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.
Wolves
21 Guns Lyrics
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There's 2 many problems for you and I
And 3's for the money you'll steal tonight
You 4got your family 4got your pride
Why won't you stay
Why won't you pray
I drown in my sorrow and silence
It's you or it's them, so simple then
Just where are you going, where have you been…
Why won't you stay
Why won't you…
Walk on down, stand your ground
Little known less understood
Little red don't run, don't you run with wolves
There's no judge and jury only house arrest
I'll show you some mercy, a pound of flesh
There's no need to hurry baby, no need to shout
Why don't you stay 'til the morning and we can work it out
Why won't you stay
Why won't you…
Walk on down, stand your ground
Out there is a world that keeps spinning around
Now baby,
Walk on down, stand your ground
Little known less understood
Little red don't run, don't you run with wolves
The lyrics of 21 Guns’ song “Wolves” seem to be about temptation and the struggle to stay on the right path, despite the lure of other options. The first few lines mention the future slipping away and the many problems that make it difficult to stay true to oneself. The numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4 then appear in the lyrics, perhaps representing a countdown towards making a bad decision. The chorus then pleads with someone to stay and pray, suggesting that their decisions have led them away from a righteous path.
The verses continue with more imagery of temptation and loss. The singer mentions drowning in sorrow and silence, suggesting a sense of isolation and despair. The line “It’s you or it’s them, so simple then” suggests a binary choice between what is right and what is wrong. The bridge seems to offer a lifeline, with the singer offering mercy and a chance to work things out. The song ultimately urges the listener to stand their ground and not give in to the “wolves” of temptation.
Overall, the lyrics of “Wolves” convey a message of struggle and temptation, but also the hope for redemption and the potential for choosing the right path.
Line by Line Meaning
This 1's for the future that past you by
This line refers to the feeling of regret and missed opportunities that arise when reflecting on your past decisions.
There's 2 many problems for you and I
This line highlights the challenges and difficulties that are faced by both the singer and the subject of the song.
And 3's for the money you'll steal tonight
This line alludes to immoral or criminal behavior that the subject of the song is engaging in.
You 4got your family 4got your pride
This line points out the neglect of important values and relationships by the subject of the song.
Why won't you stay
Why won't you pray
These repeated lines could be interpreted as questions directed toward the subject of the song, wondering why they continue down a destructive path instead of seeking help or redemption.
You've lost to temptation, no innocence
This line implies that the subject of the song has given in to temptation and lost their sense of morality.
I drown in my sorrow and silence
This line describes the emotional state of the singer as they struggle to come to terms with the situation.
It's you or it's them, so simple then
Just where are you going, where have you been…
These lines suggest a pattern of behavior in which the subject of the song must choose between their own desires and the needs of others, leading to a sense of confusion about their place in the world.
Walk on down, stand your ground
Little known less understood
Little red don't run, don't you run with wolves
These lines offer advice to the subject of the song, cautioning them against following dangerous or negative influences and encouraging them to stay true to themselves.
There's no judge and jury only house arrest
I'll show you some mercy, a pound of flesh
There's no need to hurry baby, no need to shout
Why don't you stay 'til the morning and we can work it out
This stanza suggests a desire to help the subject of the song and work through their problems, despite the negative actions that may have taken place.
Out there is a world that keeps spinning around
Now baby,
Walk on down, stand your ground
Little known less understood
Little red don't run, don't you run with wolves
These lines reinforce the idea that life moves on, and that the subject of the song can choose to move forward and stay true to their values, rather than getting caught up in negative influences.
Contributed by James T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.