Formed in London in 1983, the Wolfgang Press comprised vocalist Michael Allen, guitarist Andrew Gray, and keyboardist Mark Cox. Allen and Cox first teamed in the group Rema Rema, which also featured Adam & the Ants alum Marco Perroni; after reuniting in the short-lived quartet Mass, the duo recruited Gray, and as the Wolfgang Press issued their cacophonous, gloomy debut LP, The Burden of Mules, in 1983. An EP trilogy co-produced by Cocteau Twin Robin Guthrie followed in quick succession: while 1984's Scarecrow was a lighter, more streamlined affair, 1985's Water spotlighted ominously sparse torch songs, and the same year's Sweatbox explored deconstructionist pop. The three EPs were later collected on The Legendary Wolfgang Press & Other Stories.
The Wolfgang Press' second full-length effort, 1986's Standing Up Straight, incorporated industrial and orchestral influences into the mix, while the Big Sex EP's "God's Number" offered a soulful backing chorus, a harbinger of things to come. Indeed, after 1988's hypnotic Bird Wood Cage and its leadoff single, "King of Soul," introduced strong elements of dub, reggae, and R&B, the trio took the full plunge into the dance arena with 1991's Queer, an idiosyncratic outing admittedly inspired by De La Soul's landmark 3 Feet High and Rising; the first single, a surreal cover of the Randy Newman-penned "Mama Told Me Not to Come," was a minor hit. 1995's Funky Little Demons completed the Wolfgang Press' transition into white funk; prior to its release, however, Cox exited the group's ranks.
Going South
The Wolfgang Press Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My instincts tell me to crash
You've got salt emissions and you know how to use them
I somehow think this won't last
So I'm moving south
To the great unknown
Yeah I'm moving south
You've got a reason some funky little demons
Telling me that life is a gas
You're a deconstruction a euphemism nothing
Motown gives it a blast
So I'm moving south
To the great unknown
Yeah I'm going south
Where the head unloads
Called my brother, he said, "I need a lawyer"
And my life is sinking at best
Called my brother, he said, "I've just become
A moaner who lives in the past"
You've got a vision some funky little sms
Telling me that life is a gas
Your misconception is a pitiful expression
It's something, I'll never possess
So I'm moving south
To the great unknown
Yeah I'm moving south
Where the head unloads
Peace and love, a phoney kind of blubber
My instincts tell me to crash
You've got salt emissions and you know how to use them
I somehow think this won't last
So I'm moving south
To the great unknown
Yeah I'm moving south
Where the head unloads
The lyrics to The Wolfgang Press's song "Going South" seem to express the desire to leave a situation that is not fulfilling or authentic. The opening lines express cynicism towards the commonly repeated phrases of "peace and love," calling it a "phony kind of blubber." The writer's instincts tell them to "crash," suggesting a desire to break out of the current pattern of life.
The next lines seem to express resentment towards someone who is able to manipulate others with their charm or wit. The line "you've got salt emissions and you know how to use them" may be referring to someone who is able to "salt the wound" and take advantage of others. The line "this won't last" suggests that the writer is not fooled by this person's manipulations and is looking to move on.
The chorus expresses a desire to go "south" to the "great unknown" where the head unloads. This may be a metaphor for a new, undiscovered place where one can unburden themselves and start fresh. The second verse seems to express frustration with someone who is living in the past and not looking towards the future. The line "life is a gas" may be a reference to The Stooges' song of the same name and suggest that the person being described is stuck in the past.
Overall, the lyrics to "Going South" seem to express a desire to break away from a stale or toxic situation and find a new beginning. The themes of disillusionment with false promises, manipulation, and nostalgia for the past are all present in these lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Peace and love, a phoney kind of blubber
The singer is skeptical of the sincerity of 'peace and love' messages.
My instincts tell me to crash
The singer's intuition warns them that something bad might happen.
You've got salt emissions and you know how to use them
The singer suspects that the other party is capable of being aggressive or hurtful.
I somehow think this won't last
The artist has a feeling that the current situation is temporary and will change soon.
So I'm moving south
The artist has decided to physically relocate to get away from their current problems.
To the great unknown
The singer is taking a risk by going somewhere unfamiliar.
Where the head unloads
The singer hopes to find some relief or clarity by going south.
You've got a reason some funky little demons
The artist believes that the other party has ulterior motives for their actions or words.
Telling me that life is a gas
The other party is trying to convince the artist that life is exciting and fun.
You're a deconstruction a euphemism nothing
The other party's arguments or statements are meaningless or empty.
Motown gives it a blast
The other party might be trying to distract or impress the singer with music.
Called my brother, he said, "I need a lawyer"
The artist's brother is in legal trouble and needs help.
And my life is sinking at best
The singer's personal problems might be impacting their mental health or overall well-being.
Called my brother, he said, "I've just become
A moaner who lives in the past"
The singer's brother has become stagnant and pessimistic.
You've got a vision some funky little sms
The other party has a particular view or idea that they're trying to convey to the singer through text messages.
Your misconception is a pitiful expression
The artist believes that the other party is misguided or wrong about something.
It's something, I'll never possess
The artist thinks that they will never understand or agree with the other party's perspective.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ANDREW KEITH GRAY, MICHAEL DEREK ALLEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Maciek Trybuszewski
The most notoriously greatest unknown band in the world.
Jakub Bielak
I've got the whole album on cassette.It's really great. Especially Chains. BTW.This is different version of the song than the album one.
Bill
I used to have a room-sized cassette collection! I though 8-track was foolishly limiting and barbaric, and I never trusted CDs very much.
Now, I don't have the patience to cue up a song unless it's an mp3 on the desktop. Isn't that pathetic?
New gutierrez
This is sick . So glad I found it !!!!!🔥🔥🔥🔥
Francisco J. Brenes
Does this song have a different intro from the US version? Nevertheless, is a great song (as pretty much of all of WP's output). This song has a stage that reminds me of the stage used by Depeche Mode on their video for Suffer Well.
Carlos Pires
Nice recuerdo! 4AD Top quality!
Artiom Romashov
Oh! My crazy 1995!
celia ayneto
Enormous...
8068
What album is this mix from?
fedge
It's the 7" Mix, found on the Going South EP.