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.
Kings Vengeance
21 Guns Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Won′t you give a boy a break?
Juvenile on trial before committee
Taken all he can take
Taken all he can take
But the king shall have his vengeance
Well, especially on the poor
But me, I'm not too sure
Spring she comes, spring she teases
Brings summer winds and summer breezes
Blow through your hair till autumn leaves us
And when autumn leaves, oh, how winter freezes
And the child is still breathing
With the beating of his heart
Some say we are equal
Some are a million miles apart
But the king shall have his vengeance
While the queen, she represents the innocent
And the child so dependant
But the seasons conquer all
Spring she comes, spring she teases
Brings summer winds and summer breezes
Blow through your hair till autumn leaves us
And when autumn leaves, oh, how winter freezes
But the king shall have his vengeance
Especially on the poor
Some say preaching to convert him
Me, I′m not so sure
The lyrics to "King's Vengeance" by 21 Guns speak to the struggles faced by the singer, who is portrayed as a young boy in a challenging situation. He is down and out in the city, seeking some sort of compassion from those around him. However, he finds himself on trial before a committee, enduring hardships that have pushed him to his limit. The lyrics convey his feeling of being overwhelmed, having taken all he can take.
The mention of the king seeking vengeance highlights the theme of societal injustice and inequality. The king symbolizes those in power who perpetuate the suffering of the poor. While some may claim to be preaching or attempting to convert the king, there is doubt about the efficacy of these efforts. The singer is uncertain if change is truly possible.
The lyrics then shift to a reflection on the seasons, using metaphors to convey the passage of time and the cyclical nature of life. Spring's arrival is described as teasing, bringing with it the promise of renewal. Summer brings warmth and breezes, while autumn sees the falling of leaves. As winter arrives, it is portrayed as freezing, representing harshness and difficulty.
Throughout these changing seasons, the child mentioned earlier is still alive, his heart beating. The idea of equality is briefly touched upon, with some claiming that everyone is equal while acknowledging the vast disparities that exist between individuals. Despite this, the king's vengeance remains as a symbol of ongoing injustice, particularly towards the poor.
Overall, "King's Vengeance" is a thought-provoking song that delves into themes of inequality, hardship, and the cyclical nature of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Down and out in the city
Feeling hopeless and desperate in the urban environment
Won't you give a boy a break?
Asking for a chance or opportunity for someone in need
Juvenile on trial before committee
A young person facing judgment and scrutiny by a group
Taken all he can take
Enduring hardships and reaching a breaking point
But the king shall have his vengeance
The powerful will seek revenge
Well, especially on the poor
Particularly targeting those who are economically disadvantaged
Some say preaching to convert him
Suggesting that attempts to change the king's actions through persuasion may be futile
But me, I'm not too sure
Expressing uncertainty or doubt about the effectiveness of preaching
Spring she comes, spring she teases
The arrival of spring symbolizes hope and anticipation
Brings summer winds and summer breezes
Summer represents joy and ease, bringing relief
Blow through your hair till autumn leaves us
The passing of time and the fleeting nature of seasons
And when autumn leaves, oh, how winter freezes
The arrival of winter brings hardship and harsh conditions
And the child is still breathing
Despite the difficulties, the child is resilient and alive
With the beating of his heart
The child's survival is linked to the strength and rhythm of their heart
Some say we are equal
There are beliefs that we are all on the same level
Some are a million miles apart
In reality, some individuals are far more privileged or distant from each other
While the queen, she represents the innocent
The queen symbolizes purity and goodness
And the child so dependent
Highlighting the child's vulnerability and reliance
But the seasons conquer all
Emphasizing the cyclical nature of life and how time overpowers everything
Especially on the poor
Reiterating the preference for targeting the disadvantaged
Some say preaching to convert him
Repeating the idea that attempting to change the king's behavior through persuasion may be futile
Me, I'm not so sure
The artist remains uncertain about the effectiveness of preaching
Writer(s): Philip Parris Lynott, William Scott Gorham
Contributed by James T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Martin Kyle
This is a great record. I think 21 Guns were a bit underrated.
Jay Murray
This is the first version I’ve ever heard of this song so I like the vocals I I wanted to listen to this song as I heard it had some killed guitar melodies, I’ve never heard the Thin Lizzy song but I have heard of Thin Lizzy well one song by them that is but I don’t like Thin Lizzy’s vocals at all but I would be interested in listening to the original Additionally this is not over produced, it probably has more finer updated production quality’s as technology has advanced who’s to say the original band given the technology would of been/chosen to release this mix of the song or not ! To counter the phrase over produced, someone going back to listen to the original might say that the original is under produced All the same U shall include this on my dinosaur rock play list (a compilation of old rock songs made before I was born 10-19-04
Indy Jones
Thin Lizzy song. The original is excellent! Good effort tho.
Adrie Janssen
overproduced.
Alan Lloyd
I love Scotty, but the singer sounds like hair metal 🖕
Charles Docherty
Terrible vocals. 🤦♂️
Alan Lloyd
Couldn't agree more. It's that melodic 80's rock sounds that I don't like anymore. It's a bit too close to hair metal for me...