The band began in 2010, initially as a solo project of Ellie Rowsell, with the name taken from a short story by Angela Carter. She was joined by guitarist Joff Oddie and later by Joel Amey and Theo Ellis. They released a self-titled EP, Wolf Alice in 2012 as well as a single called "Leaving You" which gained airplay from BBC Radio 1 and featured in NME's 'Radar' section.
They then toured with Peace, recorded a session for Huw Stephens' Radio 1 show in January, and released their first physical single "Fluffy" in February 2013 on the Chess Club label. Their second single "Bros", released in May, is about friendship and is one of the first songs Rowsell wrote and the band usually played it during their early stages.
2017–2020: Visions of a Life, Mercury Prize Win
In June 2017, Wolf Alice released the lead single "Yuk Foo" off their second studio album, Visions of a Life. They released three more singles, "Don't Delete the Kisses", "Beautifully Unconventional", and "Heavenward", before the release of their album on 28 September. In 2018, they also released "Formidable Cool", "Sadboy" and "Space & Time" as singles from the album.
In September 2018, the band won the Mercury Prize for their album Visions of a Life
2021–present: Blue Weekend
On 15 February 2021, the band's website was updated to show a looping video of an eye, with the heading "The Last Man on Earth". On 22 February 2021, the band announced that their single "The Last Man on Earth" would be released on 24 February 2021, and would debut on Annie Mac's show on BBC Radio 1. The release of the single was backed by the announcement of their third studio album, Blue Weekend, which was released on 4 June 2021. The second single from the album, "Smile", was released on 20 April 2021.
Blue Weekend received widespread critical acclaim, and was nominated for the 2021 Mercury Prize. On release, music publication The Forty-Five called Blue Weekend "a ballsy idyll of feeling: the sound of a band satisfying themselves rather than proving themselves, and completely filling the space they’ve carved out over the years."
Wolf Alice won the 2022 Brit Award for Group of the Year.
On October 29th 2021, the band released Blue Weekend: Tour Deluxe which includes four live versions of tracks from the album ('Smile', 'How Can I Make it OK', 'Safe From Heartbreak', and 'The Last Man on Earth') as well as a live cover of 'Bobby' by Alex G.
On 5 May 2022, the band released a lullaby version of "The Last Man on Earth" as a single and announced Blue Lullaby, an EP featuring reworked lullaby versions of five tracks from Blue Weekend, which was subsequently released on 24 June 2022. During the summer of 2022, the band played 17 shows supporting Harry Styles' Love On Tour, the first date in Hamburg on the 26th of June and the last show in Lisbon on the 31st of July.
Official site
You're A Germ
Wolf Alice Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To pick her up from school
He likes her 'cause she's pure
She likes him 'cause she's heard he's cool
You're a germ, twist my insides
You're a germ, we hear the fight
What were you before him? (eyes wide, eyes wide)
Makes me squirm, twist my insides
Makes me squirm
We hear the (one-two-three-four-five-six-seven!)
You ain't going to heaven (eyes wide, eyes wide)
'Cause I'm dragging you down to hell (eyes wide, eyes wide)
Where's mom and dad so you can tell them (eyes wide, eyes wide)
You're a dodgey fucker as well? (eyes wide, eyes wide)
George, he takes to the mic
Plays the same songs every year
His leather looks pretty cheap
And the clock gives some kind of fear
You're a creep, twist my insides
You're a creep
We hear the (one-two-three-four-five-six-seven!)
You ain't going to heaven (eyes wide, eyes wide)
'Cause I'm dragging you down to hell (eyes wide, eyes wide)
Where's mom and dad so you can tell them (eyes wide, eyes wide)
You're a dodgey fucker as well? (eyes wide, eyes wide)
You ain't going to heaven (eyes wide, eyes wide)
'Cause I'm dragging you down to hell (eyes wide, eyes wide)
Where's mom and dad so you can tell them (eyes wide, eyes wide)
Tell them you're a dodgey fucker as well, yes you are (eyes wide, eyes wide)
The song "You're A Germ" by Wolf Alice tells a story of a toxic and suffocating relationship between two people that is marked by codependence and self-loathing. The opening lyrics describe George picking up the girl on his bike from school, and the exchange between them is based purely on physical attraction and superficial reasons. The chorus is a repetition of the phrase "You're a germ", which is a metaphor for the negative emotions and thoughts within the singer that are triggered by the other person. The second verse mentions George's musical aspirations and his lack of originality, which further emphasizes the theme of stagnation and being stuck in a rut. The chorus is sung again, with more intensity and aggression, as the singer becomes more desperate to break away from the other person's influence.
The bridge of the song contains a series of exclamations and accusations, as the singer lashes out at the other person and reveals their own insecurities. The lines "You ain't going to heaven / 'Cause I'm dragging you down to hell" suggest a desire for revenge and a belief that both parties are equally guilty of causing pain. The final repetition of the chorus is even more intense, with the addition of the phrase "dodgy fucker" and the use of "eyes wide" to indicate a sense of disbelief.
Overall, "You're A Germ" is a deeply personal and emotionally charged song that explores the darker aspects of human relationships. It is driven by a sense of frustration and a yearning for freedom from toxicity and negativity.
Line by Line Meaning
George, he rides a bike
George rides a bike to school to pick up the girl mentioned in the next line.
To pick her up from school
George goes to school to pick up the girl mentioned in the previous line.
He likes her 'cause she's pure
George likes the girl because she is innocent and untainted.
She likes him 'cause she's heard he's cool
The girl likes George because she has heard he is popular and well-liked.
You're a germ, twist my insides
The person being addressed is compared to a germ, causing the artist to feel disgusted and sick inside.
You're a germ, we hear the fight
The person being addressed is still compared to a germ, and the singer and others can hear the person's altercation or quarrel.
This is not exploring, when you are dead inside
The situation or relationship being experienced is not exploratory or exciting when one is emotionally dead inside.
What were you before him? (eyes wide, eyes wide)
The artist questions what the person's life was like before their current situation, emphasizing the shock or disbelief they feel. The 'eyes wide' may indicate their wide-eyed expression of surprise or shock.
Makes me squirm, twist my insides
The artist is made uncomfortable and feels sick inside due to the actions or behavior of the person addressed.
We hear the (one-two-three-four-five-six-seven!)
The artist and others can hear a fight or conflict taking place.
You ain't going to heaven (eyes wide, eyes wide)
The person addressed is being told that they will not go to heaven. The 'eyes wide' may indicate the shock or disbelief the singer feels, or may be emphasized in the same way as the previous occurrence of this line.
'Cause I'm dragging you down to hell (eyes wide, eyes wide)
The artist proclaims that they will personally ensure the addressed person will go to hell. The 'eyes wide' again may indicate the artist's emphasis or shock.
Where's mom and dad so you can tell them (eyes wide, eyes wide)
The singer is asking the addressed person where their parents are, so they can tell them that the person is a 'dodgy fucker' (a dishonest or untrustworthy person)
You're a dodgey fucker as well? (eyes wide, eyes wide)
The singer reiterates that the addressed person is a dishonest or untrustworthy person. The repetition of 'eyes wide' may again indicate the singer's disbelief or shock.
George, he takes to the mic
George is now holding a microphone, perhaps indicating he is about to perform.
Plays the same songs every year
George performs the same songs each time he plays, not offering any new material.
His leather looks pretty cheap
The leather that George wears looks like it is low quality and not very expensive.
And the clock gives some kind of fear
An ominous or uncomfortable feeling is created by the sound of a clock, causing fear or unease.
You're a creep, twist my insides
The person addressed is now called a 'creep,' causing the singer to feel uncomfortable and sick inside.
You ain't going to heaven (eyes wide, eyes wide)
The artist again proclaims that the addressed person will not go to heaven. The 'eyes wide' may again indicate the artist's disbelief, emphasize the statement, or both.
'Cause I'm dragging you down to hell (eyes wide, eyes wide)
The artist reiterates their intention to personally ensure the addressed person goes to hell. Again, the 'eyes wide' may emphasize the statement or indicate the artist's disbelief.
Where's mom and dad so you can tell them (eyes wide, eyes wide)
The artist again asks where the addressed person's parents are, so they can be told about the person's bad behavior.
Tell them you're a dodgey fucker as well, yes you are (eyes wide, eyes wide)
The singer tells the addressed person to admit to their dishonest actions, and emphasizes that the person's parents will not be pleased with their behavior. The repetition of 'eyes wide' may once again indicate the singer's disbelief or emphasize the statement.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Ellen Ciara Rowsell, Joel Donald Scott Amey, Jonathan David Oddie, Theodore Joseph Ellis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Diego Rivera
Am I the only one who thought this music video was hilarious? Lol this was so accurate in comparison to older horror movies. I'm sure the band loves watching this. These guys are freaking awesome.
John Beckman
Between this and the vids for Mourning Lisa Smile and Smile, they're having way too much fun.
Kyra Quinn
No lol
Misha Tomskovich
This band cross many genres. So talented...
M J
This band... I just love this band.
bardo
I love this. It's so much fun to sing
bardo
I like to sing all the parts
bardo
Mind you I love all the wa songs ☺️
Skye Rayne
This song was so awesome to see live. I saw them perform at an outdoor concert in Utah while it was storming super hard Ellie's hair was blowing in the wind and it was just such an awesome experience ughhh please take me back
chisheen
Great band.....keeps my faith in music