The use of a drum machine seems to have been a determining feature of bands coming out of Leeds, England (the Sisters of Mercy and The Three Johns are other examples).
In 1982, independent record label Red Rhino signed the band based on the strength of some of the group's demos. Their first single "Beating My Head" made a strong appearance on the influential New Musical Express (NME) independent record chart. Fagan and Smith soon departed the band, to be replaced by Dave Wolfenden and Paul Southern respectively. In 1983 and 1984, several more singles would be released by the band (including "He's Read" and "Monkeys On Juice"). In 1985, the band's debut album, Talk About The Weather, was released and reached #1 on the NME indie rock chart. The album received generally positive reviews and sold extremely well for a small label offering. The single "Hollow Eyes" obtained good sales as well, as did follow-up non-LP singles "Chance" and "Spinning Round", the latter of which is generally felt to be the Lorries's strongest song.
The band released one more album on Red Rhino (Paint Your Wagon) in 1986, a single ("Cut Down") and a four track EP ("Crawling Mantra", released as by The Lorries), before signing to Situation Two, an off-shoot of major label Beggars Banquet Records. Two albums followed, 1988's Nothing Wrong and 1989's Blow. These albums proved to be a slight change in direction for the band. The songs here were a little slower, with stronger, more conventional melodies sweetened by occasional female backing vocals. Reed's lyrics were less downbeat, almost optimistic. Overall, Blow is a warmer album than the band's previous, somewhat dour offerings; the Lorries pretty much left their specious gothic rock trappings behind for good. Neither one of the Beggars Banquet albums appeared on any mainstream pop charts. Singles, including "Only Dreaming (Wide Awake)" and "Open Up" (which upon its release was chosen by NME as the magazineβs Single of the Week), also failed to chart, and the band was subsequently dropped by the label. In 1991, the band released Blasting Off on the tiny Sparkhead label. Despite the relative strength of the song "Talking Back" (released as a single prior to the LP), the album was considered a major disappointment by fans and sold poorly. Reed broke up what was left of the band at that point.
In 2004, Reed revived the band and released four new songs on their website and then toured Europe and a DVD, "Thunder in the Black Cave" soon followed. The band recently announced they will tour again in 2009.
03. Hollow Eyes
Red Lorry Yellow Lorry Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I think this is a thin disguise
Alone at last, but no surprise
I'd seen it in those hollow eyes
You should have seen them
You should have seen them
You should have seen them
An empty room an empty space
But you can't really hide your face
I've seen that look of hate inside
I've seen it in those hollow eyes
You should have seen them
You should have seen them
You should have seen them
You should have seen them
This is the place where I have seen
You hide behind your sunken dreams
I had this feeling deep inside
You hid behind those hollow eyes
You should have seen them
You should have seen them
You should have seen them
You should have seen them
The lyrics to Red Lorry Yellow Lorry's "Hollow Eyes" are fairly straightforward but convey a sense of understanding and recognition of someone that the singer has encountered. The repetition of the phrase "you should have seen them" only serves to emphasize the weight and significance of what the singer has observed.
The first set of lyrics indicates that the singer recognizes a familiar look in someone's eyes, but feels that the person is hiding behind a "thin disguise." The next set of lyrics further implies that the person is trying to keep their emotions concealed but they cannot hide them completely. The third set of lyrics then pinpoint a specific place where the singer has seen this behavior before.
Overall, the song seems to be about recognizing the emotions and actions of someone who is trying to conceal their true self. The use of "hollow eyes" serves as a metaphor for the feeling of emptiness and hollowness within the person's life that causes them to feel the need to hide their emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
I've seen that look I know those eyes
I am familiar with the expression on your face and the emotion in your eyes
I think this is a thin disguise
I believe you are trying to hide your true feelings with a poorly crafted act
Alone at last, but no surprise
You are finally in solitude without any unexpected interruptions
I'd seen it in those hollow eyes
I detected a sense of emptiness and lack of emotion in your eyes
You should have seen them
I wish you had the chance to witness what I observed
An empty room an empty space
The surrounding environment is lifeless and unoccupied
But you can't really hide your face
You cannot completely conceal your emotions despite trying to do so
I've seen that look of hate inside
I noticed the existence of hostility and animosity within you
I've seen it in those hollow eyes
I perceived the manifestation of those feelings through the emptiness in your gaze
This is the place where I have seen
This physical location is where my observation took place
You hide behind your sunken dreams
You use your failed aspirations as a shield and conceal your true emotions
I had this feeling deep inside
I experienced an internal intuition or instinct about your hidden emotions
You hid behind those hollow eyes
You were concealing your emotions within the emptiness in your gaze
You should have seen them
I wish you could have witnessed the same emotions I detected
You should have seen them
I wish you could have witnessed the same emotions I detected
You should have seen them
I wish you could have witnessed the same emotions I detected
You should have seen them
I wish you could have witnessed the same emotions I detected
Lyrics Β© OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@katherinebastet232
I've seen that look, I know those eyes
I think this is a thin disguise
Alone at last, but no surprise
I'd seen it in those hollow eyes
You should have seen them
You should have seen them
You should have seen them
You should have seen them
An empty room, an empty space
But you can't really hide your face
I've seen that look of hate inside
I've seen it in those hollow eyes
You should have seen them
You should have seen them
You should have seen them
You should have seen them
This is the place where I have seen
You hide behind your sunken dreams
I had this feeling deep inside
You hid behind those hollow eyes
You should have seen them
You should have seen them
You should have seen them
You should have seen them
@ghostswitches305
I walked a dirt road along the river today, while it was snowing, listening to this. It amplified the atmosphere.
@beelzabubba
I'm in a Red L Yellow L resurgence in my own listening patterns... they had better get a song in a new movie soon. They are a great band and deserve to be heard by millions... a spot on a good movie soundtrack would do it... Go RLYL...!!!
@giodelvecchio243
Thanks, God, for bringing such talented people to earth
@VyktorAbyss
This song sounds so much like Joy Division.....And by that I means its awesome - so much energy, and that bass....awesome. I'm only 32 so wasn't really liatening to music in the 80s, but I have become addicted to the music now, and it was a great, great pleasure the first time I heard this song. I hope the band members are still making music since they were very talented.
@MOJONIXION
This is one of the best bands of the 1980s! How they seemed to stay under the skin of popularity is a mystry to me.
@marcelbilbao
one of the most criminally over look bands of all times..they're so fucking good
@MaliciousChickenAgenda
Not heard this in years! Brilliant tune :)
@corvuscorvac1646
toujours du plaisir a écouté ce groupe phare de la scène gothique , que du bonheur !
@fredgreg9437
Above ordinary reality there is the talent. Perfect night music. Thank you RLYL.
@aselromanos3167
Temazoooo, brutalllπ΅πΈπ€π