A Mutual Friend
Wire Lyrics


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As a mutual friend it was difficult to pretend
That I was anything less than concerned
Hearing of your troubles
Has forced me to double
My interest in your current affairs
It's no use despising a new unknown horizon
Now your son has set his sights on the moon
So precipitous a decision has clouded your vision
And altered the pitch of your tune
Please don't turn a deaf ear to the noises you hear
While savagely your love you prune
For he might replace the old with the moon
He might replace the old with the moon
In March, April, May, and June
July, August, September, soon
He might replace the old with the moon
It could be October
November, or even December
So in January and February remember




He might replace the old with the moon
He might replace the old quite soon

Overall Meaning

In Wire's song A Mutual Friend, the lyrics describe the difficulty of pretending to not care about someone's troubles when you are in fact concerned. The singer expresses how hearing about their friend's recent problems has doubled their interest in their life. The song then goes on to talk about the friend's son who has set his sights on the moon, implying that he is reaching for seemingly impossible goals. The decision to do so has clouded the friend's vision and changed their attitude. The singer urges their friend to pay attention to the noises they hear and not to completely neglect their love for their son, as he may replace the past with the future.


The lyrics of A Mutual Friend are open to interpretation, but it can be inferred that they are about the struggles of coping with change and adjusting to new goals. The friend's son represents the desire for something greater and the unknown horizon. The line "He might replace the old with the moon" could be seen as a metaphor for letting go of the past and moving forward. The song also seems to suggest that change is inevitable and that it should be embraced rather than feared.


Line by Line Meaning

As a mutual friend it was difficult to pretend
I, as a mutual friend, found it difficult to pretend that I was not concerned.


That I was anything less than concerned
I was genuinely concerned about your troubles.


Hearing of your troubles
Upon hearing about your troubles.


Has forced me to double
It has increased my interest and concern.


My interest in your current affairs
My concern for your current situation.


It's no use despising a new unknown horizon
It will not benefit you to dislike something new and unfamiliar.


Now your son has set his sights on the moon
Your son has set his goals highly, perhaps unattainably.


So precipitous a decision has clouded your vision
Such a bold decision has made you lose clarity in your thinking.


And altered the pitch of your tune
It has changed your mindset and approach to life.


Please don't turn a deaf ear to the noises you hear
Do not ignore the messages you receive, even if they are difficult to accept.


While savagely your love you prune
As you harshly cut back on your love for those around you.


For he might replace the old with the moon
Your son may replace your old life and traditions with new, ambitious goals.


He might replace the old with the moon
The idea is reiterated, he may change everything you know.


In March, April, May, and June
This change may come in any month, including the Spring and early Summer.


July, August, September, soon
It could occur in the mid to late Summer as well.


He might replace the old with the moon
Emphasizing how your son's goals could completely change your life.


It could be October
This change could come later in the year, around Autumn.


November, or even December
Further emphasizing how this change could take place anytime in the year's end.


So in January and February remember
Even after waiting through the entire year, the change could still happen at any time.


He might replace the old with the moon
Once more emphasizing the gravity of the situation.


He might replace the old quite soon
The change could happen at any moment.




Contributed by Ruby S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Pierre Clary


on Champs

i believe this song is about amphetamine abuse, endemic on the punk scene...Speed, "more speed than before ,less time than before (tolerance build up)........

Pierre Clary


on Champs

The song "Champs" by Wire is an intense and fast-paced track that addresses themes of competitiveness, the desire for success, and the sacrifices one must make in order to achieve their goals. The repeated phrases "The taste of champions, the pace, the pace, the speed, the need, the need to seed, the chance to die" suggest that the speaker is wholly dedicated to winning and will stop at nothing to achieve their goals. The subsequent line "Another dead don't cry" implies that the speaker has seen others perish in their pursuit of victory and is not phased by it. The stanza "You've still got speed, you'll maybe bleed, there's less time" highlights the idea that time is running out and that one must act quickly if they wish to be successful.

The next stanza begins with the phrase "More speed than before, you've done it before, there is no for, what are you doing it for?" which suggests that the speaker is no longer satisfied with their previous achievements and is compelled to push themselves even harder. The line "Want more, want more" is a clear indication that the speaker is never satisfied with what they have and will always strive for more. The repetition of "Another dead don't cry" throughout the song serves as a haunting reminder that the pursuit of success often has a cost, and that cost can be the lives of others.i think this so,

Pierre Clary


on Champs

There is no for

YOU'RE RICH NOT POOR

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