Dot Dash
Wire Lyrics
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Getting thicker,
One drops out,
Becoming quicker,
Lights grow dim,
They glimmer,
The chances smaller,
The odds are slimmer.
Dot Dash (X 6),
Dip Flash (X 6),
Don't Crash (X 12).
Loosening my grip,
Be sure to tread carefully,
Steering a passage,
Finding a line,
Cross to comply,
Crossply,
Progressive acceleration,
Skidding but the expression,
Remains pan,
Radiators for all,
Radial,
I'm still in control,
Understand a hand,
A hand moved me.
Dot Dash (X 6),
Dip Flash (X 6),
Don't Crash (X 6).
Driven by self propulsion,
Turning right across the stream,
The risks increased,
With sustained leisure,
Courting death,
So ill at ease.
Dot Dash (X 6),
Dip Flash (X 6),
Don't Crash (X 6).
The lyrics to Wire's song Dot Dash, are somewhat abstract and open to interpretation. The opening lines create a sense of urgency and confusion as the mist thickens and the chances of success become slimmer. The repetition of the phrases "Dot Dash," "Dip Flash," and "Don't Crash," creates a sense of urgency and an almost mechanical quality, as if the singer is reciting instructions for some type of activity or vehicle operation.
As the song progresses, the imagery becomes more focused on driving or steering, and the singer seems to be trying to navigate a dangerous situation, perhaps driving recklessly or experiencing some type of crisis. The line "Loosening my grip" suggests a loss of control, while "skidding but the expression remains pan" implies that the singer is trying to maintain composure despite the danger. The final verse seems to suggest that the risk-taking behavior is somehow self-driven, as the singer describes being "driven by self-propulsion" and "courting death."
Overall, the song creates a sense of tension and danger, as well as a sense of confusion and urgency. It's unclear exactly what the singer is referring to, but the language and imagery create a vivid impression of a dangerous situation that requires quick thinking and decisive action.
Line by Line Meaning
Mist closing in,
The environment around me is getting more difficult to see in.
Getting thicker,
The mist is becoming even harder to navigate through.
One drops out,
Someone or something has been left behind or lost due to the difficult terrain.
Becoming quicker,
I am moving faster due to the added pressure.
Lights grow dim,
It's getting harder to see anything around me.
They glimmer,
The only visible lights ahead are small and flickering.
The chances smaller,
I'm facing greater challenges and the likelihood of success is decreasing.
The odds are slimmer.
The chances of making it through this situation are not looking good.
Loosening my grip,
I'm struggling and losing control of the situation.
Be sure to tread carefully,
My only option is to proceed with caution.
Steering a passage,
I'm carefully navigating through this difficult situation.
Finding a line,
I'm trying to find the best course of action.
Cross to comply,
I'm doing what is necessary to make it through.
Crossply,
I'm using the best available resources to succeed.
Progressive acceleration,
I'm taking more risks to move faster and succeed.
Skidding but the expression,
I may be struggling but I'm remaining determined.
Remains pan,
I'm doing my best to remain calm.
Radiators for all,
I'm using all available resources to succeed.
Radial,
My approach is spreading outward.
I'm still in control,
I'm doing my best to maintain control of the situation.
Understand a hand,
I'm appreciative of any help I can get.
A hand moved me.
I'm grateful for any assistance that helped me succeed.
Driven by self propulsion,
I am motivating myself to succeed.
Turning right across the stream,
I am going against the flow and taking risks.
The risks increased,
I am taking more chances to succeed.
With sustained leisure,
I am taking a calculated risk and not rushing.
Courting death,
I'm putting myself in danger to succeed.
So ill at ease.
I'm nervous and worried but still trying to succeed.
Dot Dash (X 6),
I need to proceed with caution.
Dip Flash (X 6),
I need to remain alert and remain focused.
Don't Crash (X 6).
I need to take calculated risks and succeed without failure.
Lyrics © CARLIN AMERICA INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: COLIN JOHN NEWMAN, GRAHAM LEWIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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