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.
Feeling Called Love
Wire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What is this crazy scene I can't quite tell no-how?
What is this feeling called love?
What is this crazy scene I don't understand no-how?
Maybe I should try it now
Or maybe I should be shy of it now-now-now-now-now-now
'Cause you know, you know that I can't explain it
Uh-huh, what is this feeling called love?
What is this crazy scene I can't work out no-how?
What is this feeling called love?
What is this crazy scene I don't understand no-how, new love
Gimme love
Gimme love (love, love, love)
Love-love-love, love
In "Feeling Called Love," Wire grapples with the mystery of love and the enigmatic emotions that come with it. The lyrics are simple and repetitive, conveying the confusion and uncertainty the singer feels towards love. They ask themselves and the listener what love really is, describing it as a "crazy scene" that they can't quite understand. The repeated refrain of "What is this feeling called love?" reinforces this confusion, as they desperately search for answers.
Despite the confusion and uncertainty, there is also a sense of desire and yearning in the lyrics. The singer acknowledges that they should either try love or be shy of it now, indicating that they are at a crossroads in their emotions. They want to experience love, but also fear the potential pain that could come with it. The line "you know that it's worth the pain of it" suggests that the singer understands the risks of love, but still believes it's worth pursuing.
Overall, "Feeling Called Love" captures the conflicted emotions that come with falling in love. The mystery and confusion are balanced with a sense of longing and desire, making for a complex exploration of the complex emotions tied to love.
Line by Line Meaning
What is this feeling called love?
The singer wonders about what love is and questions the baffling experience of it.
What is this crazy scene I can't quite tell no-how?
The singer is overwhelmed and cannot understand the chaotic and confusing nature of love.
What is this feeling called love?
The singer reiterates their curiosity about the name and concept of romantic love.
What is this crazy scene I don't understand no-how?
The singer emphasizes their inability to comprehend the inexplicable aspects of love.
Maybe I should try it now
The singer considers the idea of attempting, experiencing, or exploring the possibility of love.
Or maybe I should be shy of it now-now-now-now-now-now
The singer entertains the notion of avoiding or being hesitant towards love right now.
'Cause you know, you know that I can't explain it
The singer acknowledges that they cannot articulate or justify the feeling of love.
And then you know that it's worth the pain of it
The singer acknowledges the pain or risks associated with love, but believes that it is valuable or beneficial nonetheless.
Uh-huh, what is this feeling called love?
The singer repeats their questioning and perplexity regarding the concept of love.
What is this crazy scene I can't work out no-how?
The singer reiterates their difficulty in understanding the chaotic and inexplicable nature of love.
What is this feeling called love?
The singer repeats their initial inquiry about what love really is.
What is this crazy scene I don't understand no-how, new love
The singer emphasizes their confusion about the perplexing experience of falling in new love.
Gimme love
The singer expresses a desire or plea to receive love from another person.
Gimme love (love, love, love)
The singer repeatedly and emphatically expresses their desire for love.
Love-love-love, love
The singer once again repeats their yearning for love.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BRUCE CLIFFORD GILBERT, COLIN JOHN NEWMAN, GRAHAM LEWIS, ROBERT SELWYN GOTOBED
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