Red Lorry Yellow Lorry (commonly referred to simply as "The Lorries") is a … Read Full Bio ↴Red Lorry Yellow Lorry (commonly referred to simply as "The Lorries") is a post-punk band formed by guitarist/songwriter Chris Reed and vocalist Mark Sweeney, along with bassist Steve Smith and drummer Mick Brown (who would later join The Mission). Sweeney left the band in late 1981 and Reed permanently took over as vocalist, with Martin Fagan joining as a second guitarist. The group's sound, featuring a numbing guitar drone, powerfully throbbing drums, and Reed's cavernous vocal tones, caused the Lorries (as their fans came to call them) to be quickly lumped into the then-developing gothic rock scene by pop journalists, although the band themselves preferred to cite Killing Joke and Wire as influences.
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.

Last Train
Red Lorry Yellow Lorry Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Desert the streets they hold no wealth
I looked around at no one else
There's nothing left for you and me
And it's not hard for me to see

We're on the last train, we're on the last train
Last train, we're on the last train
There's someone screaming to get out

But no-one really hears them shout

There's no escape just one long ride
So close the doors and stay inside
We're on the last train, we're on the last train

Last train, we're on the last train
Last train, we're on the last train...

Overall Meaning

In Red Lorry Yellow Lorry's song "Last Train," the singer paints a bleak picture of society and the world, suggesting that there is nothing left for them on the streets. Additionally, they note that they seem to be the only one and that there is no hope for others, highlighting the pervasive sense of despair and hopelessness. The lyrics suggest that there is a final, last train that they are on, and that there is no escape, just a long and difficult journey. The singer notes that there are people screaming to get out, but no one seems to be listening, which highlights the sense of alienation and isolation in society.

Musically, the song is characterized by its heavy, driving beat and the use of distorted guitars, which help to contribute to the song's sense of urgency and despair. The repetitive, driving nature of the music helps to reinforce the idea that the singer and the rest of the world are on a one-way journey with no hope of escape.

Overall, "Last Train" is a powerful and thought-provoking song that speaks to the sense of despair and hopelessness that many people experience in today's world. Through its stark lyrics and driving music, it captures a sense of desperation and urgency that is all too familiar to many of us.

Line by Line Meaning

Desert the streets they hold no wealth
Abandon the streets, they have nothing to offer.

I looked around at no one else
No one else is around me as I observe.

There's nothing left for you and me
We have nothing left to gain from this place.

And it's not hard for me to see
It is easy for me to recognize.

We're on the last train, we're on the last train
We are onboard the final train.

Last train, we're on the last train
This is the ultimate train.

There's someone screaming to get out
Someone is shouting to leave.

But no-one really hears them shout
No one pays notice to their cries.

There's no escape just one long ride
There is no alternative, just a prolonged journey.

So close the doors and stay inside
Secure the doors and remain indoors.

Last train, we're on the last train
This train is the final option.