The group was formed in 1988 in Winnipeg, Manitoba by vocalist Daniel Greaves, guitarist Joey Serlin, bassist Pete Loewen and drummer Sammy Kohn. Serlin was a comic fan and named the group after the DC comic. They released their debut album, McLaren Furnace Room, in 1992. (The album was named for one of the band's rehearsal spaces, the furnace room of the McLaren Hotel in Winnipeg.) The single "Cracked" garnered the band significant airplay on rock stations, but was quickly eclipsed by the anti-spousal abuse anthem "Run and Hide", which became the band's breakthrough hit.
Loewen left the band, and was replaced by Ken Tizzard. The band's 1994 album In the Trees confirmed their place in Canadian rock with the hit singles "Boneyard Tree", "All Uncovered" and "Lusitana".
Their 1996 album Brand New Day was not as well-received by critics or audiences -- "Zoom", "Incarnate" and "Shut Up" were moderately successful singles, but none achieved the kind of success that the band's earlier singles had. 1998's Silent Radar was the band's return to commercial success, with the hit singles "Stereo", "Any Day Now" and "Brighter Hell".
Their 2001 album Slomotion saw the exit of Sammy Kohn and the remaining members experimenting with more industrial textures. As if prepared for a bad reception, the band also packaged the album with a second greatest hits disc. The album was, indeed, poorly received by fans and critics, with only the single "Absolutely Anytime" gaining any radio airplay.
The band subsequently broke up. Greaves went on to form Doctor with Rob Higgins, Tizzard joined Thornley, and Serlin appeared on Ryan Malcolm's debut album before forming his own new band, Redline.
In 2009, the band reformed and started touring again.
All Uncovered
The Watchmen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's not like it's five years ago
Lately you're over my body
'Cause that's just the place that I want you to be
Look at the pictures you've gotten
They're like signals from oncoming cars
We're covered and caked from the last time
I know it sounds weird, we collect it in jars
Oh can't you see it's the life I don't need
Please don't make this thing up for me
(The way that I wannabe)
Oh can't you see it's the life I don't need
Please don't make this thing up for me
Driving in style with a smile on
I wish the light could turn red on me now
The day's been so damn hard already
So buckle me in on the highway of sin
'Cause that's just the way that I wannabe
Oh can't you see it's the life I don't need
Please don't make this thing up for me
(The way that I wannabe)
Oh can't you see it's the life I don't need
Please don't make this thing up for me
Cause that's just the way
Cause that's just the way
All uncovered
That's just the way
Driving in style with a smile on
I wish the light could turn red on me now
The day's been so damn hard already
So buckle me in on the highway of sin
'Cause that's just the way that I wannabe (wannabe)
Cause that's just the way
That's just the way
All uncovered
That's just the way
The lyrics to The Watchmen's song "All Uncovered" hint at an intimate sexual experience between two people. However, the lyrics also suggest the need for secrecy and a desire to be covered up. The line "We're covered and caked from the last time, I know it sounds weird, we collect it in jars" hints at a level of secrecy and taboo behavior. The song's chorus repeats the line "Cause that's just the way that I wannabe", suggesting that both partners are content with the way things are and that they want to keep it that way. The lines "Driving in style with a smile on, I wish the light could turn red on me now" could suggest that they want to keep their relationship a secret, even from the public eye.
Overall, the song seems to be about a sexual relationship that is kept secret by both partners. Despite the danger and taboo of their actions, they both enjoy the lifestyle and want it to stay that way. The Watchmen's poetic and insightful lyrics help to capture the complex emotions of the characters in this song.
Line by Line Meaning
Lying in bedrooms is easy
It's easy to be physically intimate with someone
It's not like it's five years ago
It's not like it used to be
Lately you're over my body
Recently, you've been very physical with me
'Cause that's just the place that I want you to be
Because being intimate with you is what I desire
Look at the pictures you've gotten
Look at the memories we've created together
They're like signals from oncoming cars
They remind us of what's coming next - the future
We're covered and caked from the last time
We're physically covered in the evidence of our intimacy from the last time we were together
I know it sounds weird, we collect it in jars
It's strange, but we keep the evidence of our physical intimacy as a reminder of our time together
'Cause that's just the place that I wannabe
Because being physically intimate with you is where I want to be
Oh can't you see it's the life I don't need
I don't need this kind of intimacy in my life
Please don't make this thing up for me
Please don't try to create something that I don't want
Driving in style with a smile on
Driving in a nice car with a smile on my face
I wish the light could turn red on me now
I wish I could pause time and just sit here for a while
The day's been so damn hard already
I've had a really tough day so far
So buckle me in on the highway of sin
Let's hit the road and do something a little wild or reckless
'Cause that's just the way that I wannabe
Because living life on the edge is what I desire
All uncovered
Fully exposed and vulnerable
Cause that's just the way
Because that's just who I am
Cause that's just the way
Because that's just the way I choose to live
All uncovered
Fully exposed and vulnerable
That's just the way
That's just how I live my life
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@aberkelm
Late 90's Canadian rock was dark in a way, but not depressing... Matthew Good Band, Barstool Prophets, Watchmen, Big Wreck all had that feeling to them... best era of music in my opinion.
@kbscott25
One of the most important bands in Canadian rock history...period.
@butterstuff30
love this song. When I was 15 I listened to this song a lot driving to BC from NF, now I'm going to drive back and this is going in the car!!
@RyanOSullivan
One of the best songs ever written
@Tigga321
One of my favourite songs of all time
@matcraizy
best winnipeg band ever!!!!
@ShannonVenasse
this song brings back memories from the 90's.
@paranoidandroid3232
I've been in love with this song for 16 years now
@GTRFANATIC
Can't believe people take the time to critique the lyrics. The song moves you or it doesn't. Great band, great tune. That is all
@jts33
These guys played during Frosh Week at UWO in London....almost every year I was at University! love 'em!