The Vibrators recorded sessions at for John Peel at BBC Radio 1 in October 1976, June 1977, and February 1978. They were one of the pioneering punk bands that played at London's Roxy Club. They headlined in January 1977, supported by The Drones, and in February they played twice at the venue. In March 1977 the band supported Iggy Pop on his British tour. Later that year they backed ex-Mott the Hoople frontman Ian Hunter.
The band signed to Epic Records in early 1977. Their debut album, Pure Mania was co-produced with Robin Mayhew, the sound engineer for David Bowie's Ziggy Stardust live shows, and reached the Top 50 of the UK Albums Chart. The album is well regarded by some music critics and, 17 years after its release The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music named Pure Mania one of the 50 best punk albums of all time.
Their follow-up album, V2, narrowly missed the UK Top 30. The only single to be taken from that album, "Automatic Lover", was the only Vibrators’ single to reach the UK Top 40 where it reached #35. It earned the band a TV appearance on the prime-time TV show Top of the Pops. The Vibrators’ final single on Epic, "Judy Says (Knock You In The Head)", was released in June 1978. It reached #70 in the UK singles chart. Years later it was included in Mojo magazine’s list of the best punk rock singles of all time.
A lack of further chart activity, and with only one UK Top 40 single to their credit, sees the Vibrators join the list of one-hit wonders; a list that includes other UK punk and new wave acts such as The Banned, John Cooper Clarke, The Flying Lizards, Jilted John, 999, the Radio Stars, and the Rich Kids.
During the 1980s, John Ellis recorded and toured frequently with Peter Hammill, and subsequently The Stranglers, eventually joining the latter full-time in the 1990s. Pat Collier went on to work closely with The Soft Boys, producing their seminal album, Underwater Moonlight, and Robyn Hitchcock, producing and mixing some of his solo albums (to which Knox also sometimes contributed). Despite numerous line-up changes, The Vibrators are still touring to this date as a three-piece, "Knox" and "Eddie" being the only original members.
Wrecked On You
The Vibrators Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You'd better knock it off or you'll get a fat lip.
Sure like to give Jesus a try,
But always turn into a monster an' make you cry.
(I'm gettin')
Wrecked on you, whoo whoo x 3
Wrecked on you.
Well the way you carry on well it just ain't fair,
You really freak me out in your black underwear.
Don't care honey where you've been,
Get may hands on you, do somethin' obscene.
(I'm gettin')
Wrecked on you, whoo whoo x 3
Wrecked on you.
Don't do this, don't do that.
You got me so messed up I don't know where I'm at.
But I'm givin' you some new information,
Leavin' you child for another destination.
Ain't gonna read no intellectual shit tonight,
Gonna get some horror stories, wanna die of fright.
Tell you man I'm gonna blow a fuse,
I gotta rock 'n' roll lady who's really bad news.
(I'm gettin')
Wrecked on you, whoo whoo x 3
Wrecked on you.
The Vibrators' song "Wrecked On You" is a fast-paced, energetic punk rock track that delves into the singer's desire for a chaotic and wild romantic partner. The lyrics begin by referencing the singer's need for "a bit of stick," or someone who will challenge and excite them, but also threaten them with physical harm ("you'll get a fat lip"). The singer mentions a wish to find Jesus and be a better person, but always seems to succumb to their more primal instincts and become a "monster" who hurts their partner.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "wrecked on you," which can be interpreted as a double meaning - the singer is both physically wrecked by their partner and emotionally wrecked by how much they desire them. The second verse reinforces this idea, as the singer expresses their fascination with their partner's "black underwear" and states that they don't care about their past or where they've been, as long as they get to be with them.
The final verse of the song sees the singer becoming more unhinged, expressing a desire to "get some horror stories" and "die of fright." They mention leaving their current partner for someone else and a disdain for intellectual pursuits in favor of a "rock 'n' roll lady who's really bad news." Overall, "Wrecked On You" is a song that celebrates the thrill of being with someone who is exciting but dangerous, and the adrenaline rush that comes with that kind of relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
What you're looking for honey is a bit of stick,
You want someone who is strong and dominant.
You'd better knock it off or you'll get a fat lip.
Stop acting out or else there will be consequences.
Sure like to give Jesus a try,
I want to have faith and be a better person.
But always turn into a monster an' make you cry.
But sometimes I lose control and hurt those around me.
(I'm gettin')
Wrecked on you, whoo whoo x 3
Wrecked on you.
I am consumed and addicted to you.
Well the way you carry on well it just ain't fair,
Your behavior is unreasonable and unjust.
You really freak me out in your black underwear.
Your revealing clothing makes me uncomfortable.
Don't care honey where you've been,
I don't care about your past.
Get may hands on you, do somethin' obscene.
I just want to have physical pleasure with you.
(I'm gettin')
Wrecked on you, whoo whoo x 3
Wrecked on you.
I am consumed and addicted to you.
Don't do this, don't do that.
I am frustrated by your rules and expectations.
You got me so messed up I don't know where I'm at.
You have caused me to lose my sense of direction and purpose.
But I'm givin' you some new information,
I am telling you something important.
Leavin' you child for another destination.
I am leaving you for someone else.
Ain't gonna read no intellectual shit tonight,
I don't want to think too hard tonight.
Gonna get some horror stories, wanna die of fright.
I want to be scared and entertained by reading horror stories.
Tell you man I'm gonna blow a fuse,
I am going to lose my temper and become angry.
I gotta rock 'n' roll lady who's really bad news.
I am with a woman who is trouble and brings chaos into my life.
(I'm gettin')
Wrecked on you, whoo whoo x 3
Wrecked on you.
I am consumed and addicted to you.
Contributed by Lila S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.