In addition, Belew is well-regarded for his contributions, particularly on guitar, to various other artists' recordings. In 1977, he performed with Frank Zappa, appearing in Zappa's 1979 concert film Baby Snakes, as well as Zappa's controversial album Sheik Yerbouti. He also supported David Bowie on his "Heroes" tour that was released as "Stage". He also played on the 1990 Sound + Vision tour. On both tours he was musical director, playing guitar and singing backing vocals.
Belew's other session credits include the 1980 album Remain in Light by the Talking Heads, Lights Out by Peter Wolf, and Paul Simon's landmark 1986 album Graceland. He worked with Laurie Anderson during the mid-1980s, appearing in her concert film Home of the Brave. During the 1990s, he contributed to three Nine Inch Nails albums, The Downward Spiral, The Fragile, and Ghosts. He played synthesized guitar on the song "God Shuffled His Feet" by Crash Test Dummies in 1993.
In the late-1980s, Belew formed the pop band The Bears with ex-Raisins members and released two albums, The Bears and Rise and Shine. A third album, Car Caught Fire, followed in 2001.
He features prominently on Tori Amos's 2001 cover album, "Strange Little Girls". He also contributed his lead guitar stylings to Porcupine Tree's album Deadwing (2005) as well as to a track ("I Can't Get Behind That", also featuring Henry Rollins) on the 2004 Ben Folds-produced William Shatner album Has Been.
Under the Radar
Adrian Belew Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If you listen carefully
You can understand my fate
To be stranded on the stairway
Under the radar
The first few lines of "Under the Radar" refer to a feeling of being unheard, overlooked or forgotten. The "hissing airwaves" could represent the media or society in general, while the singer is communicating that if you listen closely, you can comprehend his situation. He is, as the lyrics say, "stranded on the stairway." This could signify a sense of being stuck or not moving forward, and a feeling of isolation or loneliness. The phrase "under the radar" suggests being off the grid, invisible to the wider world. While this could seem like a negative or scary thing, it could also connote a chance to self-reflect or find oneself outside of external pressures and expectations.
As the song progresses, the lyrics become increasingly surreal and symbolic, with mentions of a "moonless days" and "desperate sky." The singer seems to be grappling with themes of identity, self-worth and purpose, asking questions like "Am I a human being or a hologram?" The lines "I'm a stranger with a suitcase/ Never stoppin' always passin'" likely refer to a life of constantly moving and not finding a place of belonging. Overall, "Under the Radar" is a poignant exploration of feelings of alienation and trying to make sense of an uncertain future.
Line by Line Meaning
In the hissing airwaves
Amidst the static and noise of the radio waves
If you listen carefully
If you pay close attention
You can understand my fate
You can comprehend my circumstances
To be stranded on the stairway
To be stuck in a difficult situation with no clear way out
Under the radar
Unnoticed and unrecognized
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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