The band's first, self-titled album was released in 1988, and it met with a great fan response as well as gave the band two hit singles in the United States: "When I See You Smile" and "Price of Love". Positive reviews followed by massive tours built up immense expectations about the songwriting talent of the band in their future endeavors. However, on their second album, entitled 'Backlash', the one and only single failed to enter the U.S. Top 40, peaking instead at only number 42. Critical views were also mixed on the release.
Soon after the band recorded their second album 'Backlash', in 1991, the group disbanded. Members went their separate ways even before the album could be mixed. In a later interview, frontman John Waite said that, while he enjoyed playing to stadium-sized audiences again, he wasn't happy with the somewhat 'corporate rock' image that the Bad English had been tagged as having. He has since had a solo career focused more on mellower singer-songwriter music.
Ready When You Are
Bad English Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I was your prisoner in a castle
Hands tied
Yeah
Was it pain
Was it pleasure
You couldn't decide
No
A mistress who can call my name
I wanted more
Yeah
Cause baby I'm ready
Ready when you are
Ready in a heartbeat
A slave for love tonight
(Ready when you are)
I'm ready when you are
That's right
Yow
Oh
Did you dream you were with me last night
Yeah
Was it Paris in a hotel
Red light
Ooh la la
Hear me knockin' at your door
I've come back for me
Need some more
Cause baby I'm ready
Ready when you are
Ready in a heartbeat
A slave for love tonight
(Ready when you are)
I'm ready babe
That's right
I'm ready for you
You're ready for me
I'm ready girl
Ready as anybody can be
Try another fantasy
You know you're mine
Anytime
Yeah
Cause
Cause I'm ready
Ready when you are
Ready in a heartbeat
A slave for love
Ready when you are
Ready in a heartbeat
A slave for love
Tonight
(Ready when you are)
I'm ready when you are
Oh babe
Make a wish
Close your eyes
Wear another sleek disguise
(Ready when you are)
Dream baby
Just dream
(Ready when you are)
Sweat baby
Never know what you're gonna get
(Ready when you are)
Ya never know what you're gonna get
So dream baby
(Ready when you are)
Sweat baby
Sweat baby
Dreamin'
Never know what you're gonna get
Dream baby
The lyrics of Bad English's "Ready When You Are" speak of a dream that the singer had where they were the prisoner of the person they desire. It is evident that the person they desire is ambivalent about whether the experience was painful or pleasurable. Described as a "mistress," the singer, who wishes to be called, wants more. They are ready to become a slave to their lover, waiting to fulfill their fantasies, and are prepared for whatever to come.
The song's meaning is very straightforward: the person singing is willing to do anything and everything their lover asks of them. They are ready to be obedient and devote themselves to whatever their lover wishes, no matter how submissive it may appear. The lyrics "A slave for love tonight" reinforces the idea that they will do anything, no matter how much power they may lose because of their devotion.
The song may be interpreted as an attempt to create an image of a typical masculine behavior with an underlying hint of submissive tendencies. The song's build-up shows how the male character acknowledges the feminine power their partner possesses, as they refer to them as a mistress. It's a clever exploration of the usual masculine and feminine stereotypes and how they change and combine in today's world.
Line by Line Meaning
Had a dream you were with me last night
I had a dream where you were with me the previous night.
I was your prisoner in a castle
In my dream, I was trapped as your captive in a castle.
Hands tied
My hands were bound in the dream, and I couldn't move freely.
Was it pain
Were the things that were happening in my dream causing me physical or emotional pain?
Was it pleasure
Or were they causing me to feel pleasure instead?
You couldn't decide
You, the person with whom I was dreaming of, were unable to decide whether to cause me pleasure or pain.
A mistress who can call my name
I am looking for someone who can fulfill the role of a mistress and call me by name.
I wanted more
I desire much more than what is currently available to me.
Cause baby I'm ready
I am already prepared and willing to proceed with whatever you have in mind.
Ready when you are
I am entirely ready to start whenever you are.
Ready in a heartbeat
It would only take an instant for me to be ready for action.
A slave for love tonight
I am willing to submit completely to love and become its slave for this one evening.
(Ready when you are)
I cannot emphasize enough that I am as ready as I could ever be, so let's get started.
That's right
I am telling you the truth, and there is nothing you can do to stop me.
Did you dream you were with me last night
I'm curious if you had a similar dream and we were together last night.
Was it Paris in a hotel
If you had a dream like me, was it set in a hotel in Paris?
Red light
Were we exploring the streets of Paris, and did you see the red light district?
Ooh la la
Perhaps there were some steamy and arousing activities happening during the dream.
Hear me knockin' at your door
Regardless of what happened in the dream, I want to be in your presence right now and knock on your door.
I've come back for me
I am back to continue what we started previously and to be with you.
Need some more
I long for more intense and exciting moments with you.
I'm ready babe
As I repetitively say, I'm ready and willing to proceed with anything that you have in mind.
You're ready for me
I am confident that you are as excited and prepared as I am for whatever lies ahead.
Ready as anybody can be
I am as ready as any other person could be, and I'm eagerly looking forward to what's next.
Try another fantasy
Let's try another fantasy or idea that can bring us closer and make us more intimate.
You know you're mine
You already belong to me, and I want to reinforce this fact by doing things with you that only lovers do.
Anytime
I am always ready and available for you at any time of the day or night.
Cause
As I keep repeating, I am prepared to give myself to you completely and without reservation.
Ready when you are
I am still waiting for you to signal that you're ready to proceed, and I will be right there while you do.
A slave for love
For the sake of love, I am willing to relinquish control and be at your complete mercy, doing whatever you desire.
Tonight
It must transpire this very night, and I cannot wait any longer.
Oh babe
Hey, baby, I want to talk to you.
Make a wish
Make a wish, and I will try to make it happen.
Close your eyes
Close your eyes and relax while I make your dreams come true.
Wear another sleek disguise
Try something different from what you usually wear so that we can have an entirely novel and exciting experience.
Dream baby
Close your eyes and let yourself dream of us in a desirable scenario.
Just dream
All you have to do is dream, and I'll take care of everything else.
Sweat baby
As we make love, we will both break into a sweat and feel alive.
Never know what you're gonna get
With me, you can't tell what's going to happen next, and I'll always surprise you.
Ya never know what you're gonna get
Things could go in any direction, and I'm excited to explore whatever comes our way.
So dream baby
Please continue to dream, and I'll continue to make them come true.
Dreamin'
Let's dream together and make some unforgettable memories.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: John Charles Waite, Jonathan Cain, Neal J Schon, Todd David Cerney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind