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.
Use Me
The Teardrop Explodes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This time can see defeat,
Hey, hey, what's that sound?
It's time to cut me down,
To use me,
Use me,
Use me,
Use me.
Heads around the marble throne,
Heads around the marble throne,
Heads around the marble throne,
Me...I die in flames,
Me...I die in flames,
Use me,
Use me,
Yeahhhohhh,
Use meeeee,
Use me.
Came from the sky,
Came from the sky
Came from the sky,
Came from the sky,
Came from the sky,
Waiting clouds go by,
Came from the sky,
Waiting clouds go by,
Came from the sky,
Waiting clouds go by,
Came from the skyyyy,
Use me,
Use meeeeee,
Use meeeeeeeeeee,
Ah, Use me,
Oh, Use me
Eh, eh eh,
Gotta blade for you,
I Gotta blade for you,
What went wrong?,
I Gotta blade for you,
What went wrong?,
I Gotta blade for you,
What went wrong?
Gotta blade for you
Gotta blade for you,
Gotta blade for you,
What went wrong?
Mhmmm,
What went wrong?
Oh oh oh,
Gotta blade for you...
Gotta blade for you!
Wahhohhhwahhohhahhhh,
Gotta blade for youu,
Gotta blade for you
I Gotta blade for you
Gotta blade for you
You..woawoawoawahwahwahwoawao
Wah wah wah,
Ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ahhhhhhhhh...
The lyrics of "Use Me" by The Teardrop Explodes evoke a dark and mysterious atmosphere that's open for interpretation. From the outset, the song seems to talk about the inevitability of defeat – "This time we go see/ This time can see defeat" – and the fact that the singer needs to be "cut down" or "used." The repetition of the words "Use me" suggests that the singer knows that their fate is sealed, and they're willing to be used for the greater good.
The second half of the song introduces an allusion to some kind of a mythical kingdom – "Heads around the marble throne" – where the singer dies in flames. The lines "Came from the sky/ Waiting clouds go by" further add to the imagery of a dreamlike, supernatural atmosphere. The song ends on an ambiguous note, with the singer's offer to "Gotta blade for you" and the question "What went wrong?"
As always, lyrics can be interpreted in various ways. The song could be seen as a metaphor for a person's struggle against their own limitations or as a reflection on the theme of power and hierarchy. In any case, the lyrics of "Use Me" are fascinating and leave much room for imagination.
Line by Line Meaning
This time we go see,
We're going to attempt something new this time.
This time can see defeat,
We're aware that failure is a possibility.
Hey, hey, what's that sound?
An alarm or warning has been triggered.
It's time to cut me down,
It's time to overcome or remove me from the equation.
To use me,
To take advantage of me.
Use me,
Use me.
Heads around the marble throne,
People are gathered around an important symbol of power and authority.
Me...I die in flames,
I'm experiencing a painful and dramatic end.
Use me,
Use me.
Yeahhhohhh,
I'm expressing a feeling of intense emotion.
Use meeeee,
Use me.
Came from the sky,
Something appeared suddenly and unexpectedly.
Waiting clouds go by,
We're watching as clouds pass by in the sky.
Use me,
Use me.
Use meeeeee,
Use me.
Ah, Use me,
Use me.
Oh, Use me
Use me.
Eh, eh eh,
I'm making a non-committal or dismissive noise.
Gotta blade for you,
I have a weapon to offer you.
What went wrong?,
What did we do to cause this negative outcome?
Gotta blade for you,
I have a weapon to offer you.
What went wrong?,
What did we do to cause this negative outcome?
Gotta blade for you,
I have a weapon to offer you.
What went wrong?
What did we do to cause this negative outcome?
Gotta blade for you
I have a weapon to offer you.
Gotta blade for you,
I have a weapon to offer you.
Gotta blade for you,
I have a weapon to offer you.
What went wrong?
What did we do to cause this negative outcome?
Mhmmm,
I'm making a sound of agreement or acknowledgement.
What went wrong?
What did we do to cause this negative outcome?
Oh oh oh,
I'm expressing a feeling of excitement or anticipation.
Gotta blade for you...
I have a weapon to offer you.
Wahhohhhwahhohhahhhh,
I'm vocalizing a sound of pain, struggle, or frustration.
Gotta blade for youu,
I have a weapon to offer you.
Gotta blade for you,
I have a weapon to offer you.
I Gotta blade for you,
I have a weapon to offer you.
Gotta blade for you,
I have a weapon to offer you.
You..woawoawoawahwahwahwoawao
I'm making a nonsensical noise or possibly calling out to someone.
Wah wah wah,
I'm making a sound of frustration or disappointment.
Ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ahhhhhhhhh...
I'm vocalizing a sound of pain, struggle, or anguish.
Contributed by Sophia O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.