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.
World Around
Red Lorry Yellow Lorry Lyrics
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You're looking to the future
But you see no more
Youthought you had the answer
You thought you had the secret
But it's hard to tell
In this world around
When you're tumbing down
The sense is there to blind you
The plan is there to guide you
With a mightly hand
You sink into the future
You're searching for some meaning
But it's hard to tell
On and on, it goes on and on
On and on just the same
On and on, it goes on and on
On and on, just like rain
If only i could reason
If i could speak to someone
Who could understand
Just holding on to something
And reaching out for someone
Who can touch the truth
The lyrics to Red Lorry Yellow Lorry's song "World Around" depict the struggle of trying to hold onto something and looking towards the future while feeling lost and obscure. The singer seems to have been confident before, believing they had it all figured out and had a hold on secrets and answers, but now they are tumbling down and cannot tell what is real anymore in their surroundings. The sense, or judgment, is there to blind them and the plan to guide them, but they sink deeper into the future, searching for meaning but finding it hard to comprehend. The repetition of "on and on" emphasizes the cyclical nature of our lives and how it can feel like we are in a never-ending monotony. The singer wishes they could reason or speak to someone who understands, so they cling to something and reach out for someone to touch the truth.
The lyrics' interpretations can vary depending on individual experiences and perspectives. Still, a common theme is the difficulty in navigating through the complexities of life and how it is easy to become lost in it. It highlights the importance of having support or seeking guidance during such times.
Line by Line Meaning
You're holding on to something
You are unwilling to let go of something important to you.
You're looking to the future
You are hopeful that things will get better in time.
But you see no more
Your hope is fading, and you are losing sight of what you once saw clearly.
You thought you had the answer
You were confident in your beliefs and thought you were right.
You thought you had the secret
You believed you had some hidden knowledge that others were unaware of.
But it's hard to tell
You are beginning to doubt yourself and your beliefs.
In this world around
You are struggling to find your place and meaning in the world.
When you're tumbling down
You are experiencing a difficult time and losing your footing.
The sense is there to blind you
Your logical thinking is hindering you from seeing the truth.
The plan is there to guide you
You have a goal in mind that is supposed to direct you towards success.
With a mighty hand
A greater force is controlling your actions and decisions.
You sink into the future
You are gradually losing hope and becoming pessimistic about what lies ahead.
You're searching for some meaning
You are trying to find purpose and understanding in your life.
But it's hard to tell
Your search is becoming increasingly difficult and confusing.
On and on, it goes on and on
Your struggles and circumstances seem never-ending.
On and on just the same
Your situation remains stagnant and unchanged.
On and on, it goes on and on
Your problems persist, and you can't seem to escape them.
On and on, just like rain
Your troubles are constant and never-ending, much like the rain that falls without ceasing.
If only I could reason
You wish you could think more clearly and logically.
If I could speak to someone
You wish you had someone to confide in and share your struggles with.
Who could understand
You want someone who can relate to and empathize with your situation.
Just holding on to something
You are trying to cling to something stable and meaningful in your life.
And reaching out for someone
You are searching for someone to help and support you.
Who can touch the truth
You desire someone who can provide insight and clarity to the confusing world around you.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CHRISTOPHER PAUL REED, DAVID WOLFENDEN, LEON DAVID PHILLIPS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind