With the success of "Raised on the Radio" came a full length album deal with MCA. 'The Ravyns' was released in 1984, and, as with the single, it was once again lauded by critics on both sides of the Atlantic. Still, commercial success appeared to be eluding the group, with them starting to be labeled as a "one hit wonder".
Within one year, the band produced three music videos— "Raised on the Radio", "Don't Leave Me This Way", and "Rhythm of the Heart"— the last of which won MTV's 1985 'National Basement Tapes' competition, solely from viewer support. Despite keying on a catchy pop and rock sound, the band fell into obscurity as the musical scenes of the 80s shifted.
In more recent years, the Ravyns have continued to enjoy attention and notoriety by rock fans young and old as an underrated piece of 80s pop culture. "Raised on the Radio" has appeared in many trivia publications and shows, has been recorded by various newer groups over the years, and still emerges in rock radio formats worldwide. They have two additional full length albums of note: 'Remnants' and 'Live at Maxwells 1983', the latter recorded at Maxwells' night-club in Baltimore.
Raised On the Radio
The Ravyns Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hearts broke, hearts skipped, and we knew that this made for me and you
When he told us he was lonely he was speaking from the heart
I was much to young to know but I knew it was a start
I was raised on the radio
Raised on the radio
Just an all-american boy
I found my favorite toy
Michelle, Lady Jane, yeah I fell in love with girls I never met
I learned to play guitar while the other boys were busy learning math
But all the simplest equations never add up very far
And all my musical persuasions kept me reaching for the stars
I was raised on the radio
Raised on the radio
Just an all-American boy
I've got my favorite toy
I was raised on the radio
Yeah I was raised on the radio
Remembering when times were bad
Love is all we need and love was all we had
1964 when the DJ broke to play us something new...
Raised on the radio
Raised on the radio
Just an all-American boy
I've got my favorite toy
I was raised on the radio
Yeah I was raised on the radio
Just like an all-american boy
I've got my favorite toy
I was raised on the radio
Raised on the radio
Yes I was raised on the radio
The song “Raised On the Radio” by The Ravyns is a nostalgic tribute to the power of music and the impact it can have on a person’s life. The lyrics recount the experience of growing up listening to radio, and how the songs and voices heard through the airwaves helped shape the identity of the listener. The song starts by referencing the year 1956 and how a DJ’s introduction to new music made the hearts of the listeners skip a beat. This moment represented something special between the singer and the person they were listening to the radio with. Even though the singer was young at the time, they recognized that the music they were hearing was the start of something important.
The song goes on to describe how the radio was a formative influence on the singer’s life. They fell in love with girls they never met because of the songs they heard on the radio, and they learned to play guitar while other boys were busy with math. The singer recognizes that the messages they were receiving from the music were often simple, but they still had a profound impact on the way they saw themselves and the world around them. The song ends with a reference to 1964, which implies that the singer continued to listen to music on the radio well into their teenage years.
Overall, “Raised On the Radio” is a heartfelt tribute to the role that music plays in shaping our identities and bringing people together. The song captures a universal experience of growing up in a world where music is an ever-present companion and explores the ways in which the songs we hear on the radio can become part of the fabric of our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
1956, when the DJ broke to play us something new
The year was 1956 and everything changed when the DJ played a new song.
Hearts broke, hearts skipped, and we knew that this made for me and you
The song touched our hearts and we knew it was meant for us.
When he told us he was lonely he was speaking from the heart
The DJ was honest and sincere when he shared his feelings of loneliness.
I was much to young to know but I knew it was a start
Although I was too young to fully understand, I knew this was just the beginning.
I was raised on the radio
My childhood was defined by listening to the radio.
Just an all-american boy
I was a typical American kid.
I found my favorite toy
My favorite thing in the world was music.
Michelle, Lady Jane, yeah I fell in love with girls I never met
I developed crushes on female singers I heard on the radio, even though I never met them.
I learned to play guitar while the other boys were busy learning math
Instead of focusing on academic subjects like math, I spent my time learning to play guitar.
But all the simplest equations never add up very far
Simple formulas and formulas can only take you so far.
And all my musical persuasions kept me reaching for the stars
My love for music inspired me to dream big and aim for the stars.
Remembering when times were bad
Reflecting on tough times in the past.
Love is all we need and love was all we had
Even in difficult times, love was the most important thing in our lives.
1964 when the DJ broke to play us something new...
Another year passed, and another song changed everything...
Yes I was raised on the radio
The radio was a fundamental part of my upbringing.
Contributed by Hunter D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.