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.
Men 2nd
Wire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We're crossing the IDL
Becalmed where no creature lives
Lost, forsaken, cursed
Holed below the water line
A shift in the plimsoll line
Women and children first
Hysterical, no humour
Sabotage of a rumour
Captain-less and captionless
Injury, hunger, thirst
Reptile, prehensile
Servile, editorial
Gentile, fatal
The lyrics to Wire's song Men 2nd have a nautical theme, and they seem to be describing a crew that is adrift on the open sea, facing various challenges and dangers. The phrase "sailing under a false flag" refers to a common tactic used by ships to deceive their enemies, by flying a flag that does not represent their true allegiance. This sets the tone for a sense of uncertainty and deception, as if the crew is not entirely sure of who or what they are fighting for. The first line also introduces the concept of crossing the International Date Line (IDL), which could symbolize a shift in perception or a journey into the unknown.
The second verse describes the ship as "becalmed where no creature lives", implying that the situation is dire and potentially hopeless. The crew is "lost, forsaken, cursed", suggesting that they have been abandoned by their leaders or destiny. The use of the term "plimsoll line" refers to the marking on a ship's hull that indicates the maximum depth to which it can be safely loaded, and a shift in this line would indicate that the ship is in danger of sinking. The phrase "women and children first" is a well-known maritime protocol for lifeboat evacuation during a crisis, but in this context it feels like a cruel mockery.
The final verse is a series of surreal phrases that sound like they are pulled from different contexts, but all contain elements of subservience and mortality. "Reptile, prehensile" invokes the image of a serpent, which could represent treachery or temptation. "Servile, editorial" might suggest a lack of free will or the manipulation of information. "Gentile, fatal" could be read as a play on words, combining "gentle" and "fatal" to suggest a paradoxical form of destruction. Overall, these lyrics create a haunting and unsettling atmosphere that hints at deeper psychological or existential themes.
Line by Line Meaning
Sailing under a false flag
We are hiding our true intentions and appearing as something or someone we are not
We're crossing the IDL
We are moving across the International Date Line, essentially into a new phase or chapter
Becalmed where no creature lives
We are stagnating in a desolate location devoid of all forms of life
Lost, forsaken, cursed
We are feeling completely abandoned and condemned, with no hope or relief in sight
Holed below the water line
There is significant damage below the waterline, putting us in a dangerous situation
A shift in the plimsoll line
The water level has changed on the ship, indicating a potential for sinking
Pumps in the engine room
We are frantically trying to remove the water in order to prevent the ship from sinking
Women and children first
Those who are most vulnerable should be rescued and prioritized above others
Hysterical, no humour
We are panicking and not finding anything amusing or lighthearted about the situation
Sabotage of a rumour
We are deliberately spreading false information to cause chaos and confusion
Captain-less and captionless
We are without a leader or any clear direction, causing even more chaos and uncertainty
Injury, hunger, thirst
We are suffering from physical ailments and lack of basic necessities
Reptile, prehensile
There is a sense of animalistic fear and aggression, with a focus on survival
Servile, editorial
There is a sense of blindly following orders or authority, and a disdain for independent thought or free speech
Gentile, fatal
There is a sense of civility or refinement, but it is ultimately leading to destruction and death
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: 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