Catherine Wheel were a four-piece shoegaze/alternative rock band from Grea… Read Full Bio ↴Catherine Wheel were a four-piece shoegaze/alternative rock band from Great Yarmouth, England. The band was active from 1990 to 2000, experiencing fluctuating levels of commercial success, and embarking on many lengthy tours.

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.

Half Life
Catherine Wheel Lyrics

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Oh high it's hurting
So wide the line is drawn
I've gotta learn to stop myself from falling
Down so low

So don't die it's over
I've got a life, I've got a place to grow
I've gotta learn to stop myself from falling

Down so low

There's still time to grow
You know you know
It's so hard to think clearly

Clear
So clear
I've gotta learn to stop myself from falling
Down so low

There's no time to build
It's no horror film
It's so hard to think clearly

Ah
Ah
Ah
Ah, ooh

There's still time to grow
You know, you know
It's so hard to think clearly

Ah
Ah
Ah

Ah
Ah

Overall Meaning

The song "Half Life" by Catherine Wheel talks about someone who is in a difficult and painful place, struggling to keep themselves from falling down any further. The first verse says "Oh high it's hurting, so wide the line is drawn", which could be interpreted as the singer feeling like they are at the peak of their suffering, with a clear divide between where they are and where they want to be. They then repeat "I've gotta learn to stop myself from falling down so low" multiple times, emphasizing their desire to overcome their problems and move forward.

The chorus offers some hope, as the singer reminds themselves that they still have a life and a future to look forward to. They sing "There's still time to grow, you know you know, it's so hard to think clearly", acknowledging that it can be difficult to see beyond their current troubles but urging themselves to keep moving forward. The song then ends with a repetition of the chorus and some vocalizations, perhaps signifying a sense of resolution or acceptance.

Overall, the lyrics to "Half Life" deal with themes of pain, growth, and perseverance in the face of adversity. The singer is struggling, but they are trying to keep themselves from giving up and are reminding themselves that there is still time to make things better.

Line by Line Meaning

Oh high it's hurting
I am feeling high but it's causing me pain

So wide the line is drawn
The separation between where I am and where I want to be is very wide

I've gotta learn to stop myself from falling
I need to learn how to avoid reaching a low point in my life

Down so low
I don't want to be in a bad place mentally or emotionally anymore

So don't die it's over
It is not the end yet, so don't give up

I've got a life, I've got a place to grow
I still have a chance to live and thrive

There's still time to grow
I have the opportunity to continue maturing and developing

You know you know
Deep down inside, I am aware of this truth

It's so hard to think clearly
It's difficult to think rationally and objectively when in emotional turmoil

Clear
I need to be able to see things more clearly

Ah
A sound of feeling or contemplation