Welsh band Manic Street Preachers have been churning out everything from politically charged songs to rock anthems for about two decades now. They have had their fair share of controversies over the years as well. A couple of examples..... their appearance on Top of the Pops dressed in army regalia and a terrorist-style balaclava and their concerts in Cuba and their meeting up with Fidel Castro. They have always had a social consciousness to their lyrics, with Richey Edwards and Nicky Wire the main lyricists. It has been well documented that Richey Edwards was mentally unstable and developed an increasing habit of self harm that was starting to worry the other band members. He had even carved '4 REAL' on his arm with a razor blade during an NME interview to confirm their sincerity. I remember that issue, as I was a regular NME reader and I thought it was a bit wank. But, over time I realized he was for real and it wasn't some publicity stunt.... shit, it was quite a severe wound that needed seventeen stitches and really upset the interviewer at the time. Unfortunately, Richey's personal problems continued and he disappeared on the eve of a tour in February 1995 and has never been seen since. He was declared presumed dead in 2008. The Manic's 2009 album 'Journal For Plague Lovers' featured lyrics left behind by Richey Edwards.
"Motorcycle Emptiness" is from their debut album 'Generation Terrorists' and includes literary references, which was common within their songs.... this song being influenced by S.E.Hinton's 'Rumble Fish' book and also lifts a line or two from a poem 'Neon Loneliness'. As their musical career has progressed, this song is becoming more overlooked.... but, to me, it still stands out as one of their master works.
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