The Teardrop Explodes was a British Post-punk/Neo-Psychedelic band formed i… Read Full Bio ↴The Teardrop Explodes was a British Post-punk/Neo-Psychedelic band formed in Liverpool in 1978. The band was formed by Julian Cope who had previously been in the short-lived yet locally-renowned band Crucial Three along with Pete Wylie (who went on to form Wah!) and Ian McCulloch later of Echo and the Bunnymen.

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.

Tiny Children
The Teardrop Explodes Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Half the time
As I sit in disarray
I am thinking of a dream I never had
Then I awake and for a while
I call your name in Colin's house
But tiny children have a way of falling down

Oh I could make a meal

Of that wonderful dispair I feel
But waking up I turn and face the wall

The car arrives
And takes me back again
Drifting through imaginary blaze
And fighting men, a border raft
A sailing ship has run aground
And confidence is valued in these days

But each character
Is plundering my home
And taking everything that is my own

Oh no, I'm not sure about
Those things that I cared about
Oh no, I'm not sure
Not anymore
Oh no, I'm not sure about
Those things that I cared about

Oh no, I'm not sure
Not anymore

Overall Meaning

The Teardrop Explodes's song Tiny Children is a dreamy and introspective song that deals with the theme of uncertainty and loss of control. The lyrics seem to describe a dreaming state, as the singer sits in disarray, thinking of a dream that he never had. When he awakens, he calls a name in Colin's house but realizes that tiny children have a way of falling down, which could be interpreted as a metaphor for the fragility of life and how things can go wrong unexpectedly.

The singer then goes into describing the feelings of despair and uncertainty that he experiences as he wakes up, turns and faces the wall. As the car arrives to take him back, he drifts through an imaginary blaze, fighting men, and various obstacles that seem to represent the challenges of life. He realizes that each character is plundering his home, taking everything that is his own, which could be interpreted as a metaphor for the loss of control over one's life and possessions.

The chorus repeats the lines "Oh no, I'm not sure about those things that I cared about. Oh no, I'm not sure, not anymore." This highlights the theme of uncertainty and a sense of detachment from the things that once mattered. Overall, the song seems to be about the fragility of life and the challenges of navigating through uncertainty and change.

Line by Line Meaning

Half the time
Frequently, when I am lost in chaos and confusion

As I sit in disarray
While I am sitting in a state of disorder and confusion

I am thinking of a dream I never had
I am pondering about a non-existent dream

Then I awake and for a while
Afterwards, I awaken and briefly

I call your name in Colin's house
I shout your name while staying in Colin's house

But tiny children have a way of falling down
However, young children can be clumsy and easily trip over

Oh I could make a meal
Oh, I can satisfy myself with

Of that wonderful dispair I feel
The delightful sadness that I experience

But waking up I turn and face the wall
Nevertheless, when I wake up, I turn and confront the wall

The car arrives
The vehicle pulls up

And takes me back again
And transports me back to where I started