In addition, Belew is well-regarded for his contributions, particularly on guitar, to various other artists' recordings. In 1977, he performed with Frank Zappa, appearing in Zappa's 1979 concert film Baby Snakes, as well as Zappa's controversial album Sheik Yerbouti. He also supported David Bowie on his "Heroes" tour that was released as "Stage". He also played on the 1990 Sound + Vision tour. On both tours he was musical director, playing guitar and singing backing vocals.
Belew's other session credits include the 1980 album Remain in Light by the Talking Heads, Lights Out by Peter Wolf, and Paul Simon's landmark 1986 album Graceland. He worked with Laurie Anderson during the mid-1980s, appearing in her concert film Home of the Brave. During the 1990s, he contributed to three Nine Inch Nails albums, The Downward Spiral, The Fragile, and Ghosts. He played synthesized guitar on the song "God Shuffled His Feet" by Crash Test Dummies in 1993.
In the late-1980s, Belew formed the pop band The Bears with ex-Raisins members and released two albums, The Bears and Rise and Shine. A third album, Car Caught Fire, followed in 2001.
He features prominently on Tori Amos's 2001 cover album, "Strange Little Girls". He also contributed his lead guitar stylings to Porcupine Tree's album Deadwing (2005) as well as to a track ("I Can't Get Behind That", also featuring Henry Rollins) on the 2004 Ben Folds-produced William Shatner album Has Been.
I Wonder
Adrian Belew Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wonder what went wrong
We used to used to used to
Used to feel so strong
Now we seem to come apart at the seam
Now we speak impolitely
Now it's a fight to be nice
And you know it ain't right
I remember member member
Member what we had
We used to used to used to
Used to love so madly
Now we speak impolitely
Now we struggle even nightly
Now it's a fight to be nice
And you know it ain't right
Who is reversible
Who is replaceable
Who is reciprocal
Who is responsible
You and me
In Adrian Belew’s song “I Wonder,” he sings about the demise of a once passionate and strong relationship. Belew uses repetition and contrast to emphasize the drastic changes that have occurred between him and his partner. In the first verse, he wonders what went wrong and reminisces about their former emotional connection. However, he quickly transitions to their current state of constant bickering and verbal fights. The words “now” and “used to” create a jarring effect and highlight the stark contrast between their past and present relationship.
In the chorus, Belew remembers how they used to love each other madly but now struggle even on a nightly basis to be nice. The repetition of “now it’s a fight to be nice” emphasizes the unending and exhausting effort that goes into maintaining their relationship. Belew then questions who is responsible for the deterioration of their relationship by using words such as “reversible,” “replaceable,” “reciprocal,” and “responsible.”
Overall, Belew’s “I Wonder” poetically captures the fluctuations of a relationship and how quickly things can change. It shows the impact of small actions and how they can add up to become overwhelming and perhaps irreparable.
Line by Line Meaning
I wonder wonder wonder
The singer is expressing confusion and concern about a situation that is not clear.
Wonder what went wrong
The singer is questioning what caused a change in the relationship that is no longer positive.
We used to used to used to
The singer is expressing nostalgia for a past time when things were better.
Used to feel so strong
The artist is reminiscing about a time when they and their partner felt deeply connected and attracted to each other.
Now we seem to come apart at the seam
The artist is noticing that their relationship is becoming unravelled and is now breaking apart.
Now we speak impolitely
The singer is recognizing that they and their partner are no longer respectful in their conversations with each other.
Now it's a fight to be nice
The singer is acknowledging that being kind to each other is now an effort, and no longer something that comes naturally.
And you know it ain't right
The artist is stating that the relationship is no longer healthy or sustainable.
I remember member member
The artist is thinking back to a specific memory or moment when their partnership felt positive.
Member what we had
The artist is remembering how connected they were with their partner in the past.
Used to love so madly
The singer is expressing how intensely they felt for their partner in the past.
Now we struggle even nightly
The artist is observing that the relationship has become a challenge, and that it's now something that they find difficult to cope with.
Who is reversible
The singer is asking who can change and improve the relationship.
Who is replaceable
The singer is wondering if either of them can be substituted or changed for the better.
Who is reciprocal
The singer is questioning if they both are willing to give and receive equally.
Who is responsible
The artist is asking who is to blame for the problems in their relationship.
You and me
The artist is pointing out that both partners are responsible for how their relationship turns out.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: ADAM PERRY, DANIEL PHILIP CARTER, GILES PERRY, JASON KEITH PERRY, MARK CHAPMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
johnny zell
I wonder wonder wonder
Wonder what went wrong
We used to used to used to
Used to feel so strong
Now we seem to come apart at the seam
Now we speak impolitely
Now it's a fight to be nice
And you know it ain't right
I remember member member
Member what we had
We used to used to used to
Used to love so madly
Now we speak impolitely
Now we struggle even nightly
Now it's a fight to be nice
And you know it ain't right
Who is reversible
Who is replaceable
Who is reciprocal
Who is responsible
You and me
johnny zell
I wonder wonder wonder
Wonder what went wrong
We used to used to used to
Used to feel so strong
Now we seem to come apart at the seam
Now we speak impolitely
Now it's a fight to be nice
And you know it ain't right
I remember member member
Member what we had
We used to used to used to
Used to love so madly
Now we speak impolitely
Now we struggle even nightly
Now it's a fight to be nice
And you know it ain't right
Who is reversible
Who is replaceable
Who is reciprocal
Who is responsible
You and me
sharktroubles
This album's his best work.
Bass Fishing with the Antichrist
This song is so fun to play!
Laurel Pulvers
"I Wonder" and "Another Time" are just BEYOND!
Bryan Coburn
I had all my disc stolen in August by a roommate. She also stole my basses and amp, my stereo and my personal records. What I miss most is my comprehensive Adrian collection. He Is Cool.
He is also a freak. that is good. Too many predictable guitar players and He Is Not predictable
Bass Fishing with the Antichrist
Chicks are ruthless. One of em stole my heart.
Guitar Man
Should have had that premonition about your roommate.
manysons
AWESOME!
MrPhysicalSky
agree.
Bass Fishing with the Antichrist
Fun Fact’s: In this G up to A tuning you can also play “Burning Down the Mountain” from Steve Vai’s Flex-able Leftovers and “Ease” from Public Image Ltd. (Vai) Album.