The three founding members of the band are Scottish brothers; the Morris brothers (James Morris, Mark Morris and Des Morris). As children in Motherwell, they worked in the entertainment industry as part of a cabaret act. They moved south to England, to Cannock, Staffordshire, where they formed Balaam and the Angel.
1985 saw the band augment their line up with keyboard player ‘Wendy Harper’.
Initially, the band self-released a series of EPs via their own Chapter 22 label and played some tour dates opening for The Cult. This saw Balaam and the Angel catch the attention of Virgin Records who signed them and would release their debut "The Greatest Story Ever Told" in 1986. They toured in support of it in the United States with KISS and label mates Iggy Pop.
A second guitarist, and the first non sibling was added to the band in 1988; Ian McKean. The band began to move away from gothic rock music styles into a sound that had more in common with hard rock. With their new found style they recorded the album "Live Free or Die", which featured the minor rock (#13) and college radio (#18) hit "I Love the Things You Do to Me". This was soon followed up in similar style when they recorded "Days of Madness", before being dropped by Virgin Records. Their song "I'll Show You Something Special" is on the Steve Martin and John Candy movie "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" soundtrack.
At some point, the band were joined by Chris P Notes on Keyboards.
Albums
1985 Sun Family
1987 The Greatest Story Ever Told
1988 Live Free or Die
1989 Days of Madness
1991 No More Innocence
1993 Prime Time
2019 That's Not The Real World
www.balaamandtheangel.co.uk
I Love The Things You Do To Me
Balaam and the Angel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Running down the tracks of time
For so long
All the things that you do to get so high
You drink the sea and smoke the sky
But no more
To hide the pain inside
I love the things you do to me
But I know I can't help you now
There's a place and you go there without me
It covers you in mystery
For so long
There's a look in your eyes heroine
I can't believe the state you're in
Anymore
Despite the pain inside
I love the things you do to me
I love the things you say to me
But I know I can't help you now
In these lyrics, Balaam and The Angel express their deep love and concern for someone who is struggling with addiction. The first two lines introduce the idea of a train running on the wrong line, symbolizing the person's life heading in the wrong direction. The mention of the "tracks of time" suggests that this person has been on this destructive path for a long time.
The next lines describe the person's addiction and their attempts to feel good or escape from their problems. They drink the sea and smoke the sky, which are hyperbolic expressions of their substance abuse. The songwriter understands that the person is using these things to hide their pain.
The chorus then reveals the singer's feelings of love for this person despite their addiction. The next verse suggests that there is a specific place the person goes to get high, which is mysterious to the singer. The line "There's a look in your eyes heroine" references the narcotic and how it's affecting the person. Despite their addiction, the songwriter still loves the things this person does and says to them, but they realize they can't help the person on their own.
Overall, the lyrics reflect a deep concern and sympathy for someone dealing with addiction. It's a reminder that addiction can affect anyone, and it's important to show compassion and support to those who may be struggling.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a train in your mind on the wrong line
Your thoughts and decisions are headed in the wrong direction, like a train on the wrong track.
Running down the tracks of time
Your actions are following the path of time, leading you further astray.
For so long
This has been happening for a while now, without any resolution.
All the things that you do to get so high
You do anything and everything to achieve a feeling of happiness or euphoria.
You drink the sea and smoke the sky
You're willing to do extreme things to experience that high, even if it doesn't make sense.
But no more
It's time to stop these harmful habits.
To hide the pain inside
You're using these habits to cover up some internal pain or struggle.
I love the things you do to me
Even though I care for you, I can't continue to enable these bad habits and actions.
I love the things you say to me
Despite everything, I appreciate the good times we've had and the love we share.
But I know I can't help you now
I'm aware that I can't force you to change or fix your situation, no matter how much I care.
There's a place and you go there without me
You have secrets and parts of your life that I'm not involved in or aware of.
It covers you in mystery
These unknown aspects of your life make you seem more enigmatic and puzzling to me.
There's a look in your eyes heroine
Your eyes seem glazed and unfocused, like someone under the influence of drugs.
I can't believe the state you're in
I'm shocked and saddened by your current condition.
Anymore
I can't ignore or deny the severity of the situation any longer.
Despite the pain inside
You're trying to cope with your own inner turmoil while dealing with these external issues.
Contributed by Jordyn S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Anomnomnomaly
My older brother introduced me to these guys in the mid 80's when I was just becoming a teenager... A few years later I got to see them live opening for The Cult in Birmingham in the UK.
My brother passed away 17yrs ago, but I still have all of his vinyl, amongst them several Balaam 12" singles, including this one.
@the80slivehere
I love Balaam and the Angel. 😃👍⭐🔥. I saw the band open for Iggy Pop at The Channel in Boston in the Summer of 1988 with my older brother. When Mark yelled, "didn't you [F-ING] love that song?" after this number, it became a running joke for my brother who did not care for the band. ☹. I became an eternal fan! Rock Always! - Heather
@williamb.8059
Brilliant. Love from Los Angeles!
@misandreamoss
Awesome to hear this band again. I saw them at JB's, King St, Dudley in the (late?) 80's. Glad to see they are still going :)
@Synthcatt
I have loved this song since the late 80's. I keep listening to the verses over and over..... expecially at 46 seconds,it hits me in the right spot. Been waitng to hear this song for 20 years!!!! God luv you guys.
@karentroyer9688
Same here!!:-)
@kermitkruse8541
So hard to believe they never got bigger. Great song writing and hooks.
I'm guessing management/internal drama. Too bad.
@myfavoritegroovy
I first saw Balaam in May 1987 when they opened for The Mission UK at The La Paloma Theatre in Solana Beach, CA. They rocked it hard onstage! Backstage, they were the most uninhibited, hilarious & nicest guys ever! This was my favorite song! Good memories! Thanks for posting!
@ravisingh-br1ym
Honestly they Rock nothing
@orsolaandrian4719
The guitarist especially..very cool nice guy