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.
Peter Pan
Patrick Wolf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I was walking into walls
'Till I walked myself to Peter
And I let my shadows fall.
He's a boy who never ages.
Rides a goat around the lake
He's a friend who never falters
He said dance across the battle
But punch straight through that wall
Though your knuckles may be bleeding
They'll be healed before the fall.
After war comes peace
After peace comes war
But remember
If it weren't for fighting.
We'd be fighting for ever more
The lyrics to Patrick Wolf's song "Peter Pan" tell a story of a lost and confused individual who is stumbling through life, battling internal struggles and fighting against obstacles they encounter. However, the singer comes across Peter Pan, a symbol of eternal youth and freedom, who helps him let go of his fears and embrace the present moment. Peter encourages the singer to dance through life, embrace the battle and punch straight through walls, even if it means getting hurt along the way. He reminds him that the cycle of war and peace is inevitable, but it is through fighting that we are able to gain a sense of clarity and reach a state of peace.
The lyrics appear to be about the struggles and growing pains of adulthood, and the desire to hold on to the freedom and innocence of youth. The concept of Peter Pan embodies this desire and serves as a beacon of hope and guidance for the singer. The idea of fighting through the battle and becoming stronger for it is a theme that is reflected in the lyrics, and it seems to suggest that facing our fears head-on is the only way to truly overcome them.
In conclusion, the lyrics to Patrick Wolf's "Peter Pan" are a powerful and insightful message about the struggles of growing up, the importance of embracing the present moment, and the inevitability of the cycle of war and peace.
Line by Line Meaning
I was stumbling into battle
I found myself in the middle of conflict that I did not have the skills, strength or confidence to face.
I was walking into walls
I was making slow progress because of my predisposition for self-sabotage.
'Till I walked myself to Peter
Until I travelled across the threshold which marked the boundary of my old, restricted world.
And I let my shadows fall.
And I allowed parts of myself which were previously obscured in darkness to be illuminated.
He's a boy who never ages.
Peter is a symbol of eternal youth and a reminder that time is fleeting.
Rides a goat around the lake
Challenges convention and takes pleasure in things that others would not find amusing.
He's a friend who never falters
Peter is someone who will not desert you in your time of need and will always be there to offer guidance and support.
To change my circling fate.
To break the cycle of self-destructive behaviour and create a new destiny which is more enriching.
He said dance across the battle
Peter advises the listener to remain light and nimble even in the midst of a difficult struggle.
But punch straight through that wall
To remain focused and determined even when the road ahead feels impossible.
Though your knuckles may be bleeding
Even when you are hurt and in pain, you must continue to persevere.
They'll be healed before the fall.
Your wounds will be healed in time to give you the strength to face your final battle.
After war comes peace
There is a natural cycle of ebbs and flows in life, and times of conflict are always followed by moments of calm and stability.
After peace comes war
Equally, periods of tranquillity can only last for so long until a new challenge arises which requires renegotiation and transformation.
But remember
It is important to keep in mind that even when things seem difficult, there is always the potential for change and growth.
If it weren't for fighting.
Without difficult battles, we would not be spurred on to make progress, and life would lose much of its richness and meaning.
We'd be fighting for ever more
If we did not learn from our experiences and develop new ways of understanding and coping, we would be trapped in patterns of conflict indefinitely.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: PATRICK WOLF
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind