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.
Red Barked Trees
Wire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Rid yourself of superstitions
Deploy a mask, get night time vision
Safety off, get in position
A mother's guilt, a daughter's pain
The father failed to take the blame
The search is on, in southern seas
A day of pain, of push and shove
A hidden strength in velvet gloves
Sky writing planes sketch oaths above
In graphic loops an act of love
Traders rampage, on the loose
Dealers howl and hurl abuse
The market growls it eats the weak
Buys children farms in busy streets
A privileged few, a charmed elite
Can slash and burn as they retreat
The search is on, in southern seas
To find the healing, red barked trees
The opening lyrics of Wire's song Red Barked Trees suggest a call to action against superstition and the importance of clear vision. The lines "Find yourself in opposition/Rid yourself of superstitions/Deploy a mask, get night time vision/Safety off, get in position" emphasize the need to move away from ignorance and embrace a clearer understanding of the world. The first verse is followed by a second stanza that describes a family dynamic where a father has failed to take responsibility for his actions, causing a mother and daughter to suffer. The solution to their dilemma is sought in the southern seas where red barked trees hold the key to healing. The imagery paints a vivid picture of a journey in search of a cure, suggesting that life's problems can be overcome with perseverance and a willingness to explore new avenues.
The third verse brings into focus the idea of hidden strength, hinting at the ability to overcome obstacles and challenges even when they are not immediately visible. Skywriting planes add a touch of romance and promise with their "sketch [of] oaths above" suggesting a sense of commitment and dedication to a cause. The fourth verse is perhaps the most controversial, describing traders and dealers who act with impunity, interested only in profit and not social responsibility. Children are seen as commodities and the market as a predator that preys on the weak. The song ends with a repetition of the second verse, emphasizing the search for healing and closure, suggesting that the quest is ongoing and not yet complete.
Line by Line Meaning
Find yourself in opposition
Choose to take the opposing side and stand out from the norm
Rid yourself of superstitions
Let go of irrational beliefs and strive towards thinking logically and clearly
Deploy a mask, get night time vision
Adopt a disguise to gain a new perspective and see things in a different light
Safety off, get in position
Be prepared to take action, even if it means putting yourself in harm's way
A mother's guilt, a daughter's pain
The consequences of one's actions can affect not only themselves but also their loved ones
The father failed to take the blame
One's refusal to take responsibility can cause pain and suffering for those around them
The search is on, in southern seas
The pursuit of finding a solution to a problem is ongoing and never-ending
To find the healing, red barked trees
A metaphorical quest for a cure or solution to a problem
A day of pain, of push and shove
A difficult day of struggles and conflicts
A hidden strength in velvet gloves
Despite appearing soft and gentle, there is strength and resilience underneath
Sky writing planes sketch oaths above
Symbolic promises and commitments made in grandiose ways
In graphic loops an act of love
An expression of affection and care done in a creative and artistic manner
Traders rampage, on the loose
The reckless behavior of those seeking wealth and power
Dealers howl and hurl abuse
Those who seek to profit at the expense of others display aggressive and abusive behavior
The market growls it eats the weak
The capitalist society often favors the strong and exploits the vulnerable
Buys children farms in busy streets
The dark reality of child labor and exploitation in modern times
A privileged few, a charmed elite
Those who have the most resources and power are often the ones who cause the most harm
Can slash and burn as they retreat
The powerful can destroy the environment and society while retreating to their own luxury and comfort
The search is on, in southern seas
The pursuit of finding a solution to a problem is ongoing and never-ending
To find the healing, red barked trees
A metaphorical quest for a cure or solution to a problem
Contributed by Amelia C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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