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.
The Size of a Cow
The Wonder Stuff Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When you're not looking forward?
Me, I'd like to think life is like a drink
And I'm hoping that it tastes like bourbon
You know that I've been drunk a thousand times
And these should be the best days of my life
Life, it's not what I thought it was
Damn blast, look at my past
I'm ripping up my feet over broken glass
I said, Oh wow, look at me now
I'm building up my problems to the size of a cow
The size of a cow
You know it would be strange to live life in a cage
And only believe the things you see that are written on the page
How easy would it be home in time for tea
And stop feeling like a sailboat rocking on the sea
You know that it's been sunk a thousand times
And these should be the best days of my life
Life, it's not what I thought it was
Damn blast, look at my past
I'm ripping up my feet over broken glass
I said, Oh wow, look at me now
I'm building up my problems to the size of a cow
The size of a cow
The size of a cow
You know that I've been drunk a thousand times
And these should be the best days of my life
Damn blast, look at my past
I'm ripping up my feet over broken glass
I said, Oh wow, look at me now
I'm building up my problems to the size of a cow
The size of a cow
Damn blast, look at my past
I'm ripping up my feet over broken glass
I said, Oh wow, look at me now
I'm building up my problems to the size of a cow
The size of a cow
The size of a cow
"The Size Of A Cow" is a song by The Wonder Stuff that explores the concept of life not always turning out to be as expected. The first verse addresses the idea that things aren't always as they seem, particularly when one is not looking forward. The singer then expresses their hope that life is like bourbon, a drink that should be savored and enjoyed. The idea here being that life should be enjoyable and rich, particularly since the singer has been drunk many times before and should be enjoying the best days of their life.
The following lines express the singer's current situation: they are metaphorically walking on broken glass, and building up their problems to the size of a cow. The latter part of the song expresses a longing for a simpler life, where one could believe everything written on the page and live in a cage. The general message of the song is that life is unpredictable and often messy, but one can always try to find reasons to laugh despite the chaos.
Fact 1: "The Size Of A Cow" is from The Wonder Stuff's third album "Never Loved Elvis," which was released in 1991.
Fact 2: The song was a huge chart success and reached number five in the UK's official chart.
Fact 3: The song was released with a music video that features the band playing on a cartoon set with various bizarre animals playing around them.
Fact 4: The album "Never Loved Elvis" was produced by Pat Collier, who also produced Boy George's "Sold" and The Housemartins' "London 0 Hull 4."
Fact 5: The song's title was initially just a working title that stuck until the release.
Fact 6: The opening lyrics of the song were inspired by a conversation between singer Miles Hunt and American singer-songwriter Kristin Hersh.
Fact 7: The song was used to promote Arby's fast food in the United States in 1991.
Fact 8: "The Size Of A Cow" was parodied by the comedy show Spitting Image, with the song "The Chicken Song."
Fact 9: The song has been covered by various artists, including Mark McCabe and Goldie Lookin Chain.
Fact 10: The song's chord progression uses G, D, C and A chords.
Chords:
Intro: G D C A x2
Verse: G D C A x2
Chorus: D A G A x2
Bridge: C G A D A G A x4
Outro: G D C A x4
Line by Line Meaning
Don't you think it's funny that nothing's what it seems
Isn't it amusing how things are not always as they appear?
When you're not looking forward?
When you're not anticipating what's to come.
Me, I'd like to think life is like a drink
Personally, I prefer to view life like a beverage.
And I'm hoping that it tastes like bourbon
And my aspiration is for it to have the flavor of bourbon.
You know that I've been drunk a thousand times
You're aware that I've been intoxicated numerous times.
And these should be the best days of my life
And theoretically, these times should be the greatest of my existence.
Life, it's not what I thought it was
However, it is not the way I perceived it to be.
Damn blast, look at my past
Darn it, examine my history.
I'm ripping up my feet over broken glass
I'm injuring my feet while walking through shards of glass.
I said, Oh wow, look at me now
I exclaimed, Oh my, observe the person I've become.
I'm building up my problems to the size of a cow
I'm exaggerating my troubles to be as huge as a cow.
The size of a cow
As massive as a bovine.
You know it would be strange to live life in a cage
It would be peculiar to live a life confined in a cage.
And only believe the things you see that are written on the page
And only trust the words on a sheet of paper that you see.
How easy would it be home in time for tea
How effortless it would be to return home in time for tea.
And stop feeling like a sailboat rocking on the sea
And cease feeling like a sailing vessel swaying in the ocean.
You know that it's been sunk a thousand times
You're aware that it has sunk multiple times.
Damn blast, look at my past
Dang it, evaluate my history.
I'm ripping up my feet over broken glass
I'm injuring my feet while walking through shards of glass.
I said, Oh wow, look at me now
I exclaimed, Oh my, observe the person I've become.
I'm building up my problems to the size of a cow
I'm exaggerating my troubles to be as huge as a cow.
The size of a cow
As massive as a bovine.
Damn blast, look at my past
Darn it, examine my history.
I'm ripping up my feet over broken glass
I'm injuring my feet while walking through shards of glass.
I said, Oh wow, look at me now
I exclaimed, Oh my, observe the person I've become.
I'm building up my problems to the size of a cow
I'm exaggerating my troubles to be as huge as a cow.
The size of a cow
As massive as a bovine.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MALCOLM ROY TREECE, MARTIN BELL, MARTIN RICHARD GILKS, MILES STEPHEN HUNT, PAUL CLIFFORD, ROBERT JONES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ikonographics
This was my class anthem back in 1991...
Don't you think it's funny
that nothing's what it seems
When you're in 7A
We have the comprehension
That life is a detention
And we're hoping that we'll get away!
You know that we've been warned
a thousand times
And these should be the best days of our lives
Life is not what we thought it was!
Damn blast! Look at our past
Were ripping up the desks in Kruger's class!
I said, OH wow, look us now!
Were building up our problems to the size of a cow!
Can't believe I still remember our lyrics after...32 years 😱
@de-yanach
The Size of a Cow
Don't you think it's funny that nothing's what it seems
When you're not looking forward?
Me, I'd like to think that life is like a drink
And I'm hoping that it tastes like bourbon
You know that I've been drunk a thousand times
And these should be the best days of my life
Life, it's not what I thought it was
Damn blast, look at my past
I'm ripping up my feet over broken glass
I said, oh wow, look at me now
I'm building up my problems to the size of a cow
No, oh, oh, oh, oh the size of a cow
You know it would be strange to live life in a cage
And only believe the things you see that are written on the page
How easy would it be at home in time for tea
And stop feeling like a sailboat rocking on the sea
You know that it's been sunk a thousand times
And these should be the best days of my life
Life, it's not what I thought it was
Damn blast, look at my past
I'm ripping up my feet over broken glass
I said, oh wow, look at me now
I'm building up my problems to the size of a cow
No, oh, oh, oh, oh the size of a cow
No, oh, oh, oh, oh the size of a cow
You know that I've been drunk a thousand times
And these should be the best days of my life
Life, it's not what I thought it was
Damn blast, look at my past
I'm ripping up my feet over broken glass
I said, oh wow, look at me now
I'm building up my problems to the size of a cow
Damn blast, look at my past
I'm ripping up my feet over broken glass
I said, oh wow, look at me now
I'm building up my problems to the size of a cow
Oh, oh, oh, oh the size of a cow
Oh, oh, oh, oh
@patrickstocks3576
Don’t you think 🤔 it’s funny 😄 that nothings what it seems
When you’re not looking forward?
Me, I’d like 👍🏻 to think 🤔 life is like 👍🏻 a drink 🥃
And I’m hoping that it tastes like 👍🏻 bourbon 🥃
You know that I’ve been drunk 😵 a 1,000 times
And these should be the best days of my life
Life, it’s not what I thought 💭 it was
Damn blast 💥 look at my past
I’m ripping up my feet over broken glass
I said, Oh wow 🤩 look at me now
I’m building up my problems to the size of a cow 🐄
The size of a cow 🐄
You know it would be strange to live life in a cage
And only believe the things you see that are written on the page 📄
How easy would it be home 🏡 in time for tea 🍵
And stop 🛑 feeling like a sailboat ⛵️ rocking on the sea 🌊
You know that it’s been sunk a 1,000 times
And these should be the best days of my life
Life, it’s not what I thought 💭 it was
Damn blast 💥 look at my past
I’m ripping up my feet over broken 😞 glass
I said, Oh wow, look at me now
I’m building up my problems to the size of a cow 🐄
The size of a cow 🐄
The size of a cow 🐄
You know that I’ve been drunk 😵 a 1,000 times
And these should be the best days of my life
Damn blast 💥 look 👀 at my past
I’m ripping up my feet 🦶 over broken glass
I said, Oh wow 🤩 look at me now
I’m building up my problems to the size of a cow 🐄
The size of a cow 🐄
Damn blast 💥 look at my past
I’m ripping up my feet over broken glass
I said, Oh wow 🤩 look at me now
The size of a cow 🐄
The size of a cow 🐄
@katcankan7129
🎼🎤😎🎵🎶
Lyrics
Don't you think it's funny that nothing's what it seems
When you're not looking forward?
Me, I'd like to think life is like a drink
And I'm hoping that it tastes like bourbon
You know that I've been drunk a thousand times
And these should be the best days of my life
Life, it's not what I thought it was
Damn blast, look at my past
I'm ripping up my feet over broken glass
I said, Oh wow, look at me now
I'm building up my problems to the size of a cow
The size of a cow
You know it would be strange to live life in a cage
And only believe the things you see that are written on the page
How easy would it be home in time for tea
And stop feeling like a sailboat rocking on the sea
You know that it's been sunk a thousand times
And these should be the best days of my life
Life, it's not what I thought it was
Damn blast, look at my past
I'm ripping up my feet over broken glass
I said, Oh wow, look at me now
I'm building up my problems to the size of a cow
The size of a cow
The size of a cow
You know that I've been drunk a thousand times
And these should be the best days of my life, life it's not what l thought it was
Damn blast, look at my past
I'm ripping up my feet over broken glass
I said, Oh wow, look at me now
I'm building up my problems to the size of a cow
The size of a cow
Damn blast, look at my past
I'm ripping up my feet over broken glass
I said, Oh wow, look at me now
I'm building up my problems to the size of a cow
The size of a cow
The size of a cow
@coachanderson2704
Where real musicians and artists played real instruments! Miss the good old times and the music.
@GenericWhiteBitch1980
This song is almost guaranteed to invoke a full on crazy summer memories montage every time you hear it.
@daynerpotter9514
Yes for sure, I was 11 👍
@GenericWhiteBitch1980
@Rose Alice Fuller 'Jana 'Vegana' Selassie' Has anyone told you that you are a complete, worthy and beautiful human being today? If not then please let me be the first. 💕
@scottculli7851
I absolutely love this song. I’ve never heard of this band, but I’m gonna start listening. These guys are unique.
@sarahc4818
Absolutely loved Martin Gilks, was lucky enough to be taught by him and Tank's Dad in the 90's 😁
@markgreet3543
Great song, reminds of the summer of 1991 chilled out times.
@chriswagg1354
One of the best bands ever...still gigging, get out and see them when all this COVID crap is over...you won't be disappointed!!
@dudleyjoseph9485
Saw them last night in Cardiff. Didn't disappoint!
@7bluebell
Saw them last week in Birmingham and they were amazing.