Collins' music is mostly electric guitar-driven pop, and his songwriting and vocal delivery range from the acerbicly satirical to the soulfully tender, although he is better known for the former. He built his own studio in 1994 and produced his own third solo album, Gorgeous George. He has also worked as producer with other artists, including The Proclaimers, The Cribs, and Little Barrie. Collins also produced and starred in the Channel 4 sitcom West Heath Yard.
Collins lives with his long term partner, Grace Maxwell, who also manages his career. The couple, who live in London, have one son.
In a BBC 6 Music radio interview on 18 February 2005 Collins had said he felt unwell, but ascribed the nausea and vertigo to food poisoning. Two days later he was admitted to intensive care in London's Royal Free Hospital after apparently suffering a major cerebral haemorrhage. On 25 February he underwent an operation, reportedly after suffering a second haemorrhage. The procedure was successful, and Collins began a lengthy programme of neurological rehabilitation.
Sept 2007 saw the release of Home Again, the first album since his illness. Recorded before Collins’ hospitalisation but only mixed and produced after his recovery, Edwyn worked on the album during his recovery. He was heard to sing a few bars on BBC Radio 4's Front Row, sharing strumming and chord duties with Grace. 'Crap' he said afterwards; some listeners begged to differ.
The Wheels of Love
Edwyn Collins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
At evening his longing would turn to object dismay
Evil comes in many guises many shapes and many sizes
It's in the bottle it's in the glass
That falls to the floor with a sickening crash
He needs her right now
And he wants her and now
Tom took a drive to the dive where he drank every day
He looked up askance when by chance in walked Rene
She sat down beside him indulged him a little
Bowling him over like a skittle
But feeling certain that she was bored
He lowered his eyes to the swirling floor
He needs her right now
And he wants her and how
He's got a nation to set the wheels of love in motion
Now tom don't need no keepsake
To remember that girl by
If they mention her in passing
He'll turn his head and sigh
He's got a nation to set the wheels of love in motion
A drunken nation to set the wheels of love in motion
The Wheels of Love by Edwyn Collins tells the story of Tom, a man who is struggling with his alcohol addiction and fancies a woman named Rene. Tom spends his evenings drinking at a dive bar where he encounters Rene from time to time. Though Rene talks to Tom, he feels certain that she is bored with him and lowers his eyes to the floor. Tom longs for Rene and seeks her company, but his longing turns into object dismay as he recognizes the evil that comes in many guises and in many shapes and sizes, including the bottle.
The wheels of love are set in motion when Tom takes it upon himself to initiate a drunken nation of love. He needs Rene right now and he wants her and how. Tom doesn't need a keepsake to remember Rene by because the mere mention of her name makes him turn his head and sigh. He has got a nation to bring the wheels of love in motion.
Line by Line Meaning
Tom was a lush with a crush on a girl named Rene
Tom was an alcoholic who had a strong feeling of lovesickness towards a woman named Rene
At evening his longing would turn to object dismay
In the evening, his desire for Rene would turn into disappointment and sadness as he couldn't have her
Evil comes in many guises many shapes and many sizes
Addictions can come in various forms and sizes, and they can be harmful and destructive to a person's life
It's in the bottle it's in the glass
Alcohol is the root of Tom's addiction and it's taking control of him
That falls to the floor with a sickening crash
Tom's addiction to alcohol has reached a point where he's losing control, resulting in broken bottles and glasses
He needs her right now
Tom desperately craves Rene's love and attention
And he wants her and now
Tom not only needs Rene's love but he also wants it immediately
He's got a nation to set the wheels of love in motion
Tom thinks he has the responsibility to spark a widespread feeling of love, probably referring to how he wants Rene's love but is failing to get it
Tom took a drive to the dive where he drank every day
Tom drives himself to the bar he regularly visits to consume alcohol
He looked up askance when by chance in walked Rene
Tom was surprised when Rene walked into the bar and gave her a quick look
She sat down beside him indulged him a little
Rene sat next to Tom and showed him some attention, possibly even flirted with him, for a short while
Bowling him over like a skittle
Rene took Tom by surprise in a charming way, making him fall for her even more
But feeling certain that she was bored
Tom believes that Rene got tired of him and no longer found him interesting
He lowered his eyes to the swirling floor
Tom felt disheartened by the thought of Rene getting bored, and he looked at the floor despondently
Now tom don't need no keepsake
Tom doesn't require any reminders or memories to remember Rene
To remember that girl by
To keep Rene's memory with him
If they mention her in passing
If someone mentions Rene casually or briefly
He'll turn his head and sigh
Tom will look away with a sad sigh, knowing he can't have her
He's got a nation to set the wheels of love in motion
Tom still obsesses over starting a movement of love, even though he's failing to receive it from Rene
A drunken nation to set the wheels of love in motion
Tom's version of a loving nation involves excessive drinking, which is ultimately destructive
Contributed by Jasmine M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.