Catherine Wheel formed in 1990, comprising singer/guitarist Rob Dickinson (cousin of Iron Maiden legend Bruce Dickinson), guitarist Brian Futter, bassist Dave Hawes, and drummer Neil Sims. Hawes had previously played in a Joy Division-influenced band called Eternal. They took their moniker from the firework known as the Catherine wheel, which in turn had taken its name from the medieval torture device of the same name. The band was often included in the shoegazing scene, characterized by bands that made extensive use of guitar feedback and droning washes of noise, as well as their continuous interaction with extensive amounts of effects pedals on the stage floor.
The band performed a Peel session in early 1991 while still unsigned; two 12" vinyl EPs were released on the Norwich based Wilde Club Records, named after the regular weekly Wilde Club gigs run by Barry Newman at Norwich Arts Centre. They signed to major-label Fontana Records after being courted by both Creation Records and the Brian Eno-run label Opal Records. The band's debut album, 1991/92's Ferment, made an immediate impression on the music press and introduced Catherine Wheel's biggest U.S. hit, "Black Metallic," as well as moderate hit "I Want To Touch You". The album features re-recorded versions of some of the Wilde Club-issued EPs.
The more aggressive Chrome followed in 1993, produced by Gil Norton. With this album, the band began to shed its original shoegazing tag, while still making skillful use of atmospherics, such as on the song "Fripp." In a 2007 interview, Rob Dickinson said that members of Death Cab for Cutie and Interpol told him that without this album, their bands "wouldn't exist."
1995's Happy Days saw the band delving further into metallic hard rock, which alienated a portion of their fanbase, even as it increased their exposure in the United States during the post-grunge era. The single "Waydown," and especially its plane-crash themed video, received heavy play in the U.S. A more sedate strain of rock known as britpop was taking over in the UK, causing C.W. to continue to have greater success abroad than at home.
The B-sides and outtakes collection, Like Cats and Dogs, came out the following year, revealing a quieter, more contemplative side of the band, spanning the previous five years. This carried over into Adam and Eve in 1997, wherein the band scaled back the sonic force of their sound from its Happy Days levels, with clean playing on some songs that featured extensive use of keyboards and acoustic guitars. Alternately, songs like "Satellite" and "Here Comes the Fat Controller" were lush and orchestral in scope.
In 2000, Catherine Wheel re-emerged with a new record label, a new bassist (Ben Ellis); a modified name (The Catherine Wheel); and a new album, Wishville. After mixed reviews, record company turmoil and lacklustre sales, the band went on a still-continuing hiatus.
In March 2010, Ferment was re-released, containing bonus tracks and extensive sleeve notes.
Flower To Hide
Catherine Wheel Lyrics
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No need to fight
Or make it hard on me
Or make it glow
No need to show you this time
Or make it easy
And I know
It colours everything you do
And I know
A flower fading far too soon
So think of a time
That's something to cling to
Imagine a light
That never escapes you
Conceived behind
The colour above you
A flower to hide
A violet surprise
And I know
The sunlight bleaches you
It colours everything you do
And I know
A flower fading far too soon
And I know
The sunlight bleaches you
It colours everything you do
And I know
The sunlight bleaches you
A flower fading far too soon
The lyrics of Catherine Wheel's "Flower To Hide" describe a desire to hold onto something beautiful and fleeting. The singer asks whoever they are addressing to not make it hard on them and to let whatever it is they are holding onto shine. They acknowledge that sunlight can bleach and fade beauty, such as a flower, but they want to imagine a time when that beauty will always be present. The idea of a flower to hide, a violet surprise, is a symbol of something fragile and temporary that the singer wants to preserve.
The repetition of "And I know/The sunlight bleaches you/It colours everything you do" emphasizes the idea of the damaging effects of time and the natural world on something beautiful. Despite this, the singer still yearns to preserve it and hold onto it as long as possible. The song is a reminder that beauty is fleeting and that it is important to appreciate it while it lasts.
Line by Line Meaning
So make it shine
Do not let obstacles dim your light or dull your shine.
No need to fight
There is no point in struggling or resisting what cannot be changed.
Or make it hard on me
Please do not make things more difficult for me.
Or make it glow
Radiate and emit brilliance and beauty without any effort.
No need to show you this time
It is unnecessary to display or prove anything to anyone at this moment.
Or make it easy
Achieving something without effort or struggle is not always rewarding.
And I know
The singer has awareness and knowledge of something important.
The sunlight bleaches you
The sun fades or drains the life and color out of you.
It colours everything you do
The influence of this bleaching effect colors and impacts all area of one's life.
A flower fading far too soon
A beautiful thing that fades or wilts quickly, denying the world of more time to appreciate its beauty.
So think of a time
Imagine or recall a moment from the past.
That's something to cling to
A memory or experience worth holding onto tightly because of its importance or significance.
Imagine a light
Visualize or conceive of a positive and bright source of illumination.
That never escapes you
A light that always remains, bringing guidance and hope to one's life.
Conceived behind
Born or created from something or someone else.
The colour above you
The surrounding world, which may be seen as something illuminating above oneself.
A flower to hide
A beautiful thing worth protecting and keeping hidden from the world, to savor it privately.
A violet surprise
A symbol of mystery and wonder, something unexpected that brings joy to one's life.
And the sunlight bleaches you
Continued emphasis on the damaging nature of the sun's effects on one's life.
It colours everything you do
One's environment, including the sun's bleaching effect, affects a person's behavior and attitudes.
And I know
Reiteration of the singer's knowledge or awareness of something important.
A flower fading far too soon
Reminding the listener of the beauty that fades too quickly, urging them to appreciate what they have while it is still there.
Lyrics © Spirit Music Group
Written by: BRIAN FUTTER, ROBERT DICKINSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind