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
Long Time Loving You
Balaam and the Angel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You just strut hang around
Drive me insane with what you wear
Nothing much I do declare
I've been all up I've been all down
I hang my head all over town
I been about all night
Just got it way deep down inside
I'm a long time loving you
Smiles that mean delight
All the thoughts you know are right
I've been around & I've been down
Passed away and helped around
You know it turns me on
I like the way you do things wrong
High school in doubt oh no
I know I'm crazy but I love you so
Hey young girl take a look at me now
I'm a long time loving you
Hey take it easy
Come get easy do you like what you see
The lyrics to Balaam And The Angel's song Long Time Loving You is a rocker's testament to his love and adoration for a girl, who captures his attention with her charm and stunning looks. He laments that he is unable to resist her seductive presence and finds himself going insane with desire. Regardless of what she wears, she drives him to hang his head in shame all over town. He has been about all night trying to shake off his emotions but is unable to, as they run way too deep inside him.
He confesses that it has been a long time loving her and that her smile means delight to him. He likes the way she does things wrong, and it turns him on. Being around her makes him happy, and he knows he is crazy but still loves her passionately. As the song speaks to the youthful indiscretions and follies of loving someone you can't have, he urges her to take it easy, and if she likes what she sees, she should come and get it easy.
The song is a fantastic blend of punk, rock, and new wave, which was a trademark sound of Balaam and The Angel in the 80s.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't stop you now
I am unable to control you
You just strut hang around
You walk proudly and loiter
Drive me insane with what you wear
Your clothing unsettles me
Nothing much I do declare
I must admit there is nothing I can do
I've been all up I've been all down
I have experienced ups and downs
I hang my head all over town
I am ashamed all over town
I been about all night
I have been out all night
Just got it way deep down inside
I have an intense feeling deep inside
Hey young girl take a look at me now
Hey young girl, look at me now
I'm a long time loving you
I have loved you for a long time
Smiles that mean delight
Smiles that show happiness
All the thoughts you know are right
All the thoughts you have are correct
I've been around & I've been down
I have been through a lot
Passed away and helped around
I have experienced death and have been helpful to others
You know it turns me on
You know it excites me
I like the way you do things wrong
I find it attractive when you do things incorrectly
High school in doubt oh no
High school is uncertain, oh no
I know I'm crazy but I love you so
I acknowledge that I am insane but I still love you
Hey young girl take a look at me now
Hey young girl, look at me now
I'm a long time loving you
I have loved you for a long time
Hey take it easy
Hey, calm down
Come get easy do you like what you see
Come relax, do you like what you observe
Lyrics © THE BICYCLE MUSIC COMPANY
Written by: DESMOND MORRIS, JAMES SAMUEL MORRIS, MARK JOSEPH MORRIS, STEVE BROWN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind