He has been active in the 00s and since, touring both as a single artist and as a member of the rotating supergroup 'Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band'. Before fronting the band titled in his name, Squire was the frontman of the power pop group Piper. Said band had some underground fame in the 70s before Squire left for bigger things.
Squier started off his solo career with May 1980's 'The Tale of the Tape'. Although a commercial breakthrough eluded him, the release spent three months on Billboard's album chart and gained a large fan response. Working with songwriter impresario Desmond Child and Kiss co-guitarist Bruce Kulick, his album also brought him praising critical reviews, noting his talent for meeting catchy pop hooks with aggressive guitars and vocals.
His 1981 follow-up, 'Don't Say No', shot his career into the stratosphere. It hit the Top Five on the Billboard album chart and remained on the chart for over two years (a total of 111 weeks). Getting RIAA certified as triple-platinum, singles such as "Lonely Is The Night" and "The Stroke" became staples of arena rock radio. His music from this album has popped up in variety of places such as in the comedy film 'Blades of Glory' and in the popular Guitar Hero video game series.
Squier's third album, 'Emotions in Motion', also picked up both critical praise, with Allmusic calling it a "slice of AOR heaven", and commercial acclaim. The album itself peaked at #5 on the Billboard 200 chart while singles such as "Everybody Wants You" and "Learn How To Live" achieved top 40 rock stardom. Squier also achieved notability both for his album cover, devised by famous artist Andy Warhol, and for his popular music videos, played often on MTV.
Massively successful touring with artists such as Queen had Squier labeled as one of the best hard rock artists of the decade. Still, 'what goes up, must come down', as the saying goes, and his next album would spell his downfall. 1984's 'Signs of Life' came out with initial good press, viewed as perhaps lacking the rock crunch of his previous affairs but still involving some catchy tunes. Single "Rock Me Tonite", released in June 1984 as the lead single, became his highest charting U.S. song, peaking at number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 and hitting the Top 10 on the Cash Box singles chart. It also returned him to #1 on the Top Rock Tracks chart in August of 1984.
Nevertheless, the music video for the song was the beginning of the end for this part of Squier's career. Popularly regarded as one of the worst ever music videos ever made, if not the worst, it shows Squier putting on a pink tank top and making effeminate dance moves around a bed with pastel-colored satin sheets while badly miming to the song, rolling around on the floor in several parts. Many viewers who saw it thought that it depicted the singer on drugs or pretending to be flamboyantly gay. It was directed by Kenny Ortega, who was the third director to be considered for the job.
After an acrimonious break from his label and also making other changes, Squier re-grouped and released 'Enough Is Enough' on September 27, 1986. Signed to Capitol Records, he achieved some success, with the album having peaked at #61 on the Billboard album chart, but failed to meet expectations. Some critics charged that the stress that he had been put under took its toll on his songwriting. Future releases over the next few years failed to change things as his popularity slid downwards, and he ultimately quit the music industry for several years in the 90s.
As stated before, he has been active in the 00s and since, touring both as a single artist and as a member of the rotating supergroup 'Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band'. More recently, a few live albums have come out featuring his music. He also has had several low-key tours.
Tied Up
Billy Squier Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You need some lovin' but your heart's tied up
Yeah
In the heart of the night, you come on like fire
In the light of dawn, leave me cold and tired
When you think of love tell me what you see
Feel the passion deep inside
It's in your blood and you just can't hide
You want some lovin' but your heart's tied up
Try to run but you can't so you stop
Hold me baby, take me higher
Take a chance, set your world on fire
You want some lovin' but your heart's tied up
Now the truth is out, honey can't you see?
Now I'm tied to you and you belong to me
When we get too close I feel you push away
Nothin' I do's gonna make you stay
Tears are clashin', worlds collide
You won't let go and you don't know why
You want some lovin' but your heart's tied up
Gimme fever, you burn me hot
Touch me baby, walk the wire
Tell me no, then your heart's a liar
You need some lovin' but your heart's tied up (tied up)
Try to run but you can't so you stop (tied up)
Hold me baby, take me higher
Take a chance, set your world on fire
You need some lovin' but your heart's tied up
Hold me baby, take me higher (take me higher)
Touch me baby, walk the wire
Roll me darlin', light my fire (light my fire)
Spread your wings and love somebody
You want some lovin' but your heart's tied up
Try to run but you can't so you stop
Hold me baby, take me higher
Take a chance, set your world on fire
You need some lovin' but your heart's tied up
Gimme fever, you burn me hot
Touch me baby, walk the wire
Tell me no, then your heart's a liar
You want some lovin' but your heart's tied up
You need some lovin' but your heart's tied, tied up
Tied up, tied up, tied up, tied up
You want some lovin' but your heart's tied up
Tied up, tied up, tied up, tied up
You need some lovin' but your heart's tied, tied up
Tied up, tied up, tied up, tied up
You want some lovin' but your heart's tied
Tied up, tied up, tied up, tied up
You need some lovin' but your heart's tied up
The lyrics to Billy Squier's song "Tied Up" are about a person who is unable to fully commit to a romantic relationship due to emotional baggage. The person desires love and passion, but their heart is "tied up" with past issues that prevent them from fully opening up to their partner. The singer pleads with this person to let go and take a chance on love, but the person remains hesitant and unsure. The chorus serves as a repetitive reminder of the person's internal struggle and their need for romantic fulfillment.
The song's use of metaphor highlights the internal conflict the person is experiencing. The line "You want some lovin' but your heart's tied up" compares the person's emotional state to being physically restrained. The line "Hold me baby, take me higher" could be interpreted as a plea for the person to let their emotions soar above the restraints of their past. Overall, the lyrics suggest that the person desires love but is unable to give themselves fully due to unresolved emotional issues.
Line by Line Meaning
You need some lovin' but your heart's tied up
You want to feel love, but you are unable to fully open up because of emotional baggage and past traumas.
In the heart of the night, you come on like fire
At night, when you're more relaxed and uninhibited, you express your desire with great intensity.
In the light of dawn, leave me cold and tired
But when the morning comes, and you have to face the reality, you become distant and uninterested.
When you think of love tell me what you see
Can you describe what love means to you and what kind of relationship you want?
And when you dream, do ya dream of me?
Am I on your mind even when you're asleep, or are you dreaming of someone else?
Feel the passion deep inside
