Wire's debut album, Pink Flag (1977), contains songs which are diverse in mood and style, but most use a minimalist punk approach, unorthodox structures, and several songs are under a minute in length; "Field Day For The Sundays" is only 28 seconds long.
Chairs Missing followed in 1978, and found Wire stepping back from the stark minimalism of Pink Flag, with longer, more atmospheric songs and synthesizer parts added by producer Mike Thorne. The experimentation was even more prominent on 154 (1979). Many of the songs had bassist Graham Lewis on lead vocals.
In 1979, creative differences pulled the band in different directions, leading to the Document and Eyewitness LP (1981), a recording of a performance that featured, almost exclusively, new material. The LP came packaged with an EP of a different performance of more new material. Some of these songs, along with others performed but not included on the album, were included on Colin Newman's post-Wire solo albums ("5/10", "We Meet Under Tables"), while others were released by Gilbert and Lewis' primary post-Wire outlet Dome ("And Then...", "Ritual View"). The band disbanded for the first time in 1980
Between 1981-85 Wire ceased recording and performing in favour of solo and non-Wire collaborative projects such as Dome, Cupol, Duet Emmo, and several Colin Newman solo efforts. In 1985, the group reformed as a "beat combo" (a joking reference to early 1960s beat music or even possibly beatniks), with greater use of electronic musical instruments. It released It's Beginning To And Back Again (IBTABA) in 1989, a "live" album of mostly re-worked versions of songs from The Ideal Copy and A Bell Is a Cup...Until It Is Struck, heavily re-arranged, edited, and remixed. A new song from the album, "Eardrum Buzz", became the band's biggest charting single.
Gotobed left the band in 1990, after the release of the album Manscape. After his departure, the band dropped one letter from its name, becoming "Wir" (still pronounced "wire"), and released The First Letter in 1991. Once again, the band disbanded in 1992 There followed a further period of solo recordings, during which Newman founded the Swim ~ label, and later Githead with his wife (ex-Minimal Compact bassist Malka Spigel), while Wire remained an occasional collaboration. It was not until 1999 that Wire again became a full-time entity.
With Gotobed back in the line-up (now using his birth name, Robert Grey), the group initially reworked much of their back catalogue for a performance at Royal Festival Hall on 26 February 2000. Wire's reception during a short tour of the US, and a number of UK gigs, convinced the band to continue. Two EPs and an album Send (2003) followed, as well as collaborations with stage designer Es Devlin and artists Jake and Dinos Chapman. In 2004 the band split once more.
In 2006, Wire's 1970s albums were re-released with original vinyl track listings. Rumours abounded of a renewal of activity to mark the 30th anniversary of the band's debut as a 4 piece and the re-release of Pink Flag in 2007. A third Read & Burn EP was released in November, 2007.
A full-length album of new material entitled Object 47 was released in July 2008. Bruce Gilbert was not involved in this recording, although according to Colin Newman, he did feature in a minimal capacity on the third Read and Burn EP. 2011 saw the release of the band's twelfth studio album Red Barked Tree.
A Serious of Snakes
Wire Lyrics
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Is that a paper I see in your hand?
Then a pause for a German phrase
"Nie weider nie weider, nie weider nie weider"
Never again, none of your lip
Why'tulip, why'tulip, why'pea brained earwig
Why'punk, why'silver tongued shnake
why'tulip, why'pea brained earwig
Why'punk, why'silver tongued snake
He's a genius in research, I simply fell in love, I've got your ZIP code?
Over there U.S.A., green turbaned angels annex the right bank
Baby, in a shambolic sideshow they abandoned the baby
The baby trained, baby returns, baby kills Mary and Joseph
Talk about laughing, I might have defeated cancer or so they say
Electrocuted, I was transformed into a foot soldier of the good general
Passionate for knights in the heart of ancient Persia
Fearless to go forth, fearless to adapt then blow to pieces
Please send your god my very best wishes
Does he still sing? Does he still fish?
Does he still help you on your days off?
Don't stopping that dripping, I prefer the old tortures
It's only when you stop that I feel it
When you lose the ship, it's like losing a part of you
I have a sense of my exposure, it's all on the neg.
