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.
Judy Staring at the Sun
Catherine Wheel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Begging please give me some more
A vein that's open for the day
Feel the pulse beneath the skin
And smiling as it all begins
Oh where have you been?
Judy's staring at the sun
Judy's fantasy has come
So amplify this little one
She;s a volume freak
She hears as much as she can see
And what she sees she can't believe
It's just what Judy needs a moment of release
To give her peace peace peace
Judy's starting at the sun
Judy's day passed out of sight
Judy will be suffering tonight
She's suffering
She passed by and said good-bye to him
And in a rare and lucid state
She said my days are unoriginal
I wanna fade fade fade
She's suffering
Judy's staring at the sun
Judy's day passed out of sight
Judy will be suffering tonight
The lyrics of Catherine Wheel's "Judy Staring at the Sun" paint a dark and introspective picture of drug addiction and self-destruction. The first verse presents a graphic image of a person behind a closed door, addicted and begging for more drugs. The second verse follows Judy, the singer of the song, who is described as a "volume freak" who needs a moment of release to find peace within herself. She stares at the sun, a symbol of hope and life-giving energy, but it is clear that her day has passed out of sight and that she will be suffering tonight.
The chorus repeats twice and emphasizes Judy's state of mind: she is lost in her own fantasy, disconnected from the world around her, and is suffering from the consequences of her addiction. The overall tone of the song is one of despair and hopelessness, with Judy being a tragic figure who cannot escape her own demons.
The bridge of the song provides some insight into Judy's character and motivations. She wants to fade into obscurity, overcome by drugs and their effects on her mind and body. She is aware that her days are unoriginal, that her life is going to waste, but she cannot find the strength to break the cycle of addiction and self-destruction.
Overall, "Judy Staring at the Sun" is a haunting and powerful song. It explores the dark corners of the human psyche, presenting a compelling story of addiction and despair that is sadly all too familiar in today's world.
Line by Line Meaning
Smacked up again behind the door
The singer is using drugs and is hiding behind the door to avoid being caught
Begging please give me some more
The singer is asking for more drugs
A vein that's open for the day
The singer has been injecting drugs and has a visible vein that they can use again
Feel the pulse beneath the skin
The artist is aware of their own heartbeat and is feeling it through their skin
And smiling as it all begins
The artist is feeling euphoric as the drugs begin to take effect
Oh where have you been?
The singer is addressing the drugs, asking where they have been
Judy's staring at the sun
Judy is doing something risky or dangerous
Judy's fantasy has come
Judy's risky behavior has fulfilled her desires
So amplify this little one
The artist wants to intensify Judy's experience
She;s a volume freak
Judy likes things to be loud and intense
She hears as much as she can see
Judy is very sensory-oriented and absorbs everything she can
And what she sees she can't believe
Judy is taking in so much that it is overwhelming and difficult to process
It's just what Judy needs a moment of release
Judy is seeking a way to escape or let go
To give her peace peace peace
Judy hopes that this release will bring her peace
Judy's day passed out of sight
Judy has lost track of time and is unaware of how much time has passed
Judy will be suffering tonight
Judy will experience negative consequences later as a result of her risky behavior
She passed by and said good-bye to him
Judy is leaving someone behind, possibly a partner, in pursuit of her desires
And in a rare and lucid state
Judy is sometimes in a clear-minded state, but it is uncommon
She said my days are unoriginal
Judy feels like her life is boring and repetitive
I wanna fade fade fade
Judy wants to escape her mundane life and fade away
Judy's day passed out of sight
Judy has lost track of time and is unaware of how much time has passed
Judy will be suffering tonight
Judy will experience negative consequences later as a result of her risky behavior
Lyrics © Spirit Music Group
Written by: BRIAN FUTTER, ROBERT DICKINSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kaio Veiga
Smacked up again behind the door
Begging please give me some more
A vein that's open for the day
Feel the pulse beneath the skin
And smiling as it all begins
Oh where have you been?
Judy's staring at the sun
Judy's staring at the sun
Judy's fantasy has come
So amplify this little one
She;s a volume freak
She hears as much as she can see
And what she sees she can't believe
It's just what Judy needs a moment of release
To give her peace peace peace
Judy's starting at the sun
Judy's day passed out of sight
Judy will be suffering tonight
She's suffering
She passed by and said good-bye to him
And in a rare and lucid state
She said my days are unoriginal
I wanna fade fade fade
She's suffering
Judy's staring at the sun
Judy's day passed out of sight
Judy will be suffering tonight
jonnybgoode007
I was 37 when I saw this in 1995. I am loving this more appreciatively at 62 in 2020. What a Gem of Music. Thanks. :)
Richard Sylvanus
Great year. Pretty sure Jagged Little Pill came out then. Perhaps Garbage too??
DeeJaay Walker
I happened to be in Hollywood on vacation while this video was being filmed. I found it on a daily list of filming sights, and headed right over. I remember the UFO scenes very clearly...filmed exactly as you can imagine...a long pole, 5 feet of string and someone off to the left spinning the flying saucer before it got hoisted in front of the band. Tanya was not on set at that time, but the band was in fine form and into their music as this video reveals very nicely. Anyone could have walked in there as a huge garage door was wide open exposing the scene you see in the video, you only had to follow your ears. I remember getting asked if I was with the catering. Nope! I hung around trying to get a moment to thank Dave Hawes (bassist) for sending me one of their 12" eps just for writing to the band. Sadly, I missed that chance due to the band remaining on set filming and my limited time frame that day. Twenty-five years later I can only hope he reads this knowing the attempt was made and how grateful I still am for having received it with his autograph. Yes, I still treasure it, and his letter, to this day. He also answered my question about how the image for the front cover for Ferment was captured. I don't think very many bands then or today would give this much consideration to a lone fan an ocean away. Awesome sneak peak at this criminally underrated band documenting another gem in their brilliant set list!
robin avalyn
Absolutely agree! In my top 25 lifetime list I('m in my 60's) & I put Catherine Wheel on regularly still... highly underrated!
Lis A
I don’t know if it’s true, but I’ve heard it’s a zoomed in image of their manager’s eyeball. And looking at my CD it’s believable.
ibelieveicansoar
Please tell us how he said Ferment’s cover image was created. I’m an artist who has been wondering for 25 years, and it’s my #2 favorite album of all time, after Sonic Youth’s Daydream Nation. (Which has an iconic cover by Gerhard Richter.)
Unvisable135
That’s a fantastic story!
Wolfdragon92584
It's arty but not pretentious, emotional but not histrionic. I love Catherine Wheel.
Josh
It gives me a big sad that this style of music has disappeared..I was a teenager in the 90's and alternative music was a revelation to me.. though I progressed to metal, alternative forever holds a special place in my heart, because it represents my youth..
Tristan Smith
One of my all time favorite songs from the 90s.