There are at least three bands called 21 Guns

1. With radio friendly… Read Full Bio ↴There are at least three bands called 21 Guns

1. With radio friendly AOR super groups such as Bad English and Damn Yankees receiving commercial success, former Thin Lizzy guitarist Scott Gorham decided to form a similar type band and hope for stardom. Gorham recruited fellow Americans Tommy La Verdi (vocals), Leif Johansen (bass), and Michael Sturgis (drums). By 1992 they had been signed to RCA records and released a well-polished AOR album that received rave reviews, but went relatively unnoticed by the record buying public. After touring it was decided that La Verdi wasn't on the same page as the rest of the band, and with his departure the group disbanded. Gorham began appearing at Thin Lizzy tribute shows while Sturgis resurfaced with prog-rockers Asia.

In 1997 Gorham decided to reform 21 Guns around new vocalist Hans Olav Solli (ex-Sons Of Angels, ex-psycho motel). Solli had most recently been a member of iron maiden gitarist Adrian Smith's band Psycho Motel with drummer Mike Sturgis who returned to the reformed line up of 21 Guns. By the time the follow-up album Nothing's Real the music scene had completely changed, and a limited release in America killed any chance of the album breaking out commercially. A collection of demo recordings by the original line-up was released in 2002 and the band is rumored to be working on another studio recording. Solli resurfaced in the Norwegian music-project Greenhouze, Gorham hit the road with a Thin Lizzy tribute band and Sturgis became a permanent recording and touring drummer with Asia.

In 2009 it was announced that Scott Gorham and Leif Johansen have been writing and recording together again with a new singer, Peter Shoulder. Peter is the former singer/guitarist of Winterville. Scott and Peter first worked together when Winterville supported Thin Lizzy on their 2005 UK tour. In 2007 Winterville split and Peter went on to record his own solo material.

2. 21 Guns were an Australian hard rock band that released a self-titled album in 1990. Personnel: Andy McLean (lead vocals), Cameran McKenzie (guitar, backing vocals), Henry Eustacs (bass, backing vocals), Mark Herrera (drums).

3. 21 Guns were a very short-lived ska band from Coventry, United Kingdom, that released just one single: '21 Guns' on Shack Records (1981). Formed in 1980, the group consisted of The Specials roadies Trevor Evans (keyboards) and Johnny Rex (drums), plus Kevin Tanner (bass), Stuart MacLean (guitar) and Gary 'Judge' Chambers (vocals). Prior to their single at Shack Records (the label that The Specials' Neville Staple started, along with his then girlfriend, The Bodysnatchers' Stella Barker) 21 Guns recorded a three-song session for John Peel in early February 1981. They also scored a support slot opening for Hazel O'Connor.

Just a Wish
21 Guns Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

You walk my dreams any time
We've only spoken twice.
I've built a world deep in my mind
I never realized..

I've watched you time after time,
You never see me.
It gives me chills to the bone

When you come near me..
You ask me why am I here
And why I'm smiling

Just a wish, before I go...
Just a dream, to have and hold.
I close my eyes
And I make that wish once more -
Just once more

I've played the fool many times,
This one's topped them all. (Yeah, yeah.)
Another day has come and gone
Still my dream lives on

You turn to ask what I said,
You couldn't hear me
I see surprise in your eyes
What are you feeling?
How could I live with the pain
Of never trying!?

------------------
Chorus

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Just a Wish" by 21 Guns express the feeling of unrequited love. The singer has only spoken to the object of their affection twice, but has built an entire world in their mind around them. The person is constantly watching them, but their feelings are not reciprocated. When the object of their affection is near, it sends chills down their spine. When they ask why the singer is smiling, the singer merely responds with "just a wish" and "just a dream." The singer realizes that they have played the fool many times before, but this unrequited love has topped them all. They can't let go of their dream, even though another day has gone by.

In the chorus, the singer says "I close my eyes and I make that wish once more - just once more." This line highlights the pain and longing that the singer is feeling. They know that their love is not returned, but they can't stop themselves from dreaming and wishing for something more.

Overall, the lyrics of "Just a Wish" capture the painful feeling of loving someone who doesn't love you back. The singer is tormented by their feelings but can't bring themselves to let go, even as their dream remains unfulfilled.

Line by Line Meaning

You walk my dreams any time
You frequently appear in my dreams

We've only spoken twice.
We have only had two conversations

I've built a world deep in my mind
I have created an elaborate imaginary world in my head

I never realized..
Until now, I did not realize the extent of my feelings for you

I've watched you time after time,
I have observed you multiple times

You never see me.
You never notice me

It gives me chills to the bone
Being near you makes me feel overwhelmed with emotion

When you come near me..
Whenever you approach me

You ask me why am I here
You inquire as to why I am present

And why I'm smiling
And why I am smiling

Just a wish, before I go...
As I depart, I have merely one request