“Outdoor Miner” was the closest that Wire got to a hit single during their original period of activity. Lead guitarist Bruce Gilbert famously despised the finished song, to the point of leaving the stage entirely before the remaining three members performed it in concert, only returning after it was...
[Verse 1]
No blind spots in the leopard's eyes
Can only help to jeopardise
The lives of lambs, the shepherd cries
[Verse 2]
An outdoor life for a silverfish
Eternal dust less ticklish
Than the clean room, a houseguest's wish
[Chorus]
He lies on his side, is he trying to hide?
In fact it's the earth, which he's known since birth
He lies on his side, is he trying to hide?
In fact it's the earth, which he's known since birth
[Verse 3]
Face worker, a serpentine miner
A roof falls, an underliner
Of leaf structure, the egg timer
[Chorus]
He lies on his side, is he trying to hide?
In fact it's the earth, which he's known since birth
He lies on his side, is he trying to hide?
In fact it's the earth, which he's known since birth
He lies on his side, is he trying to hide?
(He lies on his side)
In fact it's the earth, which he's known since birth
(Is he trying to hide?)
He lies on his side, is he trying to hide?
(He lies on his side)
In fact it's the earth, which he's known since birth
(Is he trying to hide?)
Outdoor Miner was written by Colin Newman & Graham Lewis.
Outdoor Miner was produced by Mike Thorne.
Wire released Outdoor Miner on Mon Aug 07 1978.
Outdoor Miner surrounds the life-cycle of the Serpentine Leaf Miner insect, both in content and title.