By the time of their debut album, 1980's Crocodiles - a moderate UK hit - the drum machine had been replaced by Pete de Freitas. Their next, the critically-acclaimed Heaven Up Here, reached the Top Ten in 1981, as did 1983's Porcupine and '84's Ocean Rain. Singles like "The Killing Moon" (later used in the soundtrack to Donnie Darko, a film whose imagery owed much to the artwork of the band's early records.), "Silver," "Bring on the Dancing Horses," and "The Cutter" helped keep the group in the public eye as they took a brief hiatus in the late 1980s. Their 1987 self-titled LP was a small American hit, their only LP to have significant sales there.
McCulloch quit the band in 1988. De Freitas was killed in a motorcycle accident one year later. The others decided to continue, recruiting Noel Burke to replace McCulloch on vocals in Reverberation (1990), which did not generate much excitement among fans or critics. Burke, Sargeant and Pattinson split after that, but the surviving three fourths of the original band reformed in 1997 and released Evergreen (1997), What are You Going to Do with Your Life? (1999), Flowers (2001) , Siberia (2005), and the latest addition, The Fountain (2009). The group's old audience liked the return to their classic sound, and they also managed to gain a number of new, younger listeners.
Echo and the Bunnymen were managed early on by Bill Drummond, who went on to be a founder member of The KLF.
Over The Wall (Live Version f
Echo & the Bunnymen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
His tongue's involved with solutions
But the monkey on my back
Won't stop laughing
Over the wall
Hand in hand
Over the wall
There's something to be said for you
And your hopes of higher ruling
But the slug on my neck
Won't stop chewing
Over the wall
Hand in hand
Over the wall
Watch us fall
I'm walking in the rain
To end this misery
I'm walking in the rain
To celebrate this misery
What's that you say?
Speak up, I can't hear you
What do you say?
I couldn't hear you
Over the wall
Hand in hand
Over the wall
Watch us fall
Out on the road coast to coast
Out on the road coast to coast
I'm over the wall
I'm over the wall
I'm over the wall
Come over the wall
Come over the wall
I can't sleep at night
How I wish you'd hold me tight
I can't sleep at night
Come on and hold me tight...
I can't sleep at night
How I wish you'd hold me tight
Come on and hold me tight
I can't sleep at night
How I wish you'd hold me tight
Come on and hold me tight
Come on and hold me tight
I can't sleep at night
How I wish you'd hold me tight
Hold me tight
Hold me tight
Hold me tight
To my logical limit
To the logical limit
To my logical limit
To the logical limit
The lyrics of "Over The Wall" are cryptic and open to interpretation but they seem to be questioning the legitimacy and value of the status quo and the established authority. The man at the back with a question may represent the voice of opposition that challenges the prevailing narrative, while the monkey on the singer's back that won't stop laughing could be a symbol of the burden, cynicism, or skepticism that the singer carries. The reference to the slug on their neck that won't stop chewing may suggest a sense of corruption, decay, or decay that undermines the singer's idealism or optimism.
The chorus of "Over The Wall" repeats the phrase "Hand in hand, over the wall, watch us fall" which could be interpreted as a defiant or suicidal act of rebellion against the existing order, or as an invitation to join the singer in their quest for change, even if it entails risks and consequences. The repeated line "I'm walking in the rain, to end/celebrate this misery" could be seen as a metaphor for the singer's journey towards a resolution or acceptance of their predicament, or as a comment on the futility or beauty of existence.
The final lines of the song seem to express a desire for connection, intimacy, and comfort, as the singer repeats the phrase "Hold me tight" several times. The reference to the "logical limit" may suggest that the singer confronts the boundaries of reason, reality, or sanity in their pursuit of emotional release or human contact.
Overall, "Over The Wall" creates a haunting and enigmatic atmosphere that invites reflection and interpretation, as it intertwines personal and social themes with poetic and provocative language.
Line by Line Meaning
The man at the back has a question
Someone in the background has a query.
His tongue's involved with solutions
He is suggesting a solution to a problem.
But the monkey on my back
Won't stop laughing
I'm burdened by a problem that I cannot solve, and it's mocking me.
Over the wall
Hand in hand
Over the wall
Watch us fall
We'll cross the boundary together, but the fallout is inevitable.
There's something to be said for you
And your hopes of higher ruling
You have ambitions of being in charge, and that's admirable.
But the slug on my neck
Won't stop chewing
I'm being consumed by a problem that won't go away.
I'm walking in the rain
To end this misery
I'm walking in the rain
To celebrate this misery
What's that you say?
Speak up, I can't hear you
What do you say?
I couldn't hear you
I'm out in the rain and can't decide if it's to escape or enjoy my torment. Additionally, I can't hear you clearly.
Out on the road coast to coast
Out on the road coast to coast
Traveling from coast to coast looking for a way out.
I'm over the wall
Come over the wall
I've crossed the line and beckoning someone else to do the same.
I can't sleep at night
How I wish you'd hold me tight
Come on and hold me tight
I'm restless, yearning for an embrace.
Hold me tight
Hold me tight
Hold me tight
To the logical limit
To the logical limit
To the logical limit
I'm asking to be held tightly until I can't take it anymore.
Contributed by Caden O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
jackemlyn062
@emilybronte2005 Glad you enjoyed it. Just found this in a record shop yesterday. I'm enjoying it muchly as well!!!
James Prichard
christmas comes early, i've heard a lot of versions , but not this. glorious, thanks
Jacqui Cryer
suddenly Im a teenager back in my bedroom again! thanks for posting, muchly x
jackemlyn062
@peecogs Knew you would like it. Have you heard the Stars are Stars version called Ashes to Ashes? Another good one.
Circumpunk
A record shop? You are SO lucky! I am jealous. Thanks K. I'd have never heard this. Have you noticed the pic you have chosen looks like EATB standing on a map of the States?
P K
Circumpunk ha! I see Florida by Ian's leg, and Texas under Will. Funny how a picture of them on stage in smoke can look like a map of the states. The minds eye can pick out weird stuff.
Magnetfisch
great!