The follow up single "Big Sister" was released at the beginning of 1983 and although it was far better than the debut it somehow failed to trouble the charts, and nor did single number three, a terrific novelty rocker called "Robot Man". In April 1983 they expanded to a four piece with the addition of keyboardist Kathy Barnes and released 'Rocking With The Renees'. This fine platter had them transcending their influences (Ramones, X-Ray Spex, glam rock and 60's pop) and producing great music. The addition of Barnes fleshed out their songs and made them poppier. Girls can do it pretty good, they sang, and this funny, catchy and highly confident record was the proof, with utterly unpretentious songs about plastic surgery, alcohol, pie and mash, and boys. Another indie hit, this was released in the US as 'Drink Problem'.
Two further John Peel sessions followed, but after that things went very quiet indeed. Karen Yarnell left to join Serious Drinking, and Paul was forced to recruit an entirely new line up. When a new single, "Evil Eye", crept out in 1985, it wasn't a good finale. The band sounded too serious by half.
LINEUP (1981-1983)
Vocals, guitar: Paula Richards (pre-The Deltones / Potato 5 / The Renees)
Bass, vocals: Suzanne Scott
Drums, vocals: Karen Yarnell (pre-Serious Drinking / The Blubbery Hellbellies / The Renees)
There was also a fourth member right at the start, but no one in the band can remembers her name! The song "Miss Nunsweeta" was about her, though. This is the 'classic' lineup which recorded everything up to and including the debut LP.
LINEUP (1983-1984)
Vocals, guitar: Paula Richards
Bass, vocals: Suzanne Scott
Drums, vocals: Karen Yarnell
Keyboards: Kathy Barnes
LINEUP (1984-1985)
Vocals, guitar: Paula Richards
Bass, vocals: Karen Kay
Keyboards: Sue Vickers
Drums, vocals: Michelle Chowrimootoo
Drums: Jan Frazer
This lineup recorded the Evil Eye 12". Yarnell later rejoined singer Paula Richards in The Renees, releasing an album in 1990. Kay later joined Daughters of Gaia and Webcore, but is now editor-in-chief of FAE Magazine (Faeries and Enchantment), and also (and I quote) "founder of the 3 Wishes Faery Fest, the UK’s first faerie festival with overnight camping and live music stages and entertainment, a magical wonderland of enchantment!
Thinking Of You
The Gymslips Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Or we'll slowly drift away
In my mind I've got no dice, but what game are you trying to play?
I'll wait for you to ring me
And do you act so cool
I wish you knew how much I thought of you
Don't want you to go away
Wanna stay in your arms forever
And I'm thinking of you each day
I'm trying not to show it
It's the hardest thing to do
I wish you knew how much I thought of you
I wait for you to ring me
And do you act so cool
I wish you knew how much I thought of you
And one day you might go away, and we may never meet again
And I always sit and pray that if we did we could still be friends
I'm trying not to show it
It's the hardest thing to do
I wish you knew how much I thought of you
Thinking of you
Thinking of you
Thinking of you
Thinking of you
Thinking of you
Thinking of you
The lyrics of The Gymslips's song Thinking of You describe the thoughts and feelings of someone who is deeply infatuated with someone else. The person is unsure whether their feelings are reciprocated and worries that they may gradually drift apart. They long to be with the other person and feel the warmth of their embrace. Despite their intense emotions, they attempt to remain composed and not reveal their true feelings, hoping that one day they can still be friends even if things don't work out romantically. The repetition of "Thinking of you" throughout the song emphasizes the prominence of this person in the singer's thoughts and suggests an obsessive quality to their feelings.
Overall, the lyrics capture the vulnerability that comes with being deeply infatuated with someone, unsure if they feel the same and worried about losing their affection. The song expresses the longing to be with that person and the pain of holding back one's emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you think that it will work?
Questioning the possibility of the relationship working out
Or we'll slowly drift away
Wondering if the relationship will fade away over time
In my mind I've got no dice, but what game are you trying to play?
Acknowledging that the odds are against the relationship, but questioning the other person's intentions
I'll wait for you to ring me
Anticipating the other person's communication
And do you act so cool
Observing the other person's behavior
I wish you knew how much I thought of you
Desiring for the other person to understand the depth of their feelings
When we're finally alone together
Anticipating a future intimate moment
Don't want you to go away
Desiring for the moment to last
Wanna stay in your arms forever
Longing for a lasting relationship
And I'm thinking of you each day
Constantly having the other person on their mind
I'm trying not to show it
Attempting to hide their emotions
It's the hardest thing to do
Feeling the difficulty of suppressing their emotions
And one day you might go away, and we may never meet again
Facing the possibility of a future separation
And I always sit and pray that if we did we could still be friends
Hoping that the relationship could continue in another way, even if romantic feelings fade
Thinking of you
Repeating the central theme of the song
Thinking of you
Repeating the central theme of the song
Thinking of you
Repeating the central theme of the song
Thinking of you
Repeating the central theme of the song
Thinking of you
Repeating the central theme of the song
Thinking of you
Repeating the central theme of the song
Contributed by Emma L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.