Ambition was never the Pastels' strong suit, and luck was rarely on their side; as the group's members -- now including bassist Martin Hayward and drummer Bernice Simpson -- devoted their primary focus to their studies, new music appeared only sporadically and to little notice, on a seemingly random series of labels. After 1983's "I Wonder Why" was released on Rough Trade, they moved to Creation, where they hit their stride with the 1984 drone-pop gems "Something's Going On" and "A Million Tears." After one further single, 1985's "I'm Alright with You," the Pastels split with Creation, moving to the tiny Glass label. In 1986, their track "Breaking Lines" appeared on the influential C-86 collection assembled by the New Music Express, transforming the anorak movement into an overnight media sensation quickly accompanied by intense critical backlash.
Regardless of prevailing musical trends, however, the Pastels soldiered on: after recruiting one-time Shop Assistants keyboardist Aggi Wright, they recorded the 1986 single "Truck Train Tractor," followed by Crawl Babies and Comin' Through. Finally, in 1987 the group found time to assemble an LP, Up for a Bit with the Pastels, followed in 1988 by Suck on the Pastels, a collection of unreleased Creation-era material. In 1989, former Vaselines frontman Eugene Kelly and ex-Shop Assistant David Keegan joined the fold for Sittin' Pretty, the final LP to include Superstar, Hayward, and Simpson. The remaining duo of Pastel and Wright expanded to include Katrina Mitchell for the 1991 collaboration Jad Fair and the Pastels, followed by the 1994 EP Olympic World of Pastelism. Their third album, Mobile Safari, was released in 1995 by Domino in the U.K. (which began a long-running alliance) and Up Records in the U.S. It featured a lineup including longtime band associates Norman Blake and Gerald Love (both from Teenage Fanclub) and ex-Shop Assistant guitarist David Keegan, and a guest appearance from Luna's Dean Wareham.
Their next album, 1997's Illumination, was issued by the same configuration of record labels and featured a similar lineup, only with the addition of guitarist Jonathan Kilgour and guest shots from Belle & Sebastian's Isobel Campbell and pianist Bill Wells. A remix album, Illuminati, was released in 1998 and featured reworks of tracks by Kevin Shields, Stereolab, Cornelius, and other A-list indie rockers. This burst of recognition and activity was derailed when Wright decided to leave the band in 1998, throwing Mitchell and Pastel into a spin. Instead of jumping back into making music right away, the band went on hiatus while figuring things out. The duo next formed Geographic Records in 2000 as an offshoot of Domino, and began releasing records by friends (Future Pilot AKA, International Airport) and obscure acts (Nagisa Ni Te, Maher Shalal Hash Baz.) The band reappeared at last in 2003 with the mostly instrumental soundtrack for the film The Last Great Wilderness. The album was produced by the Sea and Cake's John McEntire and featured International Airport's Tom Crossley along with a vocal feature for Jarvis Cocker. A friendship with Japanese band Tenniscoats led to their next release, 2009's collaborative effort Two Sunsets. The core band was expanded to include Crossley and Mitchell's sister Alison, with Love still there, too. With the record label slowing its pace and releasing one album a year, the band turned toward recording an album of their own, and in 2013 their fifth record, Slow Summits, was released. McEntire was again in the producer's chair and guitarist John Hogarty had joined the ranks. Also on board as guests were To Rococo Rot's Stefan Schneider and Robert Lippok, as well as Norman Blake (again), and original bandmember Annabel Wright. (c)Jason Ankeny
2) An American 50s pop group formed by Dee Irwin while he was serving in the military. Consisted of DiFosco "Dee" T. Ervin Jr. himself, Richard Travis, Tony Thomas and Jimmy Willingham. They toured widely until splitting up in 1959.
Speeding Motorcycle 2
The Pastels Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Won't you change me
Speeding motorcycle
Won't you change me
In a world of funny changes
Speeding motorcycle
Won't you change me
Of my heart
Speeding motorcycle
Always changing me
Speeding motorcycle
Don't you drive recklessly
Speeding motorcycle
Of my heart
Pretty girls have taken you out for a ride
Hurt you deep inside but you never slowed down
Speeding motorcycle
In my heart
Speeding motorcycle
Lets be smart
'Cause we don't want a wreck
We can do a lot of tricks
We don't have to break our legs
Just to get our kicks
Speeding motorcycle
This road is ours
Speeding motorcycle
Lets speed some more
We don't need reason and we don't need logic
As we got feelin' and were damn proud of it
Speeding motorcycle
There's nothing you can do
Speeding motorcycle
I love you
Speeding motorcycle
Lets just go
Speeding motorcycle
Lets go, lets go
The song Speeding Motorcycle by The Pastels is a simple yet powerful expression of the intense desire for change and adventure. The singer calls out to the speeding motorcycle to change them, as they long for a world of funny changes. The motorcycle is seen as a symbol of freedom, and the singer hopes that it can change their life and take them on a journey of excitement and self-discovery. The song is an ode to living life on the edge and embracing the unknown, but it also carries a warning to be smart and avoid unnecessary risks.
The lyrics also touch on the theme of heartbreak, as the singer acknowledges that pretty girls have taken the motorcycle out for a ride and hurt it deep inside. Despite this, the motorcycle never slowed down, and the singer admires its resilience and determination. The motorcycle is not just a machine, but a representation of the human spirit, with the power to inspire and transform.
Line by Line Meaning
Speeding motorcycle
As an impulsive and reckless individual who seeks excitement, the singer finds solace in his motorcycle.
Won't you change me
The singer is hoping that the motorcycle will help him change and find direction in a world full of unpredictable and confusing changes.
In a world of funny changes
The singer finds the world to be unpredictable and strange, with constant changes happening around him that he doesn't understand.
Of my heart
The motorcycle is an integral part of the artist's life and he sees it as an extension of his own heart.
Always changing me
Despite the artist being hesitant to change, the motorcycle has a profound effect on his life and makes him embrace new experiences.
Don't you drive recklessly
The singer recognizes the danger and risk involved in the recklessness of his behavior and implores the motorcycle to be mindful of his safety.
Pretty girls have taken you out for a ride
The singer is aware of the fact that others have tried to use the motorcycle for their own enjoyment without truly understanding its significance and importance in his life.
Hurt you deep inside but you never slowed down
Despite the motorcycle being mistreated by others, the artist remains loyal and refuses to let anyone take away the joy and excitement he feels while riding it.
Lets be smart
The artist acknowledges the importance of being responsible and smart while riding the motorcycle in order to avoid accidents and injuries.
We can do a lot of tricks
The artist enjoys performing thrilling and dangerous stunts on the motorcycle, but recognizes the need to balance this with being smart and safe.
This road is ours
The singer sees the journey that he takes with the motorcycle as his own personal journey, not influenced or dictated by anyone else.
We don't need reason and we don't need logic
The artist believes that there is no need for rationale or logic when it comes to feeling alive and enjoying life to the fullest, as long as it is done safely and responsibly.
There's nothing you can do
The singer is aware that others may judge him for his actions or criticize his choice of lifestyle, but he refuses to change and is confident in his love for the motorcycle.
I love you
The singer expresses his deep love and affinity for the motorcycle, recognizing it as a vital part of his life and identity.
Lets just go
The singer is eager to continue his journey with the motorcycle, embracing the thrill and excitement of the ride ahead.
Lets go, lets go
The artist implores the motorcycle to continue moving forward, to never stop and to always seek out new adventures.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: DANIEL JOHNSTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind