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.
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 of Red Lorry Yellow Lorry's "Hollow Eyes" speaks about someone who is putting up a façade, but the singer is able to see right through it. The opening lines "I've seen that look I know those eyes, I think this is a thin disguise" implies that the singer is familiar with the look of someone who is pretending to be something they're not. The repetition of "You should have seen them" emphasizes the importance of what the singer has witnessed, as if they are trying to convince someone of the authenticity of their observations.
As the song progresses, the singer talks about being alone with this person and how it's no surprise to see the person's true self revealed through their hollow eyes. There is a sense of disappointment in finding out that this person is not who they seemed, which is hinted in the line "an empty room, an empty space, but you can't really hide your face." The final lines "You hid behind those hollow eyes, you should have seen them" suggest that the person being addressed did not realize that their true self was so transparent.
Overall, "Hollow Eyes" is a song about the difficulty of hiding one's true self and the inevitability of being exposed. It speaks to the idea that even if we think we are putting on a good act, there will always be someone who can see through the façade.
Line by Line Meaning
I've seen that look I know those eyes
I have a familiarity with the expression you are currently wearing
I think this is a thin disguise
It seems that the facade you are putting up is flimsy and easily penetrable
Alone at last, but no surprise
It's not unexpected nor shocking that you are currently by yourself
I'd seen it in those hollow eyes
I noticed it was shown in your empty, soulless gaze
You should have seen them
You really should have seen how hollow their eyes were
An empty room an empty space
The area is vacant, both physically and emotionally
But you can't really hide your face
Despite your effort to conceal your emotions, your visage still reveals them
I've seen that look of hate inside
I've noticed the resentment and animosity that exists within you
I've seen it in those hollow eyes
Your hollowness and emptiness is evident in your gaze
This is the place where I have seen
It's the location in which I have witnessed
You hide behind your sunken dreams
You are concealing yourself with your shattered aspirations and desires
I had this feeling deep inside
There was a strong intuition within me
You hid behind those hollow eyes
You shielded yourself with those vacant, lifeless eyes
You should have seen them
You really should have seen how hollow their eyes were
You should have seen them
You really should have seen how hollow their eyes were
You should have seen them
You really should have seen how hollow their eyes were
You should have seen them
You really should have seen how hollow their eyes were
Lyrics Β© O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: CHRISTOPHER REED
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