In Dickinson, the band possessed a songwriter and lyricist of rare talent with scalpel-sharp statements emanating from gorgeously epic songs such as their breakthrough, the feedback-soaked "Black Metallic" ("…it's "Like a Hurricane" for the ‘90’s," drooled the NME). This song in particular heralded Dickinson’s ability to skillfully knit together romance, wit – and power! - in the music. Through constant evolution and a steadfast refusal to repeat themselves, Catherine Wheel grew into a swaggeringly assured, devastatingly effective, scene-setter of a band.
Criminally overlooked, (Rolling Stone famously sub-editing the review of the band's 1997 masterwork, Adam and Eve, down from 4-1/2 stars to 3-1/2), never was a band so influential and yet so invisible. Catherine Wheel quietly unleashed six brilliant albums, all an artistic development of the last, and all reflecting a musical force that could crush any band that dared share a stage - ask Radiohead or The Smashing Pumpkins about that.
And then the band vanished. No word, no explanation, no fanfare, no farewell, no best wishes, no 'best of'. "People were no longer paying attention. Going out with a bang seemed a little inappropriate," says Dickinson dryly. "I'm not bitter about the band's modest success. I view that time as an apprenticeship. It was a time when I was free to experiment and was encouraged to be 'an artist'. I consider myself lucky to have been blessed with such an opportunity."
What’s been going on with Dickinson since the Catherine Wheel was “parked”? What he has very definitely been doing is writing fantastic songs. And so begins Part I of the Resurrection. Whatever merit his past with the band may confer on him, Dickinson's inevitable stardom would appear to be as a solo artist with this breathtaking collection of music on his debut album, Fresh Wine For The Horses.
From a conversation with Venus on "My Name Is Love" to the whimsical heartbreak of "Oceans" ("As far as I can tell, you already bare the scars of love") to the emotional highs of "Towering and Flowering", Dickinson's Fresh Wine for The Horses bristles with romance but still keeps its manly charm. Says Dickinson, “This record is about recognizing and accepting the sometimes ugly truth. It's about love, devotion and enlightenment.”
Dickinson’s Resurrection Part II came after the unfortunate dissolution of the record company that first released this stunning album. Handpicked by legendary producer Bob Ezrin of Pink Floyd, Kiss, Lou Reed (and Catherine Wheel!) fame, Fresh Wine For The Horses was presented to Universal Records on a silver platter, and the second chance given to the album begins a new chapter for the audacious performer.
Part III of the Resurrection brings Rob’s magnificent new addition to the album, the song “The End of the World”. It lifts shamelessly from the soundtrack to the British cult movie Withnail & I and creates its own death-defying, all-or-nothing beauty in a song about last chances.
And out of the ashes comes Nude, the other half of Rob’s spectacular 2-CD set. At the personal request of the head of the record label, Rob has revisited six choice Catherine Wheel classics and put a new twist on these old favourites. It is easy to tell that the songs have held the test of time and that the stripped-down melodies still ring true over 15 years later. “Re-recording these songs is like reuniting with old friends,” says Dickinson. “I hope that new listeners will fall in love with them and that those familiar with Catherine Wheel will find their passion for the tunes reignited.”
Third time’s the charm.
Crank
Rob Dickinson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Running circles round my brain when I'm left smiling
I love to steal this living steam
My head in someone's dream
I'm tired of sleeping
Call me crank, my idea
Crank, my conscience clear
I build my canopy of steel
It fulfills my sense of real
A chrome protection
Call me crank, my idea
Crank, so super
Crank, my conscience clear
It's clear
In this small partition, like a prison
Explode time bomb
If you know where I come from
You call me crank, my idea
Crank, so super
Crank, my conscience clear
Please call me crank, it's what I need
Crank, my mind in seed
Crank, my dream complete
Lay down, lay down, lay down
The song Crank by Rob Dickinson speaks to the idea of being different and misunderstood by society. The lyrics are reflective of someone who finds solace in their own ideas or beliefs, even if they are not commonly accepted. The lyrics "love my superstitious games, running circles around my brain when I'm left smiling" suggest that this individual enjoys their own unique way of thinking and that it brings them joy, regardless of whether or not others understand it. The lyrics "my head in someone's dream, I'm tired of sleeping" further emphasize the idea that the person is looking for something more than what is common or expected. They want to dream bigger and have their ideas realized.
The term "crank" is used throughout the song, which could suggest that the person is seen as eccentric or strange by others. However, the chorus of the song seems to be pushing back against this judgment. The repetition of "call me crank" seems to be an empowering statement, as if the person is taking ownership of their uniqueness and saying that being a "crank" is not a negative thing. The lyrics "my conscience clear, it's clear" suggest that this person is confident in their own beliefs and is not swayed by the judgments of others.
The lyrics "in this small partition, like a prison, explode time bomb" add a darker element to the song. It could be interpreted as the person feeling trapped or confined by society's expectations and feeling like they are on the verge of exploding out of that confinement. Overall, the song seems to be a message of empowerment for those who feel different or outside of the mainstream.
Line by Line Meaning
Love my superstitious games
I enjoy playing games that are based on superstitions
Running circles round my brain when I'm left smiling
These games make me happy, and I can't stop thinking about them
I love to steal this living steam
I enjoy taking advantage of people's energy and enthusiasm for life
My head in someone's dream
I often get lost in other people's fantasies or ideas
I'm tired of sleeping
I'm tired of not taking action and simply dreaming about things
Call me crank, my idea
I have an unconventional idea, and I don't mind being called a crank for it
Crank, so super
I think my idea is really great, even if others find it strange
Crank, my conscience clear
I feel good about my idea and believe it's the right thing to do
I build my canopy of steel
I am building up a strong and sturdy defense for myself
It fulfills my sense of real
This defense makes me feel secure and real, unlike my previous dreams
A chrome protection
This defense is like a shiny and impenetrable armor
In this small partition, like a prison
The safety of my defense is also a kind of confinement, limiting me in some ways
Explode time bomb
I feel like there is a ticking time bomb inside of me that's waiting to go off
If you know where I come from
If you understand me deeply, you'll know why I feel this way
Please call me crank, it's what I need
I want to be acknowledged for my unconventional ideas, even if it means being called a crank
Crank, my mind in seed
My mind is full of creative and innovative ideas, waiting to be nurtured
Crank, my dream complete
My unconventional idea is the missing piece that will finally make my life feel complete
Lay down, lay down, lay down
This could mean a desire to rest, give in, or go to sleep
Contributed by Evelyn R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.