The original trio comprised of American Andrew Thomas, British John McInerney, and Jamaican Trevor Taylor - the original lead vocalist. The debut single L.O.V.E In My Car failed to make an impression in the pop charts but the follow-up You're A Woman was a massive success, reaching the top 10 in many European countries.
Trevor Taylor provided the lead vocal for the group's early hit singles including You're A Woman and Pretty Young Girl. The 1987 single Come Back And Stay was the first to feature John McInerney on lead vocal. Although the track was originally recorded as demo with Trevor Taylor's voice, the producers subjectively chose John McInerney's version. This created tension within the group which ultimately lead to Trevor Taylor's departure. John McInerney went on to perform lead vocal on the vast majority of Bad Boys Blue's output.
The group became massively popular in Eastern Europe, with the band performing to sell-out crowds in Russia and the Ukraine. In contrast the group never charted in the UK and their only charting USA single was Save Your Love.
The group has experienced numerous line up changes. In 1988 Trevor Taylor left the group - a year after being practically demoted to backup singer - but was asked to rejoin the group the following year just for recording sessions of Hungry for Love single that was to be featured on the group's first compilation album Bad Boys Best. Trevor Taylor's departure permanently secured John McInerney's position as the band's new lead vocalist. Trevor Taylor was replaced by Trevor Bannister. Trevor Bannister left in 1993 and the remaining two members performed as a duo. Mo Russel joined the group in 1995. In 1999 Kevin McCoy (stage name JoJo Max) replaced Mo Russel by joining Bad Boys Blue fulltime after being the group's rapper since 1998, but left in early 2003 leaving Bad Boys Blue as a duo again. However, in 2006, Kevin McCoy rejoined Andrew Thomas' Bad Boys Blue line-up (see below).
In 2005 Thomas and McInerney split under less than amicable circumstances. Carlos Ferreira joined John McInerney in 2006 and new material is said to be forthcoming from this, presently Poland-based, duo. Andrew Thomas also formed a version of Bad Boys Blue with former member Kevin McCoy and singer Herb McCoy but they are not signed to any record label. The question of who gets to officially use the Bad Boys Blue brand name has not yet been resolved.
Who's That Man?
Bad Boys Blue Lyrics
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From you, but maybe somehow
I thought your love was specially
Made for me, now I know
Dust in the sands, you've been sending
So what is the game you're pretending?
Who's that man by your side
Who's that man by your side
The man by your side
Cause if when we - all or nothing
Cause if when we - you and me
Who's that man by your side
The man by your side
The lesson you have given me
I got it that is for sure
You better stop messing around
I'll walk right out through the door
Dust in the sands, you've been sending
So what is the game you're pretending?
Who's that man by your side
The man by your side
Who's that man by your side
The man by your side
Cause if when we - all or nothing
Cause if when we - you and me
Who's that man by your side
The man by your side
Dust in the sands, you've been sending
So what is the game you're pretending?
Who's that man by your side
Who's that man by your side
The man by your side
Cause if when we - all or nothing
Cause if when we - you and me
Who's that man by your side
The man by your side (I want to know)
Who's that man by your side
The man by your side
Cause if when we - all or nothing
Cause if when we - you and me
Who's that man by your side...
The lyrics to Bad Boys Blue's song Who's That Man? speak about the pain of betrayal and the confusion that ensues when someone we thought we knew well suddenly acts differently. The song talks about how the singer had a special bond with the person they're singing to, but now they're sending dust in the sands and playing a game by pretending. The singer demands to know, "Who's that man by your side?" and gets frustrated by the lack of transparency, especially since they thought their love was something special. The song's lyrics express the singer's frustration that they can't access the guarantee of love or loyalty they believed they were entitled to, and they fear that they might have been played with.
The verses continue to explore the singer's frustration, and they proceed to state that they've learned their "lesson" and that they will soon leave. They reiterate their demand to know who the other person is with, which the chorus then repeats multiple times. The song's repetition of the chorus emphasizes the singer's uncertainty, frustration, and desire for answers to their questions. Overall, the lyrics are a powerful example of a song that encapsulates the feelings of loss and betrayal, with a driving beat that will make listeners want to dance and sing along.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't expect the guarantee
I don't expect you to make any promises or guarantees to me
From you, but maybe somehow
I don't expect a guarantee from you, but maybe I hoped for something more meaningful to me
I thought your love was specially
I believed your love was unique and special to me
Made for me, now I know
Now I realize your love was not made for me specifically
Dust in the sands, you've been sending
You've been sending me empty, meaningless messages
So what is the game you're pretending?
What is the deception you're playing?
Who's that man by your side
Who is the man that you're with?
Cause if when we - all or nothing
Because if we're going to be in this relationship, it has to be all or nothing
Cause if when we - you and me
Because if it's going to be you and me, there can't be anyone else on the side
The lesson you have given me
The lesson I've learned from you
I got it that is for sure
I understand it now, that's for sure
You better stop messing around
You need to stop playing games and being dishonest
I'll walk right out through the door
I'm willing to leave the relationship if you don't change
Who's that man by your side
Who is the man that you're with?
Cause if when we - all or nothing
Because if we're going to be in this relationship, it has to be all or nothing
Cause if when we - you and me
Because if it's going to be you and me, there can't be anyone else on the side
Who's that man by your side
Who is the man that you're with?
Dust in the sands, you've been sending
You've been sending me empty, meaningless messages
So what is the game you're pretending?
What is the deception you're playing?
Who's that man by your side
Who is the man that you're with?
The man by your side
The man who is always with you
Cause if when we - all or nothing
Because if we're going to be in this relationship, it has to be all or nothing
Cause if when we - you and me
Because if it's going to be you and me, there can't be anyone else on the side
Who's that man by your side
Who is the man that you're with?
The man by your side
The man who is always with you
Cause if when we - all or nothing
Because if we're going to be in this relationship, it has to be all or nothing
Cause if when we - you and me
Because if it's going to be you and me, there can't be anyone else on the side
Who's that man by your side
Who is the man that you're with?
The man by your side (I want to know)
I want to know who the man is that is always by your side
Cause if when we - all or nothing
Because if we're going to be in this relationship, it has to be all or nothing
Cause if when we - you and me
Because if it's going to be you and me, there can't be anyone else on the side
Who's that man by your side
Who is the man that you're with?
The man by your side
The man who is always with you
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: K. VAN HAAREN, TONY HENDRIK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind