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.
Fragile
Wire Lyrics
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The light too bright, let me bury my heart
Filter emotions of green, cowardice gives blue
A restricted view, let me open my heart
I have a fleeting love
Searching when it lands
Fragile
Fragile, fragile, fragile
You eat my energy, give me more rope
Nail in the wall, let me hang my heart
Hang my heart
I have a fleeting love
Searching when it lands
Fragile
Needing precious hands
Fragile, fragile, fragile
The lyrics to Wire's song Fragile offer a glimpse into the emotional turmoil and vulnerability that can come from romantic relationships. The song starts with the phrase "Tears fall in slivers, you broke my shades," painting a picture of someone who is struggling to contain their emotions, likely due to the actions of their partner. The line "The light too bright, let me bury my heart" speaks to the idea of being overwhelmed by the intensity of a relationship and needing space to protect oneself.
As the song continues, the lyrics explore the feeling of being trapped in a relationship that doesn't feel fulfilling or right, with "Filter emotions of green, cowardice gives blue, a restricted view" seemingly referring to the difficulty of seeing clearly and making decisions when one is clouded by fear and uncertainty. The refrain of "Fragile, fragile, fragile" hammers home the idea that the singer's emotional state is delicate and in need of care.
The final verse of the song shifts focus slightly, with the lines "You eat my energy, give me more rope, nail in the wall, let me hang my heart" hinting at the idea of being trapped in a cycle of giving too much to a partner who doesn't appreciate or reciprocate it. The repetition of the phrase "Hang my heart" underscores the desperation and need for release.
Line by Line Meaning
Tears fall in slivers, you broke my shades
My tears flow in thin, sharp pieces as you shattered the protective barrier around my heart
The light too bright, let me bury my heart
The intensity of emotions blinds me, forcing me to retreat and hide my feelings
Filter emotions of green, cowardice gives blue
I suppress my envy and jealousy, but my fear keeps creeping in and tainting my true feelings
A restricted view, let me open my heart
I have a limited perception of the world due to my emotional blockades, but I want to break free and express myself fully
You eat my energy, give me more rope
You drain my vitality and leave me exhausted, yet I keep giving you more control over my emotions
Nail in the wall, let me hang my heart
I want to expose my raw vulnerability by putting my heart on full display, even if it means risking heartbreak
I have a fleeting love
My love is transient and hard to grasp
Searching when it lands
I am constantly on the move, searching for love that will feel right
Fragile
Sensitive and breakable
Needing precious hands
My love requires gentle treatment and care to survive
Fragile, fragile, fragile
Repeating my vulnerable condition for emphasis
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BRUCE GILBERT, ROBERT GOTOBED, GRAHAM LEWIS, COLIN NEWMAN
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