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.
Eels Sang
Wire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Main mast red, bliss nurse bin liner, Heidi nil and eels sang (lino)
Pagen hen coin, working yen, our kid was in West China
Simon cow pink note E-minor, Heidi nil and eels sang (lino)
No stinking Butlin’s Ian, playing cupid an angina
i.e. brine, night sown too inky, Heidi nil and eels sang (lino)
A pair of Stewart Graingers, henna brought back the old timer
School mint tea, sackcloth inside her, Heidi nil and eels sang (lino)
Miss Soul a poignant red, Bach wrote songs in Asia Minor
Handy lion switch sale of panther, Heidi nil and eels sang (lino)
Wire's song "Eels Sang" is a perfect example of a song whose meaning is almost impossible to decipher. The lyrics are mostly nonsensical and consist of seemingly unrelated phrases and words. However, the song's title itself might provide some insight into its significance, as it suggests that eels, creatures often associated with mysteries, secrets, and hidden knowledge, play an important role in the narrative.
The lyrics of the first verse describe a surreal scene, full of seemingly disjointed images. A robin's bad air spin might mean anything, but the mention of Courrèges as its designer might suggest a fashion-related context. The "main mast red" and "bliss nurse bin liner" are equally cryptic and nonsensical, and the line "Heidi nil and eels sang" further adds to the confusion. The second verse follows a similar pattern, with references to "Pagen hen coin" and "working yen" being particularly difficult to interpret. The third verse includes a reference to Cupid and angina, which suggests a medical or romantic theme, but the rest of the lines are equally puzzling. The fourth verse similarly includes references to Stewart Graingers, henna, and School mint tea, none of which seem to have any connection.
Overall, the meaning of the song is open to interpretation. It might be a surrealistic exploration of language and imagery, without any particular narrative. Alternatively, it could be a commentary on consumer culture, fashion, or popular culture, with the use of brand names and cultural references serving as a criticism of the superficiality of modern life. The mention of eels might suggest a deeper, more mysterious meaning, but it's difficult to say what that might be.
Line by Line Meaning
A robin’s bad air spin, Courrèges was its designer
The robin's flight was erratic and unsettling, its movements reminding the singer of a particular fashion designer. The two seemingly unrelated concepts are brought together to create a unique image.
Main mast red, bliss nurse bin liner, Heidi nil and eels sang (lino)
The red mast of a ship is compared to the color of a nurse's uniform, invoking a sense of care and comfort. The phrase 'bliss nurse bin liner' is unclear and possibly nonsensical, adding to the surreal nature of the lyrics. 'Heidi nil and eels sang' may be a repeated nonsensical phrase or reference that ties the song together.
Pagen hen coin, working yen, our kid was in West China
The first half of the line appears to be gibberish, while the second half provides context by mentioning a specific geographic location. The line may be meant to represent a sense of confusion or disorientation in the singer's mind.
Simon cow pink note E-minor, Heidi nil and eels sang (lino)
The mention of Simon Cowell and a specific musical note creates a pop culture reference that contrasts with the abstract and nonsensical parts of the song. Again, 'Heidi nil and eels sang' may be a repeated phrase that holds some significance.
No stinking Butlin’s Ian, playing cupid an angina
The mention of a specific name adds a touch of realism to the otherwise abstract lyrics. The phrase 'playing cupid an angina' is unclear in meaning but may be a reference to the idea of love being painful or difficult.
i.e. brine, night sown too inky, Heidi nil and eels sang (lino)
This line contains a list of seemingly unrelated phrases that create a disorienting effect on the listener. Once again, 'Heidi nil and eels sang' is repeated, hinting at some underlying significance.
A pair of Stewart Graingers, henna brought back the old timer
Stewart Grainger was a famous actor from the mid-20th century, and 'a pair of Stewart Graingers' may be a colorful way of describing a pair of shoes or other object. The mention of henna and an 'old timer' creates an image of tradition and the past.
School mint tea, sackcloth inside her, Heidi nil and eels sang (lino)
The specific mention of 'school mint tea' creates a sensory image in the listener's mind, while 'sackcloth inside her' may represent feelings of discomfort or unease. 'Heidi nil and eels sang' is repeated once more, creating a sense of recurring themes in the song.
Miss Soul a poignant red, Bach wrote songs in Asia Minor
The mention of 'Miss Soul' and the color 'poignant red' may be a reference to a specific person or idea. 'Bach wrote songs in Asia Minor' is a straightforward statement that contrasts with the other abstract elements of the song.
Handy lion switch sale of panther, Heidi nil and eels sang (lino)
The final line of the song contains a series of images that once again appear to be unrelated. 'Handy lion switch sale of panther' is particularly nonsensical, while 'Heidi nil and eels sang' is repeated yet again.
Contributed by Jacob E. 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