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.
Adore Your Island
Wire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It holds a fragile head in intensive care
Don't be so worried – you're the one who should be spared
You're one who should be spared
You're the one who should be spared
Don't be so worried – you're one who should be spared
First I say I love you, then you are silent
How I adore your island
How I adore your island
You're the one who should be spared
The opening line of "A hand that opens reveals much to a mind that's closed" seems to suggest that the singer is trying to encourage someone to be more open-minded. Perhaps this person is struggling with something and is refusing to consider other perspectives or solutions. The singer then talks about a "fragile head in intensive care" which could be a metaphor for the person's mental health, indicating that they need to be careful not to let their closed-mindedness cause further harm to themselves.
The second stanza seems to address a specific person - the one the singer loves. The line "Don't be so worried - you're the one who should be spared" could be interpreted as the singer trying to protect their loved one from the negative emotions that come with loving someone who may not feel the same way. They urge their loved one not to be embarrassed or in pain, and express frustration at the silence that follows their declarations of love. However, despite all of this, the singer still adores the person - their island - indicating that their love is true and steadfast, even if it is not always reciprocated.
Overall, the lyrics to "Adore Your Island" seem to express a deep and complex love that is not always straightforward or easy. There is a sense of frustration and longing, but also a desire to protect and care for the object of the singer's affections. The use of metaphors and abstract language adds depth and complexity to the emotions being expressed, making the song a compelling piece of poetry as well as a beautiful piece of music.
Line by Line Meaning
A hand that opens reveals much to a mind that's closed
When someone becomes vulnerable, it provides valuable insights to those who refuse to listen.
It holds a fragile head in intensive care
The person who is vulnerable needs protection and care.
Don't be so worried – you're the one who should be spared
The person who needs protection should not have to worry, the responsibility should fall on others.
You're one who should be spared
Emphasizing that the person who needs protection should not have to bear the burden of worry.
Don't be so worried – you're one who should be spared
Reiteration of the preceding lines, highlighting the artist's concern and desire to protect the vulnerable person.
The embarrassment, the pain, the need – it's always the same
The cycle of vulnerability and protection is repetitive and unforgiving, characterized by shame, suffering, and dependency.
First I say I love you, then you are silent
Despite the singer's profession of love, they are met with silence from the person who needs protection and may be unable to respond due to their fragile state.
How I adore your island
The vulnerable person's inner world is beautiful and captivating to the artist, who wishes to provide safe harbor and care for them.
How I adore your island
Repetition of the preceding line, emphasizing the artist's desire to protect and care for the vulnerable person.
Contributed by Christopher W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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