Lyric discussion by manic4manics 

Cover art for Love's Sweet Exile lyrics by Manic Street Preachers

Confirmation please- I've heard two stories about Richey, one that he wasn't really interested in sex at all, that he left uni a virgin and would spend all his time with his girlfriend of 4 years just having great discussions with each other. Alternatively I've also heard that he was a complete sexual monster, having massive orgies backstage, employing prostitutes, etc. That story seems rather hypocritical of him, what with all he said about the decadent lifestyles of Freddie Mercury and all the old stars. However, when I see videos of him and Nicky Wire, particularly in this one and You Love Us, the two of them seemed to be acting like a couple... What's the truth?! Not that I suppose it really matters but I'm curious to know.

Had my attention drawn back to this by a marker-upper. I can now confirm that, in part at least, most of this is true- Richey's interest in sex was very limited and he found it disappointing and overrated ('Nature's lukewarm pleasure' in fact- She Is Suffering). He also did not lose his virginity until after university. (Little titbit here- the partner was an older woman, someone in the music business, who took Richey aside at an aftershow party, much to the despair of James, who was reported to have raged at her "Do you have any idea what you've done?!"...