After signing with AFM Records in 2002, the band then released "Only Human" before touring Europe with Rhapsody and Angel Dust.
Singer Oliver Hartmann then left the band and a replacement was found in former Yngwie Malmsteen singer Mats Leven.
Lenk spent the next few months writing 2003's album “The Evil In You”. A tour with Kamelot followed. After that, "Chained" was released in 2005 and secured chart entries in Scandinavia. The band then toured with Brainstorm and Mercenary. Mats Leven is no longer a member of At Vance and was replaced by Rick Altzi for their newest album, VII.
Discography :
No Escape (1998)
Heart Of Steel (2000)
Dragonchaser (2001)
Only Human (2002)
The Evil In You (2003)
Chained (2005)
VII (2007)
Ride The Sky (2009)
Desperado
At Vance Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You been out ridin' fences for so long now
Oh, you're a hard one
I know that you got your reasons
These things that are pleasin' you
Can hurt you somehow
Don't you draw the queen of diamonds, boy
You know the queen of hearts is always your best bet
Now it seems to me, some fine things
Have been laid upon your table
But you only want the ones that you can't get
Desperado, oh, you ain't gettin' no younger
Your pain and your hunger, they're drivin' you home
And freedom, oh freedom well, that's just some people talkin'
Your prison is walking through this world all alone
Don't your feet get cold in the winter time?
The sky won't snow and the sun won't shine
It's hard to tell the night time from the day
You're losin' all your highs and lows
Ain't it funny how the feeling goes away?
Desperado, why don't you come to your senses?
Come down from your fences, open the gate
It may be rainin', but there's a rainbow above you
You better let somebody love you, before it's too late
The lyrics to At Vance's song Desperado are a plea to a person who has been living a hard and reckless life, with the singer asking the titular "desperado" to come to their senses before it's too late. The "ridin' fences" line represents the person's past choices and actions, possibly as a cowboy or outlaw, leading them to be described as a "hard one" who has likely experienced a lot of pain and hurt. The singer acknowledges that the desperado must have reasons for the choices they have made, but warns that those choices can still have painful consequences.
The lyrics also warn the desperado of the danger of chasing after things that are ultimately destructive, using the example of the queen of diamonds who will "beat you if she's able". The singer advises the desperado to go after things that are more reliable and true, represented by the queen of hearts. The chorus of the song continues to plead with the desperado to leave behind their life of loneliness and isolation and to let someone love them before it's too late.
Line by Line Meaning
Desperado, why don't you come to your senses?
Why aren't you realizing the reality of your situation, desperado?
You been out ridin' fences for so long now
You've been constantly wandering and avoiding commitment for a long time.
Oh, you're a hard one
You're a tough, uncompromising person.
I know that you got your reasons
I understand that you have your own motives that guide your actions.
These things that are pleasin' you
Can hurt you somehow
The things that you find gratifying can be harmful to you in some way.
Don't you draw the queen of diamonds, boy
She'll beat you if she's able
You know the queen of hearts is always your best bet
Avoid going after the high-risk temptations that may cause you harm. Instead, go for things that are good for you and won't lead to trouble.
Now it seems to me, some fine things
Have been laid upon your table
But you only want the ones that you can't get
You have access to some good things in your life, but you only seem interested in those things that are out of your reach.
Desperado, oh, you ain't gettin' no younger
Your pain and your hunger, they're drivin' you home
And freedom, oh freedom well, that's just some people talkin'
Your prison is walking through this world all alone
You're not getting any younger, desperado. Your suffering and yearning for something more are leading you home. The idea of freedom is just an illusion, and you're really imprisoned by the loneliness of the world around you.
Don't your feet get cold in the winter time?
The sky won't snow and the sun won't shine
It's hard to tell the night time from the day
You're losin' all your highs and lows
Ain't it funny how the feeling goes away?
The world can be a cold and dark place, and you're losing your sense of direction and joy in life. It's ironic how feelings can suddenly disappear, isn't it?
Desperado, why don't you come to your senses?
Come down from your fences, open the gate
It may be rainin', but there's a rainbow above you
You better let somebody love you, before it's too late
It's time for you to wake up and be realistic, desperado. Stop avoiding commitment and open yourself up to love. Even though life may be tough or uncertain, there's still hope, and you have to grab it while you can.
Contributed by Hailey L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.