Formed around the partnership of Lowe with Edmunds, the two musicians inspired by melodic 50s and 60s rock n roll, the band took its name from the title of a 1972 album by Edmunds. Rockpile was primarily known as a backup group to those two artists' solo projects. However, the band did release one official album, titled 'Seconds of Pleasure' in 1980, which spawned the minor hit "Teacher Teacher" while also receiving strong critical praise. In August of that year, the guys played the noted Heatwave festival near Toronto, and the group additionally made their only American television appearance on the ABC variety program 'Fridays'. The band broke up in 1981.
Crawling From The Wreckage
Rockpile Lyrics
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Driving like a nut in the rain
Don't think I was acting so hysterically
But I didn't see a thing until it came
Man, the drunks were verbal in the takeaway
Beating up the Chinese at the counter
I put a few inside me
I took out my revenge
On the revolution counter
Crawling from the wreckage
Crawling from the wreckage
You'd think by now at least that
Half my brain would get the message
Crawling from the wreckage
Crawling from the wreckage
Into a brand new car
In walks bud with his exploding nose
He'd been giving it maximum today
He shouted how the devil
You in trouble I suppose
But all you ever do is run away
Turned up the motor into hyper-drive
I wasn't gonna take any of that
Don't get bright ideas about a suicide
'Cause all I ever hear
Is zoom wam bam past me
Crawling from the wreckage
Crawling from the wreckage
You'd think by now at least that
Half my brain would get the message
Crawling from the wreckage
Crawling from the wreckage
Into a brand new car
Crawling, crawling, crawling from the wreckage
Crawling, crawling, crawling from the wreckage
Crawling, crawling, crawling from the wreckage
Crawling from the wreckage
Crawling from the wreckage
Bits of me are scattered
In the trees and in the hedges
Crawling from the wreckage
Crawling from the wreckage
Into a brand new car
Nothing seem to happen that ain't happened before
I see it all through flashes of depression
I dry up my drink and hear
People running for the door
God, I make some kind of impression
'Cause when I'm disconnected from the driving wheel
I'm only half the man I should be
But metal hitting metal isn't all I feel
And everything is good as
It possible could be
Crawling from the wreckage
Crawling from the wreckage
You'd think by now at least that
Half my brain would get the message
Crawling from the wreckage
Crawling from the wreckage
Into a brand new car
Crawling from the wreckage
Crawling from the wreckage
Bits of me are scattered
In the trees and in the hedges
Crawling from the wreckage
Crawling from the wreckage
Into a brand new car
Crawling from the wreckage
Crawling from the wreckage
Crawling, crawling
Crawling from the wreckage
The lyrics of the Rockpile song, "Crawling From The Wreckage," speak about the singer's experience of getting out of work early from the factory and driving in a hasty state on a rainy day. He soon finds himself in the middle of a verbal fight at a takeaway joint where some drunk men are assaulting a Chinese man. The singer puts a few drinks inside himself and takes his anger and annoyance out by beating up the revolution counter. The song enfolds with the singer in a brand new car after crawling his way out of the wreckage.
The lyrics mostly signify the singer's struggles and the disturbing situations he finds himself in but also powerfully illustrate the idea of coming to terms with one's inner demons and flaws. The phrases "Crawling from the wreckage" indicate that the singer may have just barely escaped death, but he can't seem to learn from his mistakes since the 'half my brain would get the message' line suggests that he hasn't fully grasped the idea of self-preservation.
Moreover, the song is a reflection of life's unpredictability and how humans need to learn from their mistakes there and then instead of repeating them again and again. It's a bold and honest song about life and how individuals should take responsibility for their actions.
Line by Line Meaning
Got out really early from the factory
I left work early in the morning
Driving like a nut in the rain
I was driving recklessly in the rain
Don't think I was acting so hysterically
I didn't think I was overreacting
But I didn't see a thing until it came
But I didn't see anything until it was too late
Man, the drunks were verbal in the takeaway
The drunk people in the restaurant were being loud and obnoxious
Beating up the Chinese at the counter
They were physically assaulting the Chinese people who worked there
I put a few inside me
I drank some alcohol
At the end of the day
By the end of the day
I took out my revenge
I sought my revenge
On the revolution counter
On the machine used for counting revolutions
Crawling from the wreckage
Emerging from a situation of destruction
You'd think by now at least that
You might expect by now that
Half my brain would get the message
I would have learned my lesson
Into a brand new car
Getting into a new vehicle
In walks bud with his exploding nose
Bud with a bleeding nose walks in
He'd been giving it maximum today
He had been putting in a lot of effort today
He shouted how the devil
He yelled out in surprise
You in trouble I suppose
You must be in trouble, I assume
But all you ever do is run away
But all you ever do is avoid your problems
Turned up the motor into hyper-drive
I accelerated rapidly
I wasn't gonna take any of that
I didn't want to deal with that
Don't get bright ideas about a suicide
Don't get any ideas about killing yourself
'Cause all I ever hear
Because all I ever hear
Is zoom wam bam past me
Cars are speeding past me
Bits of me are scattered
Parts of me are spread out
In the trees and in the hedges
In the trees and bushes
Nothing seem to happen that ain't happened before
Nothing new seems to happen
I see it all through flashes of depression
I only see it when I am feeling down
I dry up my drink and hear
I finish my drink and then hear
People running for the door
People are running towards the exit
God, I make some kind of impression
I make an impact in some way
'Cause when I'm disconnected from the driving wheel
Because when I am not in control
I'm only half the man I should be
I am not living up to my full potential
But metal hitting metal isn't all I feel
But the sound of metal hitting metal is not the only sensation I experience
And everything is good as
And everything is as good as
It possible could be
It possibly could be
Crawling, crawling, crawling from the wreckage
Slowly emerging from a situation of destruction
Contributed by Camden H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@marklee1965
December 1984. I had a bad motorcycle accident. Hospital radio came around the wards asking for requests. Chap opposite me asked for Band Aid, Do They Know It's Christmas. Me, 24 year old with a warped sense of humour asked for "Crawling From The Wreckage." This is for you Gina, I've missed you ever since. Love you always.
@neilmeadows8641
Edmunds' Rockpile were a truly rocking band live. Deserving of a far bigger reputation.
@johnlane2010
Another perfect delivery of a perfect song. These guys have an uncanny ability to do this over and over again.
@rayyoung6594
Billy Bremner (sp) was on rhythm and he was a monster. Saw these guys in Hollywood in 70’s and it was just a wall of guitar rock n roll.
@kayciecarryl3366
Dave is SO CUTE! ❤👧
@dw1984dw
"Picture Quality not so good."
Maybe. But I'm just glad the video still exists. A truly great band and I'm always happy when I find anything from Rockpile on Youtube, be it promo videos or live performances.
@garysoucy7758
These guys kick ass in a major way. Rockabilly punk from the U.K.!
@rickdagger2209
I love Dave Edmunds. The man can do no wrong.
@garydiggins1836
That was great! One of the best road songs ever. Best played at full blast while doing 100.
@scottwalker2043
Great stuff. Love this guy's music. Real Rock n Roll! ❤️🎶🎵❤️