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.
I Am The Fly
Wire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Over your window you think I'm confused
I'm waiting for the divergent wasp
To complete my current ruse
You use a plate-glass screen
To protect my chosen target
But there's an air-pellet hole
I can crawl through to you
I can spread more disease
Than the fleas which nibble away
At your window display
Yes, I am the fly in the ointment
I shake you down to say please
As you accept the next dose of disease
I am the fly, I am the fly, I am the fly, I am the fly
Fly in the, fly in the ointment
I am the fly, I am the fly, I am the fly, I am the fly
Fly in the, fly in the ointment
I am the fly, I am the fly, I am the fly, I am the fly
Fly in the, fly in the ointment
Yes, I am the fly, I am the fly, I am the fly, I am the fly
Fly in the, fly in the ointment
I am the fly, I am the fly, I am the fly, I am the fly
Fly in the, fly in the ointment
Yes, I am the fly, I am the fly, I am the fly, I am the fly
Fly in the, fly in the ointment
I am the fly
The song "I Am The Fly" by Wire utilizes the metaphor of a fly to express a sense of infiltrating and disrupting the status quo. The singer is described as crawling over a window and waiting for a wasp to complete their "current ruse," suggesting a sort of covert operation or plan. The singer acknowledges the protective measures used against them but also seems to have found a way to bypass them. The repeated phrase "I am the fly in the ointment" serves as a sort of rallying cry or declaration of power, with the singer claiming to have the ability to spread more disease than even fleas. The use of insects as metaphors for disruption and contagion creates a sense of unease and discomfort, emphasizing the message of the song.
Overall, "I Am The Fly" can be interpreted as a comment on the power dynamics of society and the idea that even the smallest and seemingly insignificant individual can have a significant impact. The lyrics suggest a desire for change and a willingness to disrupt the current systems in place.
Line by Line Meaning
Crawling
Moving slowly and stealthily
Over your window you think I'm confused
I am crawling on your window and you may think I am lost or unsure, but I am here with a specific motive
I'm waiting for the divergent wasp
I am waiting for another insect to arrive, which will allow me to carry out my plan
To complete my current ruse
The wasp will be the final piece of my plan, which is already in motion
You use a plate-glass screen
You have put up a barrier to prevent my entry
To protect my chosen target
The screen is there to protect something or someone that I am targeting
But there's an air-pellet hole
There is a small opening in the screen, which I can use to gain entry
I can crawl through to you
I will use this opening to get to my intended target
I am the fly in the ointment
I am the unwanted and disruptive element in your plans
I can spread more disease
My presence and actions can cause more harm than anyone may realize
Than the fleas which nibble away
My impact is greater than that of other pests, like fleas
At your window display
You may have something that you are showing off, but my presence can ruin it
Yes, I am the fly in the ointment
I am the disruptive force that is causing problems for you
I shake you down to say please
I am causing you stress and discomfort, and using this to manipulate you
As you accept the next dose of disease
Until you get rid of me, you will continue to face the negative consequences of my presence
Fly in the, fly in the ointment
I am the problem that you are struggling to deal with
I am the fly
I am the insect causing the trouble
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: COLIN NEWMAN, GRAHAM LEWIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@wherestynan
I went to a' regular disco ' in 1978 and one of my mates got the DJ to play this and we all danced in the style that was associated with the record . A Massive fight broke out as the Bee Gees loving majority took offence to us and it ended up in a near riot.Great days
@jjdecani
Love it. I was 18 in 1977, and back then the war really was between the cool, smug, disco crowd and the snotty punks. I was very happy to be in the latter group. God, how I hated the cool disco crowd.
@batgurrl
jjdecani I lived in Bensonhurst Brooklyn were Saturday night sever took place so I was surrounded by idiot disco lovers
@Kaesewicht
what was that style?
@pomtiogablue
..this is heartwarming
@cyclingseagull
That sounds like London. In the north punks and disco lovers lived side by side in harmony.
@linkinparkrulz2275
My brother committed suicide last weekend by overdosing on something. He was found with headphones on, presumably listening to something. This is his youtube account. He made a playlist containing 6 songs that was edited the day he passed. This is one of the 6 songs. With the method he used, he was dead after about 30 minutes, probably unconscious around 12 minutes. I like to think that it was peaceful for him with his music on. I love you Myles, I'll miss you everyday for the rest of my life....
@andygriff4338
Condolances
@psmiddx2096
Sorry to hear that.
@JulesN580
Man do l feel for you. I also lost my brother to suicide. I think of him when l listen to his favourite tunes. Take care.