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.
Walking on Your Hands
Red Lorry Yellow Lorry Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well, they've had you on your knees once
But you still don't understand
Are you walking on your hands
Are you walking on your hands
You'll know just exactly where you stand
'Cause if you try to move your feet
Oh are you walking on your hands
Are you walking on your hands
Are you walking on your hands
Are you walking on your hands
Will you get yourselves up off the ground
'Cause if you're crawling on that floor
Perhaps you just might understand
Oh are you walking on your hands
Are you walking on your hands
Are you walking on your hands
Are you walking on your hands
The lyrics to Red Lorry Yellow Lorry's song "Walking on Your Hands" speak about a struggle with power dynamics and control. The opening line, "People, are you walking on your hands", is a metaphor for submitting to authority without question or resistance. The next line, "Well, they've had you on your knees once", suggests that the person has already been forced to submit and now finds themselves in a difficult position. However, the line "But you still don't understand" implies that they are still resigned to their fate and have not yet rebelled against the oppressive force.
The chorus, "Are you walking on your hands/You'll know just exactly where you stand/Cause if you try to move your feet/It might not quite be how you planned", reinforces the idea that the person has accepted their powerless position and suggests that attempting to change things may result in unexpected consequences. The repetition of the question, "Are you walking on your hands", emphasizes the theme of subservience and encourages the listener to reflect on their own relationship with authority.
The final verse, "Will you get yourselves up off the ground/Cause if you're crawling on that floor/Perhaps you just might understand/Oh are you walking on your hands", challenges the listener to rise up and take control of their situation. The implication is that accepting a subservient position leads to a lack of understanding, but taking action and standing up for oneself can lead to enlightenment and freedom.
Overall, "Walking on Your Hands" is a poignant and thought-provoking song that encourages listeners to critically examine their relationship with power and question the authority placed over them.
Line by Line Meaning
People, are you walking on your hands
Are you blindly following what others tell you to do without thinking for yourself?
Well, they've had you on your knees once
You’ve been made to submit to authority before, but you still don’t realize what’s happening.
But you still don't understand
Despite being treated unfairly, you’re too ignorant or too scared to see the bigger picture.
You'll know just exactly where you stand
If you stop blindly following, you’ll have more control over your life and understand your place in this world.
'Cause if you try to move your feet
Trying to break free from the norm might not go as planned.
It might not quite be how you planned
You might face difficulties and uncertainties, but it’s worth the struggle.
Will you get yourselves up off the ground
Will you stop submitting and rise up to stand on your own two feet?
'Cause if you're crawling on that floor
If you stay down, you’ll never see the true potential of your capabilities.
Perhaps you just might understand
Only by breaking free and standing up for yourself, you can see the bigger picture and comprehend power dynamics.
Are you walking on your hands
Are you blindly following orders and submission, or are you striving to think for yourself and become a leader?
Are you walking on your hands
Are you allowing yourself to be controlled by others or are you taking charge of your own life?
Are you walking on your hands
Are you ready to break free from the norm and blaze your own path?
Are you walking on your hands
Are you passive or assertive in your actions and thoughts?
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: REED
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Alina
People, are you walking on your hands?
Well, they've had you on your knees
Once but they still don't understand
Are you walking on your hands?
Are you walking on your hands?
You'll know just exactly where you stand
If you try to move your feet
It might not quite be how you planned
Are you walking on your hands?
Are you walking on your hands?
Are you walking on your hands?
Are you walking on your hands?
Will you get yourselves up off the ground?
'Cause if you're crawling on that floor
Perhaps you might just understand
Are you walking on your hands?
Are you walking on your hands?
Are you walking on your hands?
Are you walking on your hands?
electricwildflower
One of the finest Positive-Punk bands EVER along sides Theatre of Hate, Bolshoi, Xmal, Ausgang, Death Cult etc. Hypnotic and rhythmic beats and the guitar works out of this world.
Mark Fudge
think these and the chameleons are the two bands lost to the world.
Vaughanie
agreed
Kitso Dube
Beautiful list
dscop442
Brilliant band/song…never gets old to me!
Damian Griffiths
I saw them in the late 80s. I think they were supporting Love and Rockets at the Town and Country Club. I hadn't heard of them, but I thought they were brilliant live. This was the song I remembered. I am certain I haven't heard it since. So for about 35 years. However, I looked up the band and the lyric and found it immediately. And the tune is exactly as I remember it. What a hook! It's so simple, but it's a fantastic song.
Dorian Grey
Saw them in Rome 1986. Great concert. Took place in a cinema...Roman guys hung out the toilet doors and put them on stage, it was complete chaos. They tought it was punk, but Red lorry Yellow Yellow Lorry was something in between. Like the "Honolulu Mountain Daffodils". god bless the 80ies!
maxdamiann
I was at that concert. At the Cinema Espero. Might have been 300 people there at the most. Completely mind-blowing. At a certain point a door was being passed around in the air in the middle of the crowd. Fucking unbelievable concert.
creepywhitegurl creepywhitegurl
WOW! how did i ever miss this song! The lyrics, the whole song rocks, I love how it ends.
João Soares
Love this band!!