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.
Only Dreaming
Red Lorry Yellow Lorry Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I heard it yesterday
'cos you're the one i'm thinking of
In such a special way
Even in my wildest dream
i never thought this could come true
Want to touch you, want to hold you
Want to give my life away
I hate the things you say
My arms around you put me down
In such a special way
Want to touch you, want to hold you
Want to kiss my life away
Only dreaming in your side
Only dreaming, only dreaming
If love is sweet, then i am thorn
By every move you make
I lose my grip as i have found
By this our last mistake
Even in my wildest dream
I never thought this could com true
Want to touch you, want to hold you
Want to give my life away
The lyrics to "Only Dreaming" by Red Lorry Yellow Lorry seem to be about a dysfunctional and potentially abusive relationship. The first stanza alludes to the phrase "you always hurt the one you love" and the singer acknowledges that they've heard this before. They can't help but think of the one they love "in such a special way," even if it's not good for them. The second stanza starts with a dream-like quality, as if the singer is not sure if what's happening is real. They describe wanting to touch and hold the object of their affection, even going as far as giving their life away for them. However, the third stanza shows the darker side of the relationship. The singer has cut their skin to break the other person's fall, and hates the things they say. Plus, being in the arms of the other person makes them feel bad about themselves. In the last stanza, the singer acknowledges that this love is not healthy for them, but they can't help dreaming about it.
Overall, the lyrics paint a picture of an unhealthy love that the singer can't help but be drawn to. It's unclear whether the other person is abusive or if the singer is willingly putting themselves in harm's way, but the lyrics suggest a toxic relationship dynamic.
Line by Line Meaning
You always hurt the one you love
It's common for people to hurt their loved ones.
I heard it yesterday
I recently heard this saying.
'Cos you're the one I'm thinking of
Because you're always on my mind.
In such a special way
You hold a special place in my heart.
Even in my wildest dream
I never imagined this could be possible.
I never thought this could come true
I never expected to be in this situation.
Want to touch you, want to hold you
I long to be close to you.
Want to give my life away
I would sacrifice everything for you.
I cut my skin to break your fall
I would do anything to protect you, even if it harms me.
I hate the things you say
Your words can hurt me deeply.
My arms around you put me down
Being close to you overwhelms me with emotion.
Want to kiss my life away
I am willing to risk everything for a chance to be with you.
Only dreaming in your side
I only feel alive when I'm with you.
If love is sweet, then I am thorn
Love can be both beautiful and painful.
By every move you make
Everything you do affects me deeply.
I lose my grip as I have found
Being with you makes me feel like I'm losing control.
By this our last mistake
Being together may ultimately lead to heartbreak.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CHRISTOPHER PAUL REED, DAVID WOLFENDEN, LEON DAVID PHILLIPS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Severus Epans
Had it on vinyl and played a lot. :)
queremos glam
🤘
The Chernov Archive
thank God for the Lorries, one of the best bands in human history, shame they never got the success they deserved, still hoping for another batch of reunion shows
Fonseca Figueredo
Espetacular som top
ivorytower99
*Shared*. A classic from my teens. BIG thanks to The Arkive!
RLYL should tour with 'the chain.
Sammy
They sound like Joy Division meets the Cure on a poppish nite 😮
FABI P
Volume is off, sorry for that.