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.
I Want To Touch You
Catherine Wheel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I dream that when you speak, you speak to me
But you're always out of reach
And I can't control my speech
And I'm scared that when we meet I'll want to touch you
I want to touch you
I want to touch you
I want to touch you
You're the only soul inside that makes me shake
And the crazy senseless things you made me take
It would really make my day
If you'd only move away
'Cause I'm scared that if you stay I'll want to touch you
I want to touch you
I want to touch you
I want to touch you
But you're always out of reach
And I can't control my speech
And I'm scared that when we meet
I'm fermenting, can't you see?
I want to touch you
I want to touch you
I want to touch you
I want to touch you
I want to touch you
I want to touch you
I want to touch you
I want to touch you
Touch you, touch you, touch you, touch you, touch you
The lyrics of Catherine Wheel’s “I Want To Touch You” depict the intense longing for someone who is inaccessible. The first verse praises the person’s way of talking and the dream that they would speak to the singer. However, the object of the singer's desire is always out of reach, and this leads to the fear that when they eventually meet, the desire to touch them will be overwhelming. The chorus repeats the phrase "I want to touch you" eight times, emphasizing the depth of the singer’s longing.
The second verse further emphasizes the depth of the singer's attachment, describing the effect the person has on them, causing them to shake and take on "crazy senseless things." The final lines of the verse reveal the singer’s desperation for the person to move away, knowing that if they stay, the desire to touch them will be too strong to resist. The final repetition of the chorus “Touch you, touch you, touch you, touch you, touch you” encapsulates the entirety of the singer’s consuming desire.
The lyrics of the song have a raw and emotionally-charged quality that speaks to the longing that many people have felt for someone who is not within reach. The repetition of the chorus illustrates the relentlessness of this desire, as the singer cannot help but want to touch the object of their desire.
Line by Line Meaning
I always thought the way you talked was neat
I have always admired the way you speak and found it impressive.
And I dream that when you speak, you speak to me
I fantasize about you speaking to me and addressing me whenever you speak.
But you're always out of reach
You always seem to be beyond my reach, even though I desire to have you close.
And I can't control my speech
I am incapable of controlling my speech when I am around you, which makes me nervous.
And I'm scared that when we meet I'll want to touch you
I worry that if we ever meet in-person, I will not be able to resist the urge to touch you.
You're the only soul inside that makes me shake
You are the only person that has the power to make me nervous and anxious.
And the crazy senseless things you made me take
The illogical actions you have influenced me to do make me realize the intensity of my attraction towards you.
It would really make my day if you'd only move away
It would make my life easier if you would distance yourself from me because of my inability to control my feelings around you.
'Cause I'm scared that if you stay I'll want to touch you
Since I am afraid that I might not be able to resist the temptation to touch you, I desire you to leave me alone.
And I'm fermenting, can't you see?
I am experiencing inner turmoil, and it is causing me to be restless and anxious.
I want to touch you
My desire to feel you overwhelms every thought in my mind.
Touch you, touch you, touch you, touch you, touch you
I long to touch and feel you repeatedly.
Lyrics © Spirit Music Group
Written by: BRIAN FUTTER, ROBERT DICKINSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bryanbernat4825
It's so bizarre for me to read these comments and they're so old...
Where did all of you go? I never stopped listening to music. Real music.
@edau6890
i'm still here! i revisit ferment and chrome often
@fortunecookiestarotbyannabelle
We're still here. Drooling over Rob's vocals... 🥰 [swoon]
@tommcnabb653
Still around. Love the first two albums.
@BaloneyFlaps
I was listening to this while taking my 5-year-old son to school. He asked, "Daddy, how old is this song?" "Almost 25 years old," I replied. He listened for a few more seconds, then said, "It's still REALLY good!" I tend to agree.
@themysticmuse1111
Smart kid ;)
@MikeDuttera
+BaloneyFlaps Really good art is timeless...your son has good taste!!!
@norekfamily
My 8 year old son is obsessed with this song as well! Maybe there is hope for this generation to listen to something other than Billie Eilish and mumble rap
@DrewTube39
Love that kid!!
@m.e.summer5541
Timeless ....and your son is AWESOME thats why