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.
Do You Drive?
Wire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Down in the streets of Prague
I thought you were the kind I'd like
To chase me through the bog
And when you held me on the hill
You almost made me swoon
So now I gotta ask you
Why you freaked out at the moon
Tell me why do you know so much about wolves
You tell me that it's just because
But baby girl, you give me pause (Paws?)
But why do you know so much about wolves
I follow you around the town
I'm so hot on your trail
And girl, you know you're more to me
Than some sweet piece of tail
So take me to the discotheque
And we can shake our thangs
But baby when I kiss you
Can't you please pull in your fangs?
Tell me, why do you know so much about wolves?
Tell me why do you know so much about wolves
I love your walk, I love your way
You're a fox, like Michael J.
Why do you know so much about wolves?
Wolf girl,
My pretty four-pawed pet
If you really cared about me
You would've left me before we ever met
Wa-OOOOOOOOOOO
Why...
About wolves?
Why...
About wolves?
Why do you know so much about wolves?
Tell me why do you know so much about wolves
I love your walk, I love your way
Hey, you're a fox, like Michael J.
Why do you know so much about wolves?
Why do you know so much about
Why do you know so much about
Why do you know so much about wolves?
Why do you know so much about
Why do you know so much about
Why do you know so much about wolves?
Why?
Why?
Why?
Why?
Wolves?
Wolves?
Wolves!
Wolves
The lyrics to "Do You Drive?" by Wire can be interpreted as a playful and curious questioning of a person's knowledge and fascination with wolves. The song starts with the singer encountering someone in the streets of Prague and being captivated by their presence. They seem to be drawn to this person, imagining them chasing them through a "bog" (metaphorically representing the wild or mysterious aspects of life). The singer's feelings intensify when they are held on a hill, almost swooning with attraction.
However, the singer becomes curious and perplexed about why this person has so much knowledge about wolves. They directly ask why they know so much, suggesting that the fascination goes beyond a passing interest. The lyrics turn metaphorical, with the moon representing the person's deep understanding or connection to the animal. The singer wants to understand the reasoning behind this fascination, questioning if it is just a fleeting passion or something deeper.
The song continues with the singer following this person around, expressing their intense attraction. They appreciate the person's qualities, comparing them to a fox and even to Michael J. Fox, known for his charming and charismatic persona. Despite their affection, there is a request for the person to tone down their intensity, symbolized by "pulling in their fangs" when they kiss.
The song ends with a slight shift in tone, as the singer addresses the person directly and refers to them as their "pretty four-pawed pet." They suggest that if the person truly cared about them, they would have left before they ever met, hinting at a sense of potential danger or unpredictability associated with the person's knowledge and fascination with wolves.
Overall, "Do You Drive?" can be interpreted as an exploration of attraction and intrigue, with the metaphor of wolves representing a deeper understanding or connection to the wild and untamed aspects of life.
Line by Line Meaning
I saw you just the other day
I recently saw you in person
Down in the streets of Prague
In the city of Prague
I thought you were the kind I'd like
I believed you possessed the qualities I find attractive
To chase me through the bog
To engage in a thrilling pursuit through a muddy terrain
And when you held me on the hill
During the moment you embraced me on the elevated land
You almost made me swoon
You nearly caused me to faint with overwhelming emotions
So now I gotta ask you
Therefore, I must inquire from you
Why you freaked out at the moon
The reason behind your agitation in the presence of the moon
Tell me, why do you know so much about wolves?
Please share with me the reason for your extensive knowledge about wolves
Tell me why do you know so much about wolves
Reiterate the previous question regarding your familiarity with wolves
You tell me that it's just because
You claim that there is a simple explanation for it
But baby girl, you give me pause (Paws?)
However, my dear, your behavior makes me hesitant or bewildered
But why do you know so much about wolves
Nevertheless, I am still curious about your extensive knowledge regarding wolves
I follow you around the town
I constantly trail you throughout the city
I'm so hot on your trail
I am fervently pursuing you
And girl, you know you're more to me
And dear, you are of greater importance to me
Than some sweet piece of tail
Than being a mere object of desire
So take me to the discotheque
Therefore, accompany me to the nightclub
And we can shake our thangs
And together we can dance and move our bodies
But baby when I kiss you
However, my dear, when I engage in a romantic gesture with you
Can't you please pull in your fangs?
Would you mind retracting your metaphorical sharp teeth or aggressive behavior?
I love your walk, I love your way
I adore the way you walk and carry yourself
You're a fox, like Michael J.
You are attractive and alluring, akin to the actor Michael J. Fox
Wolf girl, my pretty four-pawed pet
Girl who is akin to a wolf, my beautiful companion who walks on four limbs
If you really cared about me
If you genuinely had feelings for me
You would've left me before we ever met
You would have ended our connection prior to our initial encounter
Wa-OOOOOOOOOOO
Indicating a howling sound
Why... About wolves?
Questioning the reason behind the focus on wolves
Why... About wolves?
Repeating the same question regarding the subject of wolves
Why do you know so much about wolves?
Seeking an explanation for the significant knowledge possessed about wolves
Tell me why do you know so much about wolves
Once again, request clarification regarding the extensive understanding of wolves
I love your walk, I love your way
I admire your manner of walking and behavior
Hey, you're a fox, like Michael J.
Hey, you are attractive, just like the actor Michael J. Fox
Why do you know so much about wolves?
Repeating the question, inquiring about the reasoning behind the vast knowledge about wolves
Why do you know so much about
Questioning the motive or purpose behind the extensive knowledge about
Why do you know so much about
Reiterating the question about the profound understanding of
Why do you know so much about wolves?
Seeking an explanation for the in-depth knowledge about wolves
Why?
Questioning the reason
Why?
Repeating the question
Why?
Asking for a justification
Why?
Continuing to inquire
Wolves?
Regarding the subject of wolves
Wolves?
Bringing attention to wolves once again
Wolves!
Voicing the word 'wolves' with emphasis
Wolves
Continuing to refer to wolves
Wolves
Repeating the reference to wolves
Wolves
Once again, mentioning wolves
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Casey Holford, Daoud Tyler-Ameen, David Heliotis, Phoebe Kreutz
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Haltech
Cable or Electronic? One has been around for ages and has plenty of supporters, the other claims to be better, quicker and more adaptable. In this episode of Tech Tuesday Scott gives you a brief overview of both systems and offers his opinion on this polarizing subject.
♔CrownCat♔
DBW sux
Phil Francoeur
@Atlas can you use brake fluid to clean a mass air flow sensor
Haltech
@Vodka Vision performance application of DBW differs greatly from OEM versions. Same throttle bodies and pedals, different control strategies. Give it another chance some time!
mothridith
You mentioned drive by wire cruise control how would a guy go about setting that up
bombhills notpeople
2:14 it took Ford at least a few years before they made a reliable one. Just like when they switched to coil on plugs (though that was bad boot design)
Nick Amarit
I prefer cable for its directness and simplicity.
Swapped from an engine with DBW back to an older one with cable, and it feels much much better.
Nick Amarit
@Pepe le Deux I guess I need to try some newer DBW setups to see if my opinion will change.
Pepe le Deux
the dbw was set up poorly. if you had dbw set up, you wouldnt be able to tell the difference
That Guy
After driving, and racing both styles... Cable 100%. nice, simple, easy, and a quick fix on the rare chance it fails.