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.
I Am the Crime
The Wolfgang Press Lyrics
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When the first dog cracked, I broke his back
I'm running through the river saying
Life's a lie
Life's a lie
People make such a mess
Life's a lie
Life's a lie
And with my blessing burn this down
And with my blessing burn them down
As for me it's more than this, it's restlessly.
I found the crime inside of me saying
Life's a lie
Life's a lie
Singing come to me, come to me, oh come to me
With my eyes wide open
Singing come to me, come to me, oh come to me
With my father's eyes
I am the Crime
There's nobody else, nobody else
I am the Crime
With this song in the air
My intentions were clear
She came down on a bad train
She came down on the back of me
She came down on the back of me
So my life's wrapped up in time,
Oh my life is restlessly
Oh my life is not the same
Life's a lie, life's a lie
Singing come to me, oh come to me...
I am the crime
There's nobody else, nobody else…
I am the crime
The lyrics of "I am the Crime" by The Wolfgang Press include dark and violent imagery mixed with existential thoughts about the nature of life. The first two lines of the song - "When the first dog cocked a leg, I had him shot / When the first dog cracked, I broke his back" - suggest a person who feels the need to exert control over everything, even innocent animals. This violence is juxtaposed with the repeated refrain of "Life's a lie," conveying a sense of despair about the human condition. The singer seems to have found some kind of acceptance in this realization, as they declare that they have "found the Crime inside of me."
The second half of the song introduces a new voice, perhaps a lover or companion, who "came down on the back of me." This person is also struggling with the same existential questions, as evidenced by the repetition of "Life's a lie." The singer fully embraces their identity as "the Crime," asserting that there is "nobody else" who shares in their experiences of violence and disillusionment. They end the song with a plea for others to join them, saying "Singing come to me, oh come to me."
Possible interpretations of the lyrics include a critique of societal norms and conformity, a commentary on the human tendency towards violence and control, and a reflection on the meaninglessness of life.
Line by Line Meaning
When the first dog cocked a leg, I had him shot
As soon as the dog started acting up, I took decisive action and got rid of it.
When the first dog cracked, I broke his back
If the dog refused to behave, I would use violent measures to subdue it and assert dominance.
I'm running through the river saying Life's a lie Life's a lie
Despite my brutal actions, life ultimately feels meaningless to me.
People make such a mess And as for me, I found the Crime inside of me [saying] Life's a lie Life's a lie
People are inherently flawed and chaotic, but I have embraced my own darkness and believe life is meaningless.
And with my blessing burn this down And with my blessing burn them down As for me it's more than this, it's restlessly
I am not content with simply destroying physical things. My inner turmoil is insatiable.
Singing come to me, come to me, oh come to me With my eyes wide open Singing come to me, come to me, oh come to me With my father's eyes I am the Crime
I am inviting others to join me in my darkness, seeing the world with clarity and control.
There's nobody else, nobody else I am the Crime With this song in the air My intentions were clear
I am completely alone in my worldview, and this song is a clear indication of the destruction I seek.
She came down on a bad train She came down on the back of me She came down on the back of me
Someone else who is struggling with their own issues and chaos has joined me, seeking comfort in my darkness.
So my life's wrapped up in time, Oh my life is restlessly Oh my life is not the same Life's a lie, life's a lie Singing come to me, oh come to me...
I am consumed by my inner turmoil and restlessness, and life continues to feel meaningless. I continue to invite others to join me in my darkness.
I am the crime There's nobody else, nobody else… I am the crime
I see myself as a force of destruction and chaos in the world, with no one else who truly understands or shares my perspective.
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ANDREW KEITH GRAY, MARK ALAN COX, MICHAEL DEREK ALLEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind