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.
Sleep Alone
The Wonder Stuff Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I was easy then, and I'm easy now.
I still sit at home twitching my fingers,
playing the songs of my favorite singers,
easy then, I'm easy now.
And when the days turn into nights,
and the nights turn into days,
she would say. (Oh I wish she'd stay).
I choose to sleep alone,
I'm not waiting for the telephone.
No, I'm not waiting for the telephone,
oh no.
The lyrics to The Wonder Stuff's Sleep Alone speak of a longing for a lost love, with the singer reminiscing about an easier time when he was with this person. He is still holding onto the memory of her, playing music that reflects his sentiment and reflecting on how he feels as the days turn into nights and vice versa. He recalls her saying, "This house is not my home," suggesting that she has left and that he is alone. Despite his longing, he chooses to sleep alone, deciding not to wait for the phone to ring or for her to come back. It is a bittersweet song that captures the feelings of heartbreak and the struggle to move on from someone you still care for.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you remember when I spoke to you?
Do you recall the time when we had a conversation?
I was easy then, and I'm easy now.
I was uncomplicated before, and I remain uncomplicated.
I still sit at home twitching my fingers, playing the songs of my favorite singers, easy then, I'm easy now.
I spend my time at home fidgeting with my fingers while listening to the melodies of my most loved musicians. Uncomplicated before, uncomplicated now.
And when the days turn into nights, and the nights turn into days, she would say. (Oh I wish she'd stay).
As the day turns into night and night to day, I long for my partner to remain by my side.
"This house is not my home" I choose to sleep alone, I'm not waiting for the telephone.
"This abode isn't my dwelling" I opt to slumber by myself, I'm not anticipating a phone call.
No, I'm not waiting for the telephone, oh no.
I am not eagerly expecting any phone call.
Lyrics ยฉ Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MALCOLM ROY TREECE, MARTIN BELL, MARTIN RICHARD GILKS, MILES STEPHEN HUNT, PAUL CLIFFORD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Travis1365
Love it, thank you WonderStuff, great memories. God bless you all. God rest Martin Gilks.
@Zardoze1
I listen to a wide variety of music, from all over the world... Yet this is the song that comes into my head on virtually a daily basis...
@glennfeld3809
How there only be 4 comments for one one of the greatest songs of all time
@simonshepherd34
How can this masterpiece only have 184 likes over 4 years?
@chronicalmagic4073
truly depressing
@shiznicks74
I love this band.
@glennfeld3809
I want this song at my funeral
@glennfeld3809
So underated
@glennfeld3809
The best song of all time
@glennfeld3809
Is the song I want at my funeral,no song will come closer