The band's initial line-up consisted of singer/bassist Julian Cope, Mick Finkler on guitar, Gary Dwyer on drums and Paul Simpson on keyboards. They were managed by Bill Drummond and signed to his Zoo label. An early version of the band, which included Ian McCulloch on vocals, was known as A Shallow Madness.
The band released their first single, Sleeping Gas in February of 1979. Soon after, Simpson left the band and was replaced by Zoo label co-owner, David Balfe. Their next single Bouncing Babies inspired a tribute song of its own: I Can't Get Bouncing Babies by the Teardrop Explodes - an ode to the difficulty of obtaining a copy of the song.
Finkler was fired by Cope during the recording of their debut album Kilimanjaro and was replaced by Dalek I Love You guitarist Alan Gill. The LP was a moderate success; it reached number 24 on the British pop charts.
In 1981, the group was at the height of its popularity. In January, they hit # 6 on the British charts with the Reward single and in April they broke the top 20 with Treason. During this period, there were numerous line up changes: Alfie Agius was brought in on bass, Jeff Hammer replaced Balfe on keyboards and Troy Tate replaced Gill on guitar.
Expectations were high for the band's second album, Wilder. The first single Passionate Friend performed reasonably well (#25 UK), but the album itself was unsuccessful, limping to 29 on the charts, disappearing shortly afterwards.
When the band reconvened to record their third album, they were reduced to the trio of Cope, Dwyer and a reinstated Balfe. Tensions were high – Cope wanted to write ballads and quirky pop songs, while Balfe was more interested in recording synth-based dance music. Cope eventually dissolved the band in 1982 in the middle of the sessions. The material was later released in 1990 under the title Everybody Wants to Shag .... The outtakes show a mix of synth/dance pop, dominated by Balfe's keyboards on songs like Count to Ten and Run for Cover and more gentle pop on songs like Soft Enough For You, that prefigure the direction of Cope's early solo career.
Poppies
The Teardrop Explodes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm throwing it over to you
The parachute's in your hands
But don't ask me what to do
But don't ask me what that means
The poppies are in the field
But don't ask me what that means
I wait around
I wait around
I see a change in you
Can you see a change in me
But I can't explain at all
I can't explain what I feel
Comics insult you said
But comics are all I read
Comics insult you said
But comics are all I read
I wait around
I wait around
I wait around
I wait around
Wait around
I see a change in you
Can you see a change in me
But I can't explain at all
I can't explain what I feel
The poppies are in the field
But don't ask me what that means
The poppies are in the field
But don't ask me what that means
I wait around
I wait around
Wait around
The Teardrop Explodes's song, "Poppies", is a poetic exploration of communication breakdown and the difficulties of expressing one's innermost feelings to others. The song's opening lines set the tone for this theme, as the singer (presumably singer Julian Cope) offers a parachute to someone, but admits he doesn't have the answers to the person's problems. He can offer guidance or support, but ultimately it's up to the other person to figure things out for themselves. The repeated reference to poppies in the field serves as a visual metaphor for the confusion and ambiguity of the situation. Poppies have various symbolic meanings, from remembrance to sleep or death, and their presence only serves to add to the sense of uncertainty and unease.
Later in the song, the singer takes a more introspective turn, reflecting on his own emotional state and the difficulty he has in articulating it to others. In the lines "I see a change in you/Can you see a change in me/But I can't explain at all/I can't explain what I feel," he expresses the paradoxical sense of feeling like he is undergoing a transformation or evolution, yet being utterly unable to put that change into words. It's a feeling that many can relate to, as anyone who has experienced a shift in their worldview or inner self can attest to how challenging it can be to put such a profoundly intangible experience into words.
Overall, "Poppies" is a song that taps into the fundamental human struggle to communicate our thoughts and feelings to others, even those we are closest to. Its poetic imagery and introspective lyrics speak to the difficulties of expressing ourselves to others, and the ultimately unknowable nature of our own thoughts and emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
The parachute's in my bag
I have the means to escape or bail out of a situation.
I'm throwing it over to you
I am entrusting you with my escape plan, my fate is in your hands.
The parachute's in your hands
You are now responsible for my well-being and safety.
But don't ask me what to do
I don't have the answers, I can't guide you or advise you on what to do.
The poppies are in the field
The beautiful but deadly flowers are around us and we cannot ignore them.
But don't ask me what that means
I don't understand the significance or implications of the presence of the poppies.
I wait around
I am hesitant and indecisive, I am not taking action.
I see a change in you
I notice that you are behaving differently, you are not the same person I used to know.
Can you see a change in me
Do you perceive me differently now, have I also undergone a transformation?
But I can't explain at all
I can't articulate or comprehend the changes that have occurred.
I can't explain what I feel
I am unable to express or comprehend my own emotions and thoughts.
Comics insult you said
You belittle me because of my interest in comics, you think it's childish or trivial.
But comics are all I read
Despite your criticism, I find solace and joy in reading comics.
Wait around
I am still procrastinating and not taking action.
The poppies are in the field
Again, the presence of the dangerous flowers is emphasized.
But don't ask me what that means
I am still clueless and ignorant of the significance of the poppies.
Contributed by Wyatt Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.