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.
Shallow
Catherine Wheel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Time to shake in protown ???
But I can't fight
You are the one to say goodbye
And when you shout my mouth is dry
Only when you try
Because you're shallow water running high
You know what's inside
Some righteous sin
You take my hand between your knees
And once inside
I'll only take the things that shine
You always said those things were mine
You only said goodbye
When your shallow water got too high
You know what's inside
Only when you try
Because you're shallow water running high
You know what's inside
You know what's inside
You know what's inside
The lyrics to Catherine Wheel's song Shallow paint a picture of a difficult relationship that is coming to an end. The singer is aware that they are "wasting time" with their partner, who may be from a "protown," or a place where conformity is valued over individuality. Despite this awareness, however, the singer feels powerless to end the relationship. They know that their partner is "shallow water running high," meaning that they are superficial and only interested in the surface-level aspects of the relationship. This is illustrated when the partner "take[s] [the singer's] hand between [their] knees," suggesting that their physical connection may be the only thing holding them together.
The singer also seems to be aware that their partner may have some flaws or "righteous sin," but they are willing to overlook these things in order to keep their relationship alive. They are caught up in the promise of shiny things and are blind to the fact that their partner is not committed, as evidenced by the fact that they "only said goodbye when [their] shallow water got too high." The final line, "You know what's inside," suggests that the singer has been fooled by their partner's superficial charms and is only now realizing the true nature of their relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
You're wasting time
You are using up valuable time
Time to shake in protown ???
Unknown/ambiguous line with no clear meaning
But I can't fight
I am unable to resist
You are the one to say goodbye
You are the one who will end this relationship
And when you shout my mouth is dry
I feel nervous and speechless when you raise your voice
Only when you try
I can only respond if you make an effort
Because you're shallow water running high
You are superficial and fickle, always changing your emotions and opinions
You know what's inside
You are aware of your true nature
Some righteous sin
Unknown/ambiguous line with no clear meaning
You take my hand between your knees
You are being affectionate and intimate
And once inside
Once we are in private
I'll only take the things that shine
I will only take the things that are most attractive or appealing
You always said those things were mine
You promised me those things belonged to me
You only said goodbye
You only left me when you lost interest or became dissatisfied
When your shallow water got too high
When your sudden emotional outburst became too much for me to handle
You know what's inside
You are aware of your true nature
Only when you try
I can only respond if you make an effort
Because you're shallow water running high
You are superficial and fickle, always changing your emotions and opinions
You know what's inside
You are aware of your true nature
You know what's inside
You are aware of your true nature
Lyrics © Spirit Music Group
Written by: BRIAN FUTTER, ROBERT DICKINSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mike
absolutely BRILLIANT ! amazing guitar and even more amazing VOCALS !
C
this is brilliant, takes me back
Seb Zaleski
Why hardly any views and no comments for this classic??
Last Quarter
Yeah, it's honestly quite sad. I don't understand why they didn't become huge, this is just great
Kona Koffee
Not enough autotune for today's lame crowd.
skinnypuppy95
You're wasting time
Time to shake and throw down
But I can't fight
You are the one to say goodbye
And when you shout my mouth is dry
Only when you try
Is your shallow water running high
You know what's inside
So glad to see
You take my hand between your knees
And once inside
I'll only take the things that shine
You always said those things were mine
You only said goodbye
When your shallow water got too high
You know what's inside
Only when you try
Because your shallow water growing high
You know what's inside
You know what's inside
You know what's inside
Ricky Anstey
been singing the wrong lyrics for years
Fran Murillo
¡TOMA LA RUTA!
Simian Shakenspere
soak sorry finger thumbs teh too xxx
Simian Shakenspere
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