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.
The Nude
Catherine Wheel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This feeling I know so well
Visions of naked greed
Are visions I just don't need
Far deep, phantom seeking, I can see
The nude that broke my heart
The nude that broke my heart
The nude that broke my heart
The nude that broke my heart
The texture of moistened skin
All over this skin I've been
Skin that's been angel stretched
No muscle or excess flesh
Far deep, phantom seeking, I can see
The nude that broke my heart
The nude that broke my heart
Far from living, I can see
The nude that broke my heart
The nude that broke my heart
You're making me doubt myself
This feeling I know so well
Feeling of naked lust
This feeling I love so much
Far deep, phantom seeking oh you are
The nude that broke my heart
The nude that broke my heart
Phantom breathing oh you are
The nude that broke my heart
The nude that broke my heart
Upon the wall, the life is drawn
The love is lost, the truth will fall
The sinking ship, the sinking soul
The final fear
The picture on the wall
The lyrics to Catherine Wheel's "The Nude" are cryptic and open to interpretation. The song has an ethereal quality to it, with the repeated phrases and layered instrumentation adding to its dreamlike quality.
At its core, the song seems to be about temptation and desire. The singer is tempted by the idea of the nude - the idealized, perfect body - but is also repelled by it, recognizing that it represents a kind of greed that he doesn't want to be a part of. He's torn between the conflicting feelings of lust and doubt, and the pull of the nude that "broke his heart" is a kind of phantom seeking that he can't fully escape.
The lyrics also touch on the idea of art and its ability to capture the human form - "upon the wall, the life is drawn" - but also its limitations in conveying the true nature of things. The love that is lost, the truth that will fall, and the picture on the wall all suggest a sense of impermanence and decay.
Overall, "The Nude" is a haunting meditation on the human form and the complexities of desire.
Line by Line Meaning
You're making me doubt myself
You are causing me to question my own thoughts and beliefs
This feeling I know so well
I am familiar with this emotion
Visions of naked greed
Images of excessive desire for material possessions
Are visions I just don't need
I do not require these images
Far deep, phantom seeking, I can see
In the depths of my thoughts, I am searching for something that is not truly there
The nude that broke my heart
The image of a naked person that caused me emotional pain
The texture of moistened skin
The sensation of damp skin
All over this skin I've been
I have experienced this sensation throughout my body
Skin that's been angel stretched
Skin that appears to be smooth and perfect
No muscle or excess flesh
The body appears to have no extra weight or fat
You're making me doubt myself
You are making me feel unsure of myself
Feeling of naked lust
Strong desire for physical intimacy
This feeling I love so much
I enjoy this emotion
Far deep, phantom seeking oh you are
You are also searching for something that may not truly exist
Phantom breathing oh you are
You are also experiencing imaginary sensations
Upon the wall, the life is drawn
There is an image on the wall that represents life
The love is lost, the truth will fall
Love has been lost and the truth will be revealed
The sinking ship, the sinking soul
Both the ship and the person are sinking, or failing
The final fear
The ultimate feeling of terror
The picture on the wall
The image on the wall represents something significant
Lyrics © Spirit Music Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BRIAN FUTTER, ROBERT DICKINSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@seencapone
Lyrics:
You’re making me doubt myself
This feeling I know so well
Visions of naked greed
Visions I just don’t need
Far deep, phantom seeking, I can see
The nude that broke my heart
Far from living, I can see
The nude that broke my heart
The texture of moistened skin
All over this skin I’ve been
Skin that’s been angel stretched
No muscle or excess flesh
Far deep, phantom seeking, I can see
The nude that broke my heart
Far from living, I can see
The nude that broke my heart
You’re making me doubt myself
This feeling I know so well
Feeling of naked lust
This feeling I love so much
Far deep, phantom seeking, oh you are
The nude that broke my heart
Phantom breathing, oh you are
The nude that broke my heart
Upon the wall the life is drawn
The love is lost, the truth will fall
The sinking ship, the sinking soul
The final fear
The picture on the wall
@jphasson
This band is just incredible. I really started listening a few years back and I don't believe they've ever wrote a 'bad' song. The hits are the hits, of course, but ever the deeper tracks are just as mind-blowing. What I would give to be able to see Catherine Wheel live...
@joeketa6352
I saw them live 3 times back in the 90s. They were an awesome live band.
@Daniel-415-Ponce
I never tire of listening to this incredible but mostly forgotten classic from the 1990's. It makes me think how fortunate we were to have had a rock band as talented as Catherine Wheel making music. Hell, even their mediocre final album "Wishville" sounds good compared to most of the product that is out there nowadays. I saw them perform live twice in San Francisco, once with the band Belly at the legendary Fillmore and once at Slim's on 11th St. I will never forget the expression of shock and horror that came over singer Rob Dickinson's face when some little teenaged boys suddenly jumped in front of him and began stage diving during a song near the end of the show. If a reunion of the band is for some reason out of the question at this point in time, then as a consolation I would settle for a long overdue proper live album. (Are you listening, Mr. Dickinson?) As for my impression of this video itself, I will say that maniacal has never before or since appeared so sexy.
@nicolekoretsky9062
Have been a fan since the first tiny note on radio in 90, just before Ferment. Brilliant, gorgeous music. My hat is off to them all for creating a creation that dropped us all on our butts, eyes wide open.
@christopherwalker6056
No, he's busy restoring Porsche 911's.
@morgazim
could you recommend some other bands or songs similar to this? i recently just discovered this song and fell in love
@GustavoSusFring
@@morgazim A newer band that I have heard compared to Catherine Wheel (I only think they're somewhat similar vocally) is Teenage Wrist. Specifically, I would recommend their album Chrome Neon Jesus
@WolfHeavyMetal
My girlfriend has been a fan of theirs since she was 15 years old. She met them all back in the 90's, and we go to see Rob play solo. They were SO under rated and Rob is a great guy in addition to being a great musician.
@drdoctor101
the fact that so much time has passed since this song was first released just makes me sad... amazing song, amazing band, incredibly, unjustifiably underrated. I saw CW perform live, free, open to the public at Tower Records in Old Westbury, LI. It was a spur of the moment show that was announced on WLIR, I immediately got in my car and drove to TW as fast as I could. I'll never forget it.
@directedbyhabbit4739
This band has so many songs that just stick with you. This is my jam of the week/month/year.