Badlands was a short-lived rock band founded by Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Jake E. Lee and Black Sabbath members Ray Gillen and Eric Singer. Badlands also featured bassist Greg Chaisson. After the first Badlands album, Eric Singer was replaced by Jeff Martin. Eric Singer later played drums on the Greg Chaisson solo album It’s About Time. They existed from 1988 to 1992 and released three albums, Badlands (1989), Voodoo Highway (1991), and Dusk (originally recorded in 1993-1992 and released posthumously in 1998).
Greg Chaisson and Jeff Martin later played in the bands Blindside Blues Band and RedSea.
Jake E. Lee was not getting along with Ray Gillen to the point where Ray left the band as Jake was already telling magazines he was fired and being replaced. Ray went to New York City to record Sun Red Sun with old friends but died from an AIDS related disease in a New York Hospital on December 1, 1993.
2. There was also another band called Badlands with John Sykes and Neil Murray. Both bands named Badlands had former Black Sabbath members as members.
3. Badlands is also a rock'n'roll/oi band from the Netherlands.
4. Badlands is also a hardcore band from Ottawa Canada. (http://badlandshc.bandcamp.com/)
5. http://outinthedesert.bandcamp.com/album/so-little from los angeles.
6. Badlands is also Swedish producer, composer & sound designer Catharina Jaunviksna (https://badlandssounds.bandcamp.com/music)
River
Badlands Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm getting older now, it's time to look around
My brother John loves his needle & spoon
A cigarette hangs from his lip
Everyone ?round thinks he's so bad
He's really not that cool, no
And I know the reasons why
He was born by a river
You know he'll die by the river now
?Cause deep inside my river's run dry
So many times did mother swallow her pride
Just to keep my old man's dreams alive
And I know, and I know someday we're gonna move on outta here
She says "Jesus, Lord, don't give me no bad thoughts and bury me here."
And I know the reasons why, and I know the reasons why
She was born by a river
Her blood flows through the river now
And deep inside my river's run dry
She was born by a river
Her blood flows through the river now
?Cause deep inside my river's run dry
Oh, take hold my hand and pray
Someday baby we're gonna find a way
Oh, oh
I know the reasons why
?Cause deep inside she lost her life
Yeah, yeah, yeah
She was born by a river
Her blood flows through the river now
Deep inside the river's run dry
She was born by a river
You know, we'll die by the river now
?Cause deep inside my river's run dry
Yeah, yeah, yeah,
Ooh, yeah
We're born by the river now
You know, she'll die by the river now
Yeah, yeah, huummm
Badlands's song "River" tells a story about growing up in an industrial town, struggling with poverty and addiction, and feeling trapped by a life that seems predetermined. The singer is reflecting on his past and the struggles that he and his family have faced living in an old steel town. He mentions his brother John who is addicted to heroin and how everyone thinks he's cool, but the singer sees the pain and emptiness behind his eyes. He then reflects on his mother who sacrificed so much to keep the family together, and how they all dream of a better life outside of the town.
The lyrics are filled with symbolism, particularly the river, which represents both birth and death. The singer notes that both he and his brother were born by a river, and suggests that they will both die there too. The river also represents the passing of time and the flow of life, and the singer recognizes that his own river has run dry. He feels like life has drained him of all his energy and hope.
Throughout the song, there is a sense of longing for something more, for a life beyond the steel town and the struggles that come with it. The final lines, "We're born by the river now, you know, she'll die by the river now, yeah, yeah, huummm" suggest that, despite their circumstances, there is a connection between everyone in the town, and that they are all in this together.
Overall, "River" is a powerful song that speaks to the human experience of struggling against the odds, longing for something more, and feeling trapped by the circumstances of our birth.
Line by Line Meaning
Just a young man in an old steel town
I am a youthful man living in an antiquated steel-mill town.
I'm getting older now, it's time to look around
I'm getting older, so it's time for me to broaden my horizons and seek out new opportunities.
My brother John loves his needle & spoon
My brother John is addicted to injecting drugs and regularly uses a spoon to cook heroin.
A cigarette hangs from his lip
He always has a cigarette dangling from his lips, indicating his addiction to nicotine.
Everyone 'round thinks he's so bad
Most people in our community consider him to be a menace to society.
He's really not that cool, no
Despite his image, he isn't someone to be admired or envied.
And I know the reasons why
I know why my brother has been compelled to resort to drugs.
Deep inside he's not alive
My brother is hollow inside and is merely existing and not living his life to its fullest potential.
He was born by a river
He was born beside a river.
You know he'll die by the river now
It is likely that he will perish beside the river, similar to how he was born.
'Cause deep inside my river's run dry
I feel empty and without direction in life.
So many times did mother swallow her pride
My mother has swallowed her pride frequently.
Just to keep my old man's dreams alive
She has done so to keep my father's aspirations afloat.
And I know, and I know someday we're gonna move on outta here
I believe that someday we will be able to leave this place and start over somewhere else.
She says 'Jesus, Lord, don't give me no bad thoughts and bury me here.'
My mother frequently prays that she won't be buried in this place when she passes away.
Oh, take hold my hand and pray
Hold my hand, and let's offer a prayer together.
Someday baby we're gonna find a way
Eventually, we will be able to overcome the difficulties we are facing.
I know the reasons why
I understand why my mother is committed to helping us achieve our objectives in life.
'Cause deep inside she lost her life
My mother's spirit has been crushed because of the tough living conditions.
You know, we'll die by the river now
It is likely that we will pass away beside the river, similar to how we were born beside it.
Yeah, yeah, huummm
The chorus is being repeated.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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