He also produced the hugely successful Year Of The Cat album with Al Stewart and two albums with American progressive rock band Ambrosia. In 1975 he met Eric Woolfson who not only became his manager, but joined forces with Alan as a songwriting and performing partner for what became known as The Alan Parsons Project. The APP’s debut album, Tales Of Mystery And Imagination, based on the works of Edgar Allan Poe, paved the way for a signing to Clive Davis’ newly launched Arista label and a string of hit albums, namely I Robot (1977), Pyramid (1978), The Turn of a Friendly Card (1980), Eye in the Sky (1982), Ammonia Avenue (1984), Vulture Culture (1985), Stereotomy (1986) and Gaudi (1987). A brief venture into musical theatre resulted in Freudiana in 1990.The show ran for over a year in the historic Theater An Der Wien in Vienna. Eric and Alan then went separate ways. Eric devoted his career to the musical theatre while Parsons felt the need to bring his music to the live concert stage and to continue to record conceptual symphonic rock music. With his long-standing previous APP collaborators, guitarist Ian Bairnson, drummer Stuart Elliott and orchestral arranger Andrew Powell, Alan dropped the "Project" identity for Alan Parsons - Try Anything Once in 1994. The partnership continued for On Air in 1996 and The Time Machine in 1999. During this time the first incarnation of "Alan Parsons Live Project" toured to sell-out audiences throughout the globe.
Following Alan’s relocation to California, a new Live Project band was formed in 2003. The album A Valid Path, Alan’s foray into Electronica was released in 2004 and featured Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour, The Crystal Method, Shpongle, Uberzone, PJ Olsson and Alan’s son, Jeremy. 2008 saw the reissue of all the Alan Parsons Project albums in expanded form, containing never-before-heard bonus material and a 2-CD compilation called The Essential Collection. One of the most familiar Project tracks is Sirius, perhaps best known as the Chicago Bulls theme and more recently as walk-on music for The New Orleans Saints at their triumphant Superbowl game in 2010.
Alan’s latest venture is an instructional series about recording called The Art And Science Of Sound Recording. See www.artandscienceofsound.com. All Our Yesterdays, a song written especially for the series, features some of LA’s finest musicians and a rare performance by Alan on lead vocals. Alan lives in Santa Barbara, California with his wife Lisa and her two daughters, Tabitha and Brittni, four dogs, a lop-eared rabbit, and an 18-hand Clydesdale called Dante.
Back Against The Wall
Alan Parsons Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tell the truth to one and all
'Cause you know that feeling
When you've got your back against the wall.
My God, it's only Tuesday tomorrow
And "Loved One's" gone and blown it all
Now you've got no money and you feel your back against the wall.
And you look like you're gonna fall
You can call my number when you feel your back against the wall.
Some Tripper's got you right in a corner
And you feel you're gonna lose it all
Now you don't want trouble but you feel your back's against the wall.
So the guy moves forward but you hold him away
Shit there's no one there to hear you call
So you take your chances and you push him back against the wall.
Now the guy's in the gutter and you don't give a damn
And he looks kind of weak and small
'Cause you called his number when you felt your back against the wall.
Stand up, and with your hand on the Bible
Tell the truth to one and all
'Cause you know that feeling
When you've got your back against the wall.
Well, if you talk to your brothers and they don't give a damn
And you look like you're gonna fall
You can call my number when you feel your back against the wall.
The song "Back Against The Wall" by Alan Parsons can be interpreted in two different ways. On one hand, it can be seen as a call to honesty, urging us to tell the truth even when we feel like we have our backs against the wall. The opening lines suggest that standing up and facing the truth, regardless of the consequences, is the only way to go. This idea is reinforced in the chorus, which repeats the phrase "Tell the truth to one and all, 'Cause you know that feeling when you've got your back against the wall."
On the other hand, the song can also be interpreted as a message of hope and support, encouraging us to reach out to others when we feel like we're in trouble. The line "You can call my number when you feel your back against the wall" suggests that no matter how tough things get, there is always someone out there willing to help. Whether it's through talking to our brothers or seeking out other forms of support, we don't have to face life's challenges alone.
Overall, "Back Against The Wall" is a powerful song that speaks to the importance of honesty, courage, and community in the face of adversity. It reminds us that no matter how tough things get, we can always find a way to persevere if we stand together.
Line by Line Meaning
Stand up, and with your hand on the Bible
Stand up for yourself and tell the truth
Tell the truth to one and all
Be honest with everyone
'Cause you know that feeling
Because you are familiar with the feeling
When you've got your back against the wall.
When you are in trouble or in a difficult situation.
My God, it's only Tuesday tomorrow
Expressing stress and anxiety about the near future.
And "Loved One's" gone and blown it all
Someone dear has lost everything and potentially put others in trouble
Now you've got no money and you feel your back against the wall.
You are broke and desperate and feel trapped.
Well, if you talk to your brothers and they don't give a damn
If you reach out to your close ones and they do not care
And you look like you're gonna fall
And you seem weak and defeated
You can call my number when you feel your back against the wall.
You can count on me when you need help and have nowhere else to turn.
Some tripper's got you right in a corner
Some adversary has backed you into a tight spot.
And you feel you're gonna lose it all
And you feel you will lose everything you worked for.
Now you don't want trouble but you feel your back's against the wall.
You are trying to avoid problems but cannot escape the pressure.
So the guy moves forward but you hold him away
An antagonist tries to advance, but you push them back.
Shit there's no one there to hear you call
There is no one who can help you at the moment.
So you take your chances and you push him back against the wall.
You take a risk and fight back, putting your opponent in a vulnerable position.
Now the guy's in the gutter and you don't give a damn
Your adversary is down, and you do not have any sympathy for them.
And he looks kind of weak and small
He appears powerless and insignificant.
'Cause you called his number when you felt your back against the wall.
Because you sought help when you needed it and no one else was there for you.
Stand up, and with your hand on the Bible
Stand for yourself and your beliefs
Tell the truth to one and all
Be honest with everyone
'Cause you know that feeling
Because you are familiar with the feeling
When you've got your back against the wall.
When you are in trouble or in a difficult situation.
Well, if you talk to your brothers and they don't give a damn
If you reach out to your close ones and they do not care
And you look like you're gonna fall
And you seem weak and defeated
You can call my number when you feel your back against the wall.
You can count on me when you need help and have nowhere else to turn.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALAN PARSONS, ANDREW POWELL, IAN BAIRNSON, STUART ALEXANDER ELLIOT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind