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.
Tremble
The Wolfgang Press Lyrics
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Head in the water
When the waters break and the mud sucks up
You're going to tremble
You're going to tremble
When the bowl is dry and the heat is mine
When the dust is ours
You're going to tremble
With half an eye
You're going to tremble, tremble
It's the magic of fools that the words are no more
Than fancy talk from shattered teeth and now
To begin the beguine [wait]
There goes another here, there goes another
Don't you say, don't ever ask why to what you are
Race along the road to rack or ruin
Or where ever you are
With half an eye I'll discover why nothing makes sense
With half a lout in substance will out
Hear me why I will not be torn from what is mine
You're going to tremble
It's the magic of fools in all the ways and all the ways
Half an eye discover why that nothing makes sense
You don't need me to see that I was never here at all
You race along the road to wherever you go
A lacquered head, a foreign tongue
To help oblige this need to belong
Fires crack crack crack
You're going to tremble, tremble
It's the magic of fools that the words are no more
Than fancy talk from shattered teeth
And now to begin the beguine
Don't ever say, don't ever ask why to what magic is there
All the ways in all the ways in I are apart
Don't save one day, don't waste all day
Don't waste all day, don't race
Don't nail away to wherever you go
My girl ain't anybody, my girl is somebody.
The song "Tremble" by The Wolfgang Press talks about the uncertainty and fear that comes with change and the unknown. The opening lines "Head in the clouds, head in the water" symbolize the confusion and disorientation that comes with being in between two worlds, unsure of where you belong. The mention of "origins and last goodbyes" indicates that this is a time of transition, of leaving behind the familiar and stepping into something new.
The repeated phrase "You're going to tremble" emphasizes the fear and vulnerability that comes with this transition. The verses describe various situations where this fear might manifest, such as when the waters break and the mud sucks up, or when the bowl is dry and the heat is mine. The chorus reassures the listener that this trembling is a natural response, and that it's a part of the "magic of fools" - in other words, something that everyone experiences at some point.
The later verses talk about the value of individuality amidst the chaos, with lines like "With half a lout in substance will out, hear me why I will not be torn from what is mine." The song ends with the cryptic line "My girl ain't anybody, my girl is somebody," which could be interpreted as a reminder that each person is unique and valuable in their own way, regardless of how they may feel during difficult times of change.
Line by Line Meaning
Head in the clouds
You are lost in thought or fantasy.
Head in the water
You are immersed in or overwhelmed by something.
When the waters break and the mud sucks up
When everything falls apart and chaos ensues.
You're going to tremble
You will feel fear or uncertainty.
Your origins and your last goodbyes
Your past and your final moments.
When the bowl is dry and the heat is mine
When everything has been taken and you are left with nothing.
When the dust is ours
When we have nothing left.
With half an eye
With only a partial understanding.
It's the magic of fools that the words are no more
Foolishness is thinking that words matter when they are meaningless.
Than fancy talk from shattered teeth and now
It is all just meaningless talk.
To begin the beguine [wait]
To start again, to try again.
There goes another here, there goes another
People come and go.
Don't you say, don't ever ask why to what you are
Do not question who you are.
Race along the road to rack or ruin
Either succeed or fail spectacularly.
Or where ever you are
No matter where you are.
With half a lout in substance will out
With only part of the necessary qualities will still make an impact.
Hear me why I will not be torn from what is mine
I will not let go of what belongs to me.
It's the magic of fools in all the ways and all the ways
Foolishness is everywhere.
You don't need me to see that I was never here at all
My presence is not necessary or significant.
A lacquered head, a foreign tongue
Someone who appears to be something they are not.
To help oblige this need to belong
To fit in and be accepted.
Fires crack crack crack
Things are falling apart.
All the ways in all the ways in I are apart
I do not belong or fit in.
Don't save one day, don't waste all day
Don't wait or procrastinate, but don't overdo it either.
Don't waste all day, don't race
Don't waste time, but don't rush recklessly either.
Don't nail away to wherever you go
Don't get stuck on a certain path.
My girl ain't anybody, my girl is somebody.
My girl is not just a random person, but she is somebody significant.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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