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.
Walking
21 Guns Lyrics
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I've taken my first step
And I won't be coming home
Till I get some respect
Mother can you hear me
I travel fast and light
I only take the baggage
Father can you hear me
Across a trail of tears
And when I try to reach the sky
I fall down in fear
Mother can you hear me
I taste the bitter truth
Poisons fill my body
And take away mu youth
Walking the edge
I've crossed the line
Taking my time to get
My peace of mind
Get out
Father can you hear me
The rivers strong and deep
A sea of people drowning
Face down in the street
I said mother can you hear me
Through the concrete and steel
I feel the city breathing
All noise
No fell, just pain I say
Get out
I can't hear her
Walking the edge
I've crossed the line
Taking my time to get
My peace of mind
"21 Guns" is a song about finding oneself in a difficult and uncertain position and asking for guidance from one's parents. The first verse finds the singer asking their father for respect. It is a common desire for young people who are trying to establish their independence, but still want to be acknowledged and valued by their parents. The second verse shifts to the mother, who the singer asks if she can hear them as they travel lightly through life. The baggage they carry is only what is necessary for survival, not what ties them to the past or burdens them emotionally.
The third verse returns to the father, who the singer asks if he can hear them across a trail of tears. This line is a reference to the Trail of Tears, a forced relocation of Native American tribes in the 19th century. The singer is using this metaphor to convey the difficulty of their journey through life, as they try to reach for the sky but are overcome with fear and uncertainty. The fourth verse asks the mother if she can hear them as they taste the bitter truth of life. The poisons in their body represent the challenges and hardships they have faced and the way it takes away their youth.
Throughout the song, there is a sense of longing for guidance and understanding from their parents, but also a sense of distance and separation. The singer feels like they are walking on the edge, crossing lines, and taking their time to get their own peace of mind. It is a difficult journey, but one they must take in order to find themselves and their place in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Father can you hear me
Asking for guidance and support from a higher power
I've taken my first step
Starting a new journey or phase in life
And I won't be coming home
Till I get some respect
Driven to prove oneself and earn recognition and validation
Mother can you hear me
Seeking comfort and assurance from a maternal figure
I travel fast and light
I only take the baggage
That gets me through the night
Living a minimalist lifestyle and only carrying what is essential
Across a trail of tears
Reflecting on past hardships and struggles
And when I try to reach the sky
I fall down in fear
Fear and self-doubt inhibiting personal growth and progress
I taste the bitter truth
Poisons fill my body
And take away mu youth
Confronting harsh realities and the toll they take on one's well-being
Walking the edge
I've crossed the line
Taking my time to get
My peace of mind
Navigating the boundaries of personal growth and finding inner peace
Father can you hear me
The rivers strong and deep
A sea of people drowning
Face down in the street
Witnessing and lamenting societal injustices and struggles
Through the concrete and steel
I feel the city breathing
All noise
No fell, just pain I say
Experiencing the fast-paced and overwhelming nature of city life, with a focus on its negative aspects
I can't hear her
Unable to connect or communicate with loved ones
Contributed by Aaliyah I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.