening aren't due to some sort of divine punishment or intervention
It's cutting me
The things from my past are still affecting me, but I'm willing to move forward anyway
Contributed by Caden K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.