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.
Treason
The Teardrop Explodes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I could swing for you
I can see the veins in my hands
Are showing through
But if you disguise
What these things are doing to me
If you criticize them
Until you realize
It's just a story
Until you realize
It's just a story
Consequently my reaction
Is getting rather strange
I can see your course of action
Leading to a change
You've got to get ready for me
Is it real
Or is it treason
Is it treason
I've been living through changes
It's not the same thing every day
I hope it's not my age
But I wouldn't like to say
Mirror hopping days are a coarse reaction
Oh it's very hard to fight
I tried to find a plan of action
But I couldn't get it right
Until you realize
It's just a story
Until you realize
It's just a story
Until you realize
It's just a story
Until you realize
It's just a story
The Teardrop Explodes's song "Treason" speaks about the difficulties of dealing with changes in one's life. The opening lines "I've been living through changes, and I could swing for you" suggest that the singer is struggling to adapt to the changes that are happening around them. The use of the phrase "swing for you" can be interpreted as wanting to hurt someone because of the discomfort they're going through. The following lines "I can see the veins in my hands are showing through" suggest that the singer feels exposed and vulnerable.
The next verse continues to explore the singer's struggle with change. They state that if someone were to criticize the changes they're going through, they would know that person sees what they're going through. This implies that others are not understanding the singer's struggle, adding to their feeling of isolation. The chorus "until you realize it's just a story" is a reminder that everything they're going through is temporary and not something that will last forever.
The remaining verses continue to explore the difficulties of adapting to change. The line "mirror hopping days are a coarse reaction" suggests that the singer is struggling with their self-image and perhaps experiencing feelings of self-doubt. The final line "but I couldn't get it right" might suggest that the singer is struggling to find a solution to their problems.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been living through changes
I have been experiencing a lot of changes in my life lately
And I could swing for you
I feel angry and frustrated with you
I can see the veins in my hands
I am becoming more aware of my physical body and how it is changing
Are showing through
My hands are clearly visible and my veins are more noticeable
But if you disguise
If you try to hide or cover up
What these things are doing to me
The effects that these changes are having on me
If you criticize them
If you say negative things about them
I'll know that you can see
I will understand that you are aware of what is going on with me
Until you realize
Until you understand and accept
It's just a story
That my experiences and reactions are just a narrative and not something to be overly concerned about
Consequently my reaction
As a result of this situation
Is getting rather strange
My behavior is becoming unusual or unexpected
I can see your course of action
I understand what you are planning to do
Leading to a change
Which will cause something to be different
You've got to get ready for me
You need to prepare yourself for my response
Is it real
Is this situation genuine and authentic
Or is it treason
Or is someone being disloyal or betraying someone else
I've been living through changes
I am going through a period of transformation and evolution
It's not the same thing every day
Each day brings something new or different
I hope it's not my age
I am worried that my aging body is causing these changes
But I wouldn't like to say
But I am not sure and cannot confirm
Mirror hopping days are a coarse reaction
Looking at myself in the mirror and trying to cope with these changes is a difficult and unpleasant experience
Oh it's very hard to fight
It is a challenging struggle to deal with these changes
I tried to find a plan of action
I attempted to come up with a strategy or approach
But I couldn't get it right
But I was unsuccessful in figuring it out
Until you realize
Until you understand and accept
It's just a story
That everything that is happening is not as significant or serious as it may seem
Until you realize
Until you understand and accept
It's just a story
That everything that is happening is not as significant or serious as it may seem
Until you realize
Until you understand and accept
It's just a story
That everything that is happening is not as significant or serious as it may seem
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GARY ANDREW DWYER, NEIL FINKLER MICHAEL, JULIAN DAVID COPE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Geoffrey Jonathan Wilson
Julian must have been a hero for many teenage girls and boys in the UK at the time.Brilliant frontman in my opinion.
simon e
Those guys could really play. Brilliant live.
Geoffrey Jonathan Wilson
One of Liverpool's greatest bands in my opinion.
Neil Hilton
One of many great Liverpool groups. Boss place for music 👍👌😃
Arlene Taylor
What is this song about?
Superabbit
@Arlene Taylor There's some LSD imagery, the "I can see the veins in my hands showing through" is a common lysergic hallucination. I can only offer my own take on it. "It's just a story" is a reference to the human perception of linear time and memory. We think back to 5 minutes ago, but 5 minutes ago doesn't actually exist. What we think we experienced and how we interpret it is "just a story" we're telling ourselves
Andy Cuthbert
Absolutely perfect.Blasting it in 2022 in a Tesco car park-getting stared at like I’m an alien!
speak freeley
This & 'Reward' were the two greatest songs from the "Teardrops". Sadly plagued by non-stop infighting from forming to it's demise.
Catherine
Have to agree what great songs
Geoffrey Jonathan Wilson
Julian was a brilliant frontman of the band!!!