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.

Pushing On
Red Lorry Yellow Lorry Lyrics

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Moving on
Don't ever look behind
Keep pushing on
Don't ever turn your eyes
Running on to nowhere
Stepping on the past
This talk of revolution
I was never meant to last

Keeps pushing on
Pushing on
Pushing on me
And on... me !
Riding on
Don't ever stop to stare
Keep pushing on
This fever is on fire
Buiding up to nowhere
Leave no trace behind
This race for revolution
Keeps pushing on my mind
Pushing on, pushing on me
Pushing on, pushing on me
Pushing on, pushing on me

Pushing on, pushing on me
Pushing on, pushing on,... me !

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Red Lorry Yellow Lorry's song Pushing On suggest a sense of urgency and a desire to move forward without looking back or getting caught up in the past. The song seems to be about the importance of perseverance and the need to keep pushing on despite setbacks or obstacles. The repeated use of the phrase "pushing on" creates a sense of momentum and forward motion.

The line "This talk of revolution, I was never meant to last" suggests a sense of disillusionment or frustration with revolutionary ideals. It suggests that the singer may have once been idealistic or involved in political activism but has since lost faith in the cause. The song seems to be about the importance of staying focused on the present and the future, rather than getting bogged down in past failures or disappointments.

The chorus of the song, with its repeated use of the phrase "pushing on," creates a sense of urgency and momentum. The repetition of the phrase emphasizes the importance of perseverance and the need to keep moving forward. The lyrics suggest that there may be obstacles or challenges in the way, but the singer is determined to keep pushing on towards their goal.

Overall, the lyrics to Pushing On by Red Lorry Yellow Lorry are about the importance of perseverance and the need to keep pushing forward towards one's goals. The song suggests a sense of urgency and momentum, with the repetition of the phrase "pushing on" emphasizing the importance of perseverance and forward motion.

Line by Line Meaning

Moving on
Continuing to progress

Don't ever look behind
Do not dwell on the past

Keep pushing on
Continue to strive forward

Don't ever turn your eyes
Avoid distractions and stay focused

Running on to nowhere
Moving forward without a clear destination

Stepping on the past
Moving on from previous experiences

This talk of revolution
Discussions of change and progress

I was never meant to last
My involvement was temporary

Keeps pushing on
The idea of revolution continues to persist

Pushing on
Pushing forward despite obstacles

Pushing on me
The pressure of progress weighing on me

And on... me !
The pressure continues to persist

Riding on
Continuing to move forward

Don't ever stop to stare
Do not get distracted by external factors

This fever is on fire
The desire for change is intense

Building up to nowhere
Building momentum without a clear goal

Leave no trace behind
Do not let past experiences hinder progress

This race for revolution
The pursuit of progress and change

Keeps pushing on my mind
The idea of change continues to occupy my thoughts

Pushing on, pushing on me
The pressure to progress is constantly weighing on me

Pushing on, pushing on,... me !
The pressure to progress is intense and persistent

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CHRISTOPHER PAUL REED, DAVID WOLFENDEN, LEON DAVID PHILLIPS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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