He began experimenting with sound and four-track recording at the age of 11, eventually building an arsenal of instruments that included junk-shop organs and a home-built theremin. At the age of 14 he joined the pop-art collective Minty, a venture that caught the eyes and ears of Fat Cat Records, which went on to supply the youth with a computer and mixing tools for aid in his newfound audio experimentation. He left home at the age of 16 and formed Maison Crimineaux with his friend Fanny, which eventually found its way to France where the noisy duo played a show attended by electronic maestro Kristian Robinson (aka Capitol K), who went on to release Wolf's lauded 2003 debut. With Lycanthropy reaching number 39 in the NME's top LPs of the year, as well as receiving critical acclaim throughout Europe and America, Wolf decided to study composition at the Trinity College Music Conservatoire.
The results of that endeavor can be heard on his 2005 release Wind in the Wires, a dark collection of moody British folk and chamber pop with a chilly laptop sheen.
Wolf released his third album, and the first on a major label, The Magic Position, in February 2007. A concept album on the theme of love, the majority of it was written after the end of a long term intimate relationship. It featured collaborations with Marianne Faithfull and Edward Larrikin of Larrikin Love.
His fourth album, The Bachelor, was originally supposed to be part of a double album called Battle (the other disc was to be called The Conqueror). It was released on 1 June 2009. Guest musicians included Atari Teenage Riot's Alec Empire, actress Tilda Swinton, folk musician Eliza Carthy and avant-garde electronic pioneer Matthew Herbert.
Wolf's fifth album, Lupercalia, was released on 20 June 2011 by Hideout, a subsidiary of Mercury Records. Songfacts explains that the album title refers to the fertility and love festival which the ancient Romans celebrated between February 13-15 (the predecessor to Valentine's Day).
His latest release is a double album entitled Sundark and Riverlight, celebrating Wolf's 10 years as a recording artist. The album features acoustic re-recordings of songs from throughout his career, as well as previously unheard tracks.
Accident & Emergency
Patrick Wolf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So come on
Give me the worst and then again
I'm feeling braver than I've ever been
From the skull down to the feet
All out for blood and sweat and meat
And for
Accident! Emergency!
To terrorists, catastrophe
Drop this agony, and misery
Give me accident and emergency
So what happens when you lose everything?
You just carry on and with a grin
(Sing!)
For all that your life has to bring,
And just get yourself back into the ring
(Knock it out!)
For accident and emergency
To terrorists, catastrophe
Drop this agony, and misery
Hold on for accident and emergency
If you never lose
How you gonna know when you won?
If it's never dark
How you gonna know the sun?
When it shines
You've got to let it shine
Accident. Emergency.
Accident. Emergency.
C'mon!
Accident. Emergency.
Accident. Emergency.
C'mon!
Accident and emergency
Bringing out the best in me
The song Accident & Emergency by Patrick Wolf is about facing life's challenges head-on and finding strength in difficult times. The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "Accident! Emergency!" which refers to the need for swift action and urgent attention in times of crisis. The lyrics encourage the listener to face their fears and embrace the unknown, suggesting that adversity can lead to personal growth and self-discovery.
The song's opening lines, "So come on / Give me the worst and then again / I'm feeling braver than I've ever been," set the tone for the rest of the song. The singer is ready to face whatever challenges come their way, and they are confident that they will emerge stronger on the other side. The imagery of blood, sweat, and meat suggests a visceral, physical struggle, while the repetition of "accident and emergency" reinforces the urgency of the message.
As the song progresses, the lyrics become more introspective, asking "What happens when you lose everything?" The answer is to "just carry on and with a grin," embracing whatever life brings and finding joy in the struggle. The final lines of the song suggest that without adversity, we cannot fully appreciate the good times: "If you never lose / How you gonna know when you won? / If it's never dark / How you gonna know the sun?" Overall, the song is a powerful message of resilience and hope in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
(Emergency!)
A call for immediate help and attention
So come on
Encouragement to face the situation
Give me the worst and then again
Asking for the most challenging circumstances to overcome
I'm feeling braver than I've ever been
Confident and ready to face any challenge
From the skull down to the feet
Refers to the entire body, needing all parts in action
All out for blood and sweat and meat
Willing to give everything to succeed
And for
Accident! Emergency!
To terrorists, catastrophe
Drop this agony, and misery
Give me accident and emergency
Urging for sudden and critical events to happen, rather than prolonged issues
So what happens when you lose everything?
You just carry on and with a grin
(Sing!)
For all that your life has to bring,
And just get yourself back into the ring
(Knock it out!)
Advice to keep going and find joy in life despite hardships
Hold on for accident and emergency
Stay committed to the immediate and critical situation
If you never lose
How you gonna know when you won?
If it's never dark
How you gonna know the sun?
When it shines
You've got to let it shine
Success and brightness are more meaningful in contrast with failure and hardship
Accident. Emergency.
Accident. Emergency.
C'mon!
Accident. Emergency.
Accident. Emergency.
C'mon!
Repeated call to action to seek out the critical and challenging experiences
Accident and emergency
Bringing out the best in me
Acknowledge the positive growth and development that can result from immediately challenging circumstances
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: PATRICK WOLF
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
AnnaLaFleur
Still watch this video for inspiration 10 years on from when I heard it first. Patrick will forever be an icon to me <3
Julia M
Mister Patrick Wolf, you are truly otherworldly. From the first time I heard this song many moons ago, to when I finally had the lovely chance to meeting you at a small show at a beautiful Victorian house in San Francisco. You will always be one of my favorite human beings to have graced my existence. Thank you for your music beautiful soul.
pajamaparty01
Perfect. He is the only thing that makes me happy sometimes.
Todd Strandberg
I have great hope for Mr. Wolf's songs when they start off, but they never reach the point where I can say, "I like this one."
Xtimus
this is my first time hearing patrick wolf and i gotta say this music is truely different and is its own special sound which is somthing we need in music.
CoolJRT
I love when TV series use songs as their theme (Bizarre E.R. in this case) because they introduce you to a whole new world of music
onlyjustaperson
In my opinion this video exhibits amateurism at its best. Absolutely brilliant! I’m smitten!
Richard Dearnley
This will be a great song to play on a jukebox in a bar after thls shit is over!
Irina Kitsch
ohhh myy even when I feel down, this video makes me happy. his dorky face makes me smile. I adore this guy!
Christy Sullivans
This was a huge hit at the time I remember life before HIV and heroin. Wild times back when this was released.. libertines era