Recoil was born in 1986 as a two-track experimental EP. Simply entitled ‘1 + 2’, this collection of primitive demos caught the attention of Mute Records label boss Daniel Miller and was inconspicuously released as a mini-album on 12" vinyl. An album, Hydrology, soon followed in 1988 and both were eventually re-issued by Mute on CD as Hydrology plus 1+2. These early Recoil recordings revealed Alan’s position as a pioneer in the newly emerging world of sampling technology and demonstrated how he could turn the Depeche sound around to create something entirely new. Wilder described the project at the time as “... an antidote to Depeche Mode; a way to alleviate the frustrations of always working within a pop format”.
Almost immediately, Wilder found himself back in the studio to record what would become the most successful Depeche Mode album to date,‘Violator’. It wasn’t until the band finally allowed themselves an extended break after the enormously successful 'World Violation' tour that Alan could return to Recoil - not, however, before agreeing to produce Ebbhead, an album for label-mates Nitzer Ebb. It was during this time that he cemented a working relationship with lead singer Douglas McCarthy who would return the favour by singing on Recoil’s next album,‘Bloodline’.
Released in 1992, Wilder recruited guest vocalists for the first time with further contributions from Curve's Toni Halliday and Moby, helping to produce an album that demonstrated his ability to concoct slow-burning soundscapes drenched in drowsy paranoia. Bloodline also marked the first Recoil single, a cover of Alex Harvey’s song ‘Faith Healer' as well as the innovative 'Electro Blues For Bukka White', featuring the posthumously sampled voice of Blues-man Bukka White set into a post-modern context - an influential idea later popularised by others.
Between 1992-93 Wilder resumed his Depeche duties as the band recorded the album ‘Songs Of Faith And Devotion’. Released to universal acclaim, it topped the charts in the UK, USA, Germany and a host of other countries. Enjoying hits with ‘I Feel You’, ‘Walking In My Shoes’, ‘In Your Room’ and ‘Condemnation’, the Mode embarked on their most adventurous tour to date, enduring a gruelling 15 months on the road. Although the group had reached the pinnacle of success, aspects of the lifestyle had taken their toll on everyone and things eventually came to a head. In June 1995, having spent 14 years as an integral part of one of the most popular and influential bands the UK has ever produced, Alan Wilder made the difficult but inevitable decision to leave Depeche Mode.
Free from his group commitments, Wilder could now focus solely on Recoil. In September 1996, he began work in his own studio, ‘The Thin Line’, gradually piecing together the unnerving scores that would eventually reveal Recoil's next album ‘Unsound Methods’. The final results were more impressive than ever. What emerged appeared to take up where ‘Songs Of Faith And Devotion’ had left off. Guest vocalists featured Maggie Estep, Siobhan Lynch, the reappearance of Douglas McCarthy, and Hildia Cambell. The styles of each could not be more removed from one another helping to create a startlingly original and diverse collection. The more organic style of Unsound Methods incorporated every imaginable musical genre from trip-hop to gospel whilst dealing with the subject of obsession in all its manifestations, taking the listener to the edge of unease, through dark, dub-infected landscapes, reverberating with shivering piano, seductive strings and a deep electronic pulse.
In the Spring of 2000, Recoil gave us Liquid which this time utilised the unique qualities of internationally acclaimed fellow Mute artist Diamanda Galás, 1940's Gospel crooners The Golden Gate Jubilee Quartet, along with New York spoken-word performers Nicole Blackman and Samantha Coerbell. The worldwide music press received the Liquid album with a host of glowing reviews and Wilder was awarded the Charles Cros Grand Prix 2000. Strangely enthralling and genuinely unhinging, Liquid masquerades as the aural equivalent of a disturbing movie. Wilder's intoxicating soundscapes kick up clouds of the same dark dust that falls on David Lynch or Nine Inch Nails, but where others may hammer out their message with histrionic force, his touch is lighter and characteristically more subtle.
Now, following a 5 year break from recording, Alan Wilder returns with Recoil's 5th studio album, entitled subHuman released in July 2007.
Collaborating this time is Blues-man Joe Richardson with his band Joe Richardson Express, whose evocative vocal style is complimented by accomplished guitar and harmonica performances. Born in Southern Louisiana, Richardson spent years immersed in the murkier side of New Orleans life and offers a unique commentary on conflict, religion, incarceration and personal struggle. English singer Carla Trevaskis, a songwriter in her own right, brings an expressive range and control to subHuman and has worked with artists as diverse as Fred de Faye (Eurythmics), Cliff Hewitt (Apollo 440) and Dave McDonald (Portishead).
Says Wilder: “We seem to have learnt nothing from past experiences and our so called ‘civilised’ world is still awash with personal and global atrocities. From suicide bombings in the Middle East, to ethnic cleansing in the Balkans; from the homophobic rhetoric of the Christian fundamentalist preacher, to the activities of Western governments engaged in their ‘war on terror’".
subHuman asks us to reach within ourselves and extract the very essence of what makes us human - and more importantly what allows us to subordinate others, sometimes with the most brutal consequences. "We are all 'subhuman' in somebody's eyes."
