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 magazine’s 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.
Gift That Shines
Red Lorry Yellow Lorry Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can't steal them they're not ours
Sits right in your hand and shines
You say reach for these
It's not easy on my knees
The way you offer me to climb
I've been entertaining yesterday
I don't need a gift from yesterday
I don't need a gift that shines
Kiss the book and say
You can have them if you pay but
What you hold today looks bright
Reaching for the sky won't bring them nearer if you try
Shining up above
Now I kiss the book and say
You'll touch the stars one day
It's a big tall wish to fly
It's a big tall wish to fly
I've been entertaining yesterday
past and present they're all mine
I don't need a gift from yesterday
I don't need a gift that shines
I don't need a gift that shines
The lyrics to Red Lorry Yellow Lorry's "Gift That Shines" reflect a struggle between wanting to reach for the stars and realizing that some things, such as the stars, are unattainable. The first verse speaks to the idea that the singer is reaching for something that they cannot have - the stars - and recognizes that they belong to no one, they are not theirs to take. However, the second line "Sits right in your hand and shines" is a contrast, as the gift that the singer is being offered is described as something attainable that they can hold in their hands and see it's shine. The third line of the verse "You say reach for these, it's not easy on my knees" indicates that the singer is given a challenging task, but one that they can achieve, even though it may not be easy. The second verse speaks to the idea that the singer is living in the present moment and they do not need gifts or accomplishments from their past, they are content with where they are now. The use of the repetition of the line "I don't need a gift from yesterday, I don't need a gift that shines" reinforces this idea.
The chorus is where the contrast between wanting to reach for the stars and recognizing that it is not possible becomes more apparent. In the first line, the singer speaks of kissing a book and saying that they can have the stars if they pay, but the second line indicates that what they hold in their hands looks bright, so it is not necessary to reach for the sky. The line "Reaching for the sky won't bring them nearer if you try" further emphasizes the idea that some things are simply out of reach, no matter how hard one tries. The chorus ends with the line "Now I kiss the book and say, You'll touch the stars one day", leaving the listener with a sense of hope that one day they might be able to reach for what they truly desire.
Overall, the lyrics to "Gift That Shines" suggest that while it is important to aspire for greatness and reach for the stars, it is equally important to recognize that some things are out of reach and that happiness can be found in the present rather than the past or the future.
Line by Line Meaning
Reaching for the stars
Aspiring for greatness and success beyond reach
I can't steal them they're not ours
Recognition that success can't be obtained through dishonest means
Sits right in your hand and shines
Success can be achieved through hard work and perseverance
You say reach for these
Encouragement to strive for success
It's not easy on my knees
Acknowledgement that the path to success is difficult
The way you offer me to climb
The encouragement to pursue success inspires the singer
I've been entertaining yesterday
The singer reflects on past mistakes and accomplishments
Past and present they're all mine
The artist takes ownership of their past and present experiences
I don't need a gift from yesterday
The artist doesn't want success handed to them based on past achievements
I don't need a gift that shines
The artist doesn't want success that is only superficially impressive
Kiss the book and say
Acknowledgment of societal norms and expectations
You can have them if you pay but
Success often comes with a steep price
What you hold today looks bright
Present opportunities for success look promising
Reaching for the sky won't bring them nearer if you try
Success can't be achieved merely by setting lofty goals
Shining up above
The perception of success as a distant and impressive goal
Now I kiss the book and say
The artist has internalized societal expectations about success
You'll touch the stars one day
Encouragement to pursue success, even if it's difficult
It's a big tall wish to fly
Success is an ambitious and difficult goal
I've been entertaining yesterday
Reflection on past experiences continutes
past and present they're all mine
The artist assumes responsibility for their past and present experiences
I don't need a gift from yesterday
The artist doesn't want success based on past efforts
I don't need a gift that shines
The artist doesn't value success that is only superficially impressive
Contributed by Carter E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Joseph Hammersmith
Beautiful song... it is also played by Sisters of Mercy
stv cascante
Mi cancion favorita de este album ! Es el mejor album blow
Clematisian
. . . Dark Psychedelia ... Who'd've ever thunk? ... My all-time favourite RLYL Lp ... Saw them in '90 @ the long defunct East Village venue, Woody's ... Unforgettable ... Thanx, Daemon288, for the upload ...
Matti Dohmeier
Great Song..
Daemon288
I recently heard their cover from the xxx tour, that's what had me put the original up, I didn't see it on here. :)
johnny mackin
I don't need a gift that shiiiiiiiines
karl komberg
so cool thanx,,,,,,,,,z