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.
Primed And Ready
Wire Lyrics
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Are you scouting the trail?
Are you opening the door?
Are you female or male?
Are you groomed for success?
Are you expecting to fail?
Are you digging in deep?
Do you intend to prevail?
A three hundred and sixty?
First class degree deal?
Are you primed?
Are you ready?
Re-inventing the wheel?
One way or another
Are you ready to bail?
Are you muddled or puzzled?
And all that it entails
Are you feeling quite smart?
Are you hiding your tail?
Are you facing extinction?
Are you under full sail?
A three hundred and sixty?
First class degree deal?
Are you primed?
Are you ready?
Re-inventing the wheel?
A three hundred and sixty?
First class degree deal?
Are you primed?
Are you ready?
Re-inventing the wheel?
The lyrics of Wire's song "Primed And Ready" delve deep into themes of self-reflection, ambition, and the constant pursuit of success in a ever-changing world. The opening lines pose a series of questions that provoke introspection and prompt the listener to evaluate their own preparedness and determination. The repeated questioning of gender, expectation of success versus fear of failure, and the desire to triumph over challenges all contribute to a sense of uncertainty and determination in the face of adversity.
The lyric "Are you scoping the future? Are you scouting the trail?" suggests a sense of foresight and purposeful planning, while also hinting at the need to adapt and navigate the unknown. The references to being "groomed for success" and "expecting to fail" touch upon the dualities and contradictions of ambition, highlighting the internal struggles and external pressures that individuals may face in their pursuits.
The imagery of a "three hundred and sixty" and a "first class degree deal" evokes notions of full-circle completion and academic achievement, respectively. These references add layers of sophistication and achievement to the lyrics, symbolizing a thorough and well-rounded approach to one's goals. The repeated refrain of being "primed" and "ready" underscores a sense of readiness and determination to overcome obstacles and challenges, while also hinting at the need for constant reinvention and innovation in order to succeed.
Overall, the song's lyrics paint a complex and thought-provoking picture of the human experience, blending themes of uncertainty, ambition, determination, and self-assessment. Through its probing questions and evocative imagery, "Primed And Ready" invites listeners to reflect on their own goals, struggles, and aspirations, urging them to stay focused, resilient, and always prepared to reinvent themselves in the pursuit of success.
Line by Line Meaning
Are you scoping the future?
Are you envisioning what lies ahead?
Are you scouting the trail?
Are you exploring the path forward?
Are you opening the door?
Are you creating opportunities for yourself?
Are you female or male?
Are you ready to embrace your identity?
Are you groomed for success?
Are you prepared for achievement?
Are you expecting to fail?
Are you bracing for potential setbacks?
Are you digging in deep?
Are you putting in the necessary effort?
Do you intend to prevail?
Do you have the determination to succeed?
A three hundred and sixty? First class degree deal?
Are you pursuing excellence and innovation?
Are you primed? Are you ready? Re-inventing the wheel?
Are you prepared to innovate and make your mark?
One way or another Are you ready to bail?
Are you prepared to move on if needed?
Are you muddled or puzzled? And all that it entails
Are you confused or uncertain about your circumstances?
Are you feeling quite smart? Are you hiding your tail?
Are you confident in your abilities or concealing your flaws?
Are you facing extinction? Are you under full sail?
Are you confronting challenges or navigating smoothly through them?
Lyrics © Mute Song Limited
Written by: Colin Newman, Graham Lewis, Matthew Simms, Robert Grey
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mark Ainsworth
I am 60 and I am sure the 20 year old me wouldn't have suspected that in 40 years time I would still have been looking forward with the same excitement to a new Wire album...but I am being sucked in again.........the first two tracks are superb
Charlie Newman
I'm 78 and also look forward to each new Wire album as I have every one since I first bought Pink Flag in '77.
My son is as much a Wire fan as I am.
Robert Escher
I didn't even KNOW about this band until I was in my 40s... Except for one song "Ear Drum Buzz".
Rutlefan
So far so great with this new album.
Chuck Vess
Great song from a timeless band.
les127
another great song,looking forward to watching them in leeds end of this month
Overthought Musik
For a hot second, I thought Wire was covering Fade to Grey.
Luís Barbosa
f-me! they sound fresh and great. it´s 1977 all over again.
IlRincreTeam
So good!
rudy gerdeman
This is gold. Should be a hit single.