Official site: http://www.recoil.co.uk
Stalker
Recoil Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Her serenity oozed into my ear
It didn't take long for her to know me
And I knew it felt good
Pick me up and use me
Pick me up and use me she was saying
You are nothing
You are nothing
You are nothing without me
If I am taken,
You think that you can live again
But you are nothing
You are nothing without me
You know I'm here for you,
Right here for you
See I am the punished one
She, she took all the glory
She took everything,
Everything I had to give
Sucking it out of me
But I am always gonna be here
Because I am the punished one
She took everything,
She took all the glory,
Everything I had to give
Sucking it out of me
You are nothing
You are nothing without me
You are nothing
You are nothing without me
If I am taken,
You think that you can live again
But you are nothing
You are nothing without me
Without me, you're nothing
The lyrics of Recoil's song Stalker explore themes of power dynamics, control, and co-dependency in relationships. The lyrics depict the singer's infatuation with a woman, who he initially describes as being able to create a perfect picture with her voice. She has a calming effect on him and he takes pleasure in the feelings that she elicits within him. The woman, in turn, senses his vulnerability and tells him to pick her up and use her. The singer seems to accept this role, and the repetitive chorus "You are nothing without me" suggests that he has become reliant on her for his identity and well-being.
As the song progresses, the power dynamic between the two becomes more complicated. The woman takes all the glory, sucking everything out of him and leaving him punished. He remains devoted to her, however, stating that he will always be there, despite her taking everything he had to give. The lyrics suggest that the relationship is not a healthy one, with the singer's identity becoming intertwined with the woman's and his self-worth and existence being tied to her.
In conclusion, the lyrics of Stalker by Recoil depict a relationship characterized by power imbalance, co-dependency, and control. The singer's dependency on the woman is evident throughout the song, with the chorus emphasizing his reliance on her for his identity and existence.
Line by Line Meaning
I can make a perfect picture from a voice
Her voice is so soothing and calming that it paints a perfect picture of her in my head
Her serenity oozed into my ear
Her peaceful demeanor seeped into my ears and put me at ease
It didn't take long for her to know me
She quickly understood me and got to know me well
And I knew it felt good
I enjoyed the feeling of being so easily understood
Pick me up and use me
She wants me to be there for her and take care of her needs
Pick me up and use me she was saying
She is asking me to be her support system and fulfill her desires
You are nothing
You are worthless and insignificant
You are nothing without me
You cannot survive or thrive without me in your life
If I am taken,
If I am no longer around,
You think that you can live again
You believe that you can move on and continue living
But you are nothing
But you will realize that you are useless and powerless
You are nothing without me
You cannot exist meaningfully without me by your side
You know I'm here for you,
You are aware that I will always be there for you
Right here for you
I am available and ready to assist you at any time
See I am the punished one
I am the one who suffers the consequences of our relationship
She, she took all the glory
She took all the credit and recognition for what we accomplished together
She took everything,
She took all that I had
Everything I had to give
I gave her everything I had to offer
Sucking it out of me
She drained me of all my energy and resources
But I am always gonna be here
But I will always be her loyal companion
Because I am the punished one
I continue to suffer the consequences of my actions and my loyalty to her
Without me, you're nothing
You are incapable of functioning effectively without my presence
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@NEOpantos
I can make a perfect picture
From a voice
And her serenity
Oozed into my ear
(I'll be watching you)
It didn't take long for her to know me
(I know what you're wearing)
And I knew it felt good
Pick me up and use me
Pick me up and use me,
She was saying
She - She...
You are nothing
You are nothing without me
You are nothing
If I am taken
You think that you can live again
But you are nothing
You are nothing without me
(Miss,
I'm tracing your call right now)
You know I'm here for you
Right here for you
(All right miss, Miss,
I have located you and I have a car on the way)
See, I am the punished one
She, she took all the glory
She took everything,
Everything I had to give
Sucking it out of me
But I'm always gonna be here
'Cause I am the punished one
She took everything,
She took all the glory
Everything I had to give
Sucking it out of me
Sucking it out of me
Sucking it out of me
You are nothing
You are nothing without me
You are nothing
If I am taken
You think that you can live again
But you are nothing
You are nothing without me
Without me, Without me
You're nothing
Without me, Without me
You're nothing
You know I am here for you
Right here for you
See, I am the punished one
She, she took all the glory
She took everything
@aepimienta
"Without me (without me)...
You're nothing!"
The way Douglas sings this part. It just moves many feelings in my head that I can't even describe. It's too perfect!
@pascalejacquelinepetit5131
The diversity of sounds and topics from the Recoil project is amazing! This song specifically, can have so many interpretations, even by an individual, depending on their moods. Although nothing from Recoil in the public domain over the last few years, hoping Alan is still experimenting, and making music in 2022.
@avilimovich
No. Alan is not experimenting. He died about 10 years ago as a musical genius. There's no point in waiting for him to return. You won't find any news about him in the last 10 years.
@alexpimienta9758
This is my favorite music video ever. I'm a Recoil fan since 1997, I was a teen back then.
@rafiqadarr6217
Someone said here - if only Nitzer Ebb made music like this. No actually - if only Depeche Mode made music like this, it is the music they wish they had made. Absolute genius compositions from Alan, with sublime Douglas McCarthy on lead vocals. It is dangerous, sensual and absolutely masterful - you should do short-film music or compositions, Alan, your music would really suit films. I love Stalker, Incubus, and Faith Healer, your version of that song. It show-cases AW’s brilliance as a musician, always was an absolute tech-genius on the synthesisers. Masterful compositions, thrilling to listen to, and I like the art-work on the album sleeves.
@musiclove4635
Nothing better than a collaboration of the Boss and Doug McCarthy
@ZakusDM
the music provokes a desire...the desire as strong as animal instinct and as pure as angel's breath.
@blinkypushbuttons
Nobody cares, Gary.
@luisgahandm93
The World Need's Recoil/Alan Wilder Ex- Depeche Mode 👌
@mgrpnr
I love to listen at midnight🔥🔥