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.
The Rain
21 Guns Lyrics
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How could you hope to leave this all behind
I see your eyes are bathed in red this time
Why can't your tears bring on the rain
Bring on the light
Coz I feel it
The rain will fall
I feel it
The rain will fall
I feel the rain will wash us all
I hear the whispers getting loud tonight
How can they judge
Just what is wrong from what is right
(Chorus)
So who am I to make you cry
Well I must be blind
So who has won when love is gone
I say the rain will wash us all
(Chorus)
These lyrics are from 21 Guns' song "The Rain," which speaks of the past coming back to life and the inability to leave it behind. The lead singer notes that the person's eyes are bathed in red, indicating that they have been crying. However, instead of embracing their tears and allowing them to bring on the rain and light, they refuse to let go and move on. The singer then notes that they feel the rain will fall and bring an end to whatever shame is plaguing them. The rain, in this case, is seen as a metaphor for a cleansing, purifying force - it will wash away whatever is haunting them and allow them to move forward.
The lyrics then shift to the whispers getting louder tonight, and the question of who can judge between right and wrong. However, the singer asserts that the rain will fall and wash away all their doubts and fears; it will cleanse them of judgment, shame, and anything else holding them back from their true selves. The chorus repeats this sentiment, with the lead singer stating that they believe the rain will wash away all their troubles and purify them.
The final verse of the song brings the refrain back, with the singer wondering who they are to make the person cry. They confess that they must be blind to something and question who has won when love is gone. However, instead of dwelling on the sadness and defeat of the situation, the singer declares that the rain will wash them all - the person, the singer, and everything around them. The rain serves as a symbol of hope and renewal in the face of despair.
Line by Line Meaning
I feel the past is coming back to life
Memories of the past are resurfacing and re-emerging
How could you hope to leave this all behind
It is impossible to escape from events and experiences of the past
I see your eyes are bathed in red this time
Eyes are puffy and red, indicating that he/she has been crying
Why can't your tears bring on the rain
Crying has not brought any relief or catharsis
Bring on the light
Hoping for a positive change or resolution
Coz I feel it
The singer has a strong sense/belief that something is going to happen
The rain will fall
Metaphor for a cleansing/refreshing process to occur
I feel our shame will wash right off
The feeling of guilt or regret will disappear
I feel it
Reiterating the previous statement that he/she has a strong feeling or intuition
The rain will fall
Another reference to the metaphorical rain as a cleansing process
I feel the rain will wash us all
The rain will have a purifying and transformative effect on everyone
I hear the whispers getting loud tonight
Gossip or rumors are spreading and becoming more intense
How can they judge
Questioning the validity and fairness of these judgements and criticisms
Just what is wrong from what is right
Challenging the idea that there is a clear right or wrong in every situation
So who am I to make you cry
Questioning his/her own role in causing someone else's pain
Well I must be blind
Admitting to a lack of awareness or understanding
So who has won when love is gone
Reflecting on the emotional toll of a failed relationship
I say the rain will wash us all
Reiterating the previous belief in the metaphorical rain as a transformative process
Contributed by London J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.