I try to use 2 instead of 3, ah, but I have secrets
And there's a story in me, it starts
Dot, dot, dot, dot, dot, dot
The lyrics of Wire's song "A Serious of Snakes" is enigmatic and surrealist. The verses do not seem to follow a linear narrative, but rather seem fragmented, with a series of images and ideas juxtaposed together. The lyrics appear to be about the nature of communication, language, and identity. In the first verse, the singer notices a paper in someone's hand and hears a German phrase, "Nie weider" which translates to "Never again." This phrase is repeated later in the song, suggesting a theme of repetition and cyclical patterns.
The second verse concludes with the lines: "I'd rather make furniture than go to midnight mass." These lines can be interpreted as a rejection of religion and traditional forms of worship - a theme that is consistent throughout the song. The following verses continue with nonsensical phrases like "Why'tulip, why'tulip, why'pea brained earwig/Why'punk, why'silver tongued shnake," which can be seen as a criticism of language and communication. The lines "Does he still sing? Does he still fish?" suggest a sense of confusion or disorientation, as if the singer is trying to grasp onto something stable and consistent.
Overall, the lyrics of "A Serious of Snakes" offer a commentary on the chaotic and fragmented nature of human experience, and the difficulty of achieving stable modes of communication and identity. The repetition of phrases like "Never again" and "Why'tulip" reinforce the sense of cyclical patterns and disorientation.
Line by Line Meaning
It looks serious
The situation appears to be solemn and sincere
Is that a paper I see in your hand?
Do you have a document in your possession?
Then a pause for a German phrase, "Nie weider nie weider, nie weider nie weider"
A temporary halt in communication for the delivery of a German expression "Never again, never again, never again, never again"
Never again, none of your lip
I refuse to tolerate your impertinence or insolence anymore
Why'tulip, why'tulip, why'pea brained earwig
Why do you resemble a tulip or a pea-brained earwig? How can you act this way?
Why'punk, why'silver tongued shnake
Why do you behave like a punk or a smooth-talking snake?
I'd rather make furniture than go to midnight mass
I would prefer to construct furniture instead of attending late-night church service
He's a genius in research, I simply fell in love, I've got your ZIP code?
He excels in scientific inquiry, and I am smitten with him. Can I have your address?
Over there U.S.A., green turbaned angels annex the right bank
In the United States, green turban-wearing angels capture the east bank of a river
Baby, in a shambolic sideshow they abandoned the baby
A child was neglected during a chaotic and poorly-organized circus performance
The baby trained, baby returns, baby kills Mary and Joseph
The baby underwent training, came back, and murdered Mary and Joseph
Talk about laughing, I might have defeated cancer or so they say
Speaking about humor, I may have successfully battled cancer according to some reports
Electrocuted, I was transformed into a foot soldier of the good general
After being electrocuted, I turned into a soldier under the command of an honorable officer
Passionate for knights in the heart of ancient Persia
I have an intense affection for warriors in the central region of ancient Persia
Fearless to go forth, fearless to adapt then blow to pieces
Unafraid to venture out, unafraid to adjust, but then disintegrate
Please send your god my very best wishes
Please give my kindest regards to your deity
Does he still sing? Does he still fish?
Does your god still engage in singing and fishing?
Does he still help you on your days off?
Does your god still provide assistance during your breaks from work?
Don't stopping that dripping, I prefer the old tortures
Please do not discontinue that leaking sound, as I would rather experience traditional types of torment
It's only when you stop that I feel it
I do not perceive any sensations until you cease the action
When you lose the ship, it's like losing a part of you
When the vessel sinks or is taken away, you lose a crucial piece of yourself
I have a sense of my exposure, it's all on the neg.
I have a feeling that I am at risk, and I have all of the negatives to prove it
I try to use 2 instead of 3, ah, but I have secrets
I make an effort to use a pair instead of an extra in my calculations, but I harbor undisclosed information
And there's a story in me, it starts
Dot, dot, dot, dot, dot, dot
I have a tale within me, which commences with various periods
Lyrics ยฉ O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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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
YOU'RE RICH NOT POOR