The original line-up was Miles Hunt (whose uncle Bill Hunt was keyboard player with Wizzard), Malcolm Treece, Rob "The Bass Thing" Jones (d. 1993) and Martin Gilks (d. 2006). The group originated from an earlier collaboration with group members of Pop Will Eat Itself (aka PWEI), called From Eden, which had Miles Hunt on the drums.
In 1990, Martin Bell (aka, Fiddlie), an accomplished fiddle and banjo instrumentalist, joined the band and Paul Clifford replaced Rob Jones on the bass after Jones left the band.
The band initially split on July 14, 1994 at the Phoenix Festival near Stratford-on-Avon, with Miles Hunt forming Vent 414 and Malc Treece, Martin Gilks and Paul Clifford teaming up with ex-Eat frontman, Ange Dolittle, to form We Know Where You Live.
Following the split of Vent 414, Miles Hunt took to touring an acoustic solo show performing old favourites and new material. During this period, he toured and released an album under banner of The Miles Hunt Club, featuring Stuart Quinnel and Andres Karu (who would later featuring in subsequent line-ups of The Wonder Stuff) as well as Michael Ferentino fom the Amazing Meet Project.
The band later reformed for a few live tours from 2000 onwards including a sell out 5 night residency at The Forum, London. For this incarnation, Stuart Quinnel took over on bass from Paul Clifford.
Their first new album for over a decade, Escape From Rubbish Island, was released in September 2004. The line-up for this album was Hunt and Treece plus Andres Karu and Mark McCarthy (formally of Radical Dance Faction).
This line-up (plus Erica Nockalls on violin) continued into 2006 with the release of their new album Suspended By Stars.
Scheduled for 2011 is a tour supporting The Levellers for which the line up has changed again, with Andres Karu being replaced on drums by ex-Pop Will Eat Itself member Fuzz Townshend.
No For The 13th Time
The Wonder Stuff Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
"Help me, I think I'm dead,
But wait a while, I'm not completely sure."
But then he didn't speak up
So we buried him 6ft underground,
So what on earth did he think his mouth was for?
Don't talk to him about life and death,
We know a part but he knows the rest.
When he couldn't.
But he didn't get away with it,
Never hurt anybody but his face did fit
The frame in which he was set up.
Running out of time, running out of luck.
So what on earth did he think his mouth was for --- ?
Don't talk to him about truth and lies,
If he's 6ft tall he's half the size.
And damn the man that said he was right, (I'm right)
(not quite)
Hairy arms and sweaty palms
Never had no trouble turning on the charms.
Heaven help the man that said,
"I know it's in my head,
But wait a while, I'm not completely sure."
But I know what's mine's me own,
And what's your's is mine.
And I'M telling you NO,
No, for the 13th time.
The lyrics to The Wonder Stuff's song, "No for the 13th Time," are about people who say one thing but mean another. The first stanza discusses a man who claimed he was dead but wasn't completely sure. He didn't speak up, so he was buried alive. The lyrics question why he didn't use his mouth to speak up when he was still alive, and it implies that he should have been more assertive. In the second stanza, the lyrics discuss a man who claimed he could do something but couldn't. He never hurt anybody, but he fit a certain frame that others put him in. The lyrics suggest that this man was running out of time and luck. The song continues to discuss a man who claimed he knew what was in his head but wasn't sure. However, the singer knows what is theirs and what is not. The song ends with the singer saying no to the person he is talking to for the 13th time.
The song refers to people who struggle to communicate their thoughts and feelings. It highlights the importance of being clear and upfront about what one wants and feels. The song implies that those who do not speak up and act according to their true nature will suffer consequences, eventually. The lyrics are somewhat cynical and harsh, suggesting that people should take responsibility for their words and actions. The song's catchy tune and upbeat tempo create a sense of urgency that matches the singer's message, making it an enjoyable listen.
Line by Line Meaning
Heaven help the man that said, "Help me, I think I'm dead, But wait a while, I'm not completely sure."
This person thinks they might be dead, but they're not completely sure.
But then he didn't speak up So we buried him 6ft underground, So what on earth did he think his mouth was for?
Since he didn't speak up, we assumed he was dead and buried him alive. Why didn't he use his voice to tell us he's not dead?
Don't talk to him about life and death, We know a part but he knows the rest.
We don't understand life and death as much as he does.
Hat's off to the man that said he could, When he couldn't.
We admire those who try, but this guy failed even though he claimed he could do it.
But he didn't get away with it, Never hurt anybody but his face did fit The frame in which he was set up.
He failed but he wasn't punished; he was favored for fitting in a certain group.
Running out of time, running out of luck. So what on earth did he think his mouth was for?
He's running out of time and luck, but he still isn't using his voice to speak up for himself.
Don't talk to him about truth and lies, If he's 6ft tall he's half the size.
He isn't truthful, and we don't consider him to be a big person if he's 6ft tall but doesn't tell the truth.
And damn the man that said he was right, (I'm right) (not quite)
We don't like those who claim to be right when they're actually wrong.
Hairy arms and sweaty palms Never had no trouble turning on the charms.
Even though he's not honest, he's still able to charm people.
Heaven help the man that said, "I know it's in my head, But wait a while, I'm not completely sure."
He thinks something is in his head, but he isn't sure.
But I know what's mine's me own, And what's your's is mine. And I'M telling you NO, No, for the 13th time.
He's selfish and thinks everything belongs to him. He's saying no to someone who has asked him something repeatedly.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MALCOLM ROY TREECE, MARTIN RICHARD GILKS, MILES STEPHEN HUNT, ROBERT JONES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind