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.
Happy
Red Lorry Yellow Lorry Lyrics
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In your eyes I could tell you were happy to see me
I was running from a world so cold, I was on the other side
And oh if love could be an easy game, I 'd be in your arms tonight
This is right, when you're down you look happy to see me
All along I could tell you were happy to see me
I was running from a world so cold, I was on the other side
And oh if love could be an easy game, I 'd be in your arms tonight
In your eyes I could tell you were happy to see me
All along I could tell you were happy to see me
Happy to see me. Happy to see me.
The lyrics to Red Lorry Yellow Lorry's song "Happy" are about the feeling of happiness that comes from being reunited with someone you love after a period of time apart. The singer describes how they can tell from their smile and their eyes that the other person is genuinely happy to see them. The singer reflects on how they had been running away from a cold and difficult world, but being in the presence of the other person makes everything feel right and easy. The repetition of "happy to see me" emphasizes the joy and relief of being reunited with someone who brings happiness into their life.
The lyrics of "Happy" are relatively simple but powerful in their emotional resonance. They capture the universal feeling of happiness that comes from being reunited with a loved one after a period of separation. The song is notable for its combination of driving post-punk rhythms and pop-inflected hooks, making it a standout from Red Lorry Yellow Lorry's discography.
Line by Line Meaning
In your smile I could tell you were happy to see me
I could sense your happiness in seeing me through your smile.
In your eyes I could tell you were happy to see me
I could see the joy in your eyes as you greeted me.
I was running from a world so cold, I was on the other side
I was trying to escape from a harsh, unforgiving world where I felt isolated.
And oh if love could be an easy game, I 'd be in your arms tonight
If only love was simple, I would be able to hold and cherish you tonight.
This is right, when you're down you look happy to see me
It feels like you look forward to seeing me even when you're feeling low.
All along I could tell you were happy to see me
All along, it was clear that seeing me brought you happiness.
Happy to see me. Happy to see me.
It seems that seeing me makes you happy and content.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CHRISTOPHER REED
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
paul southern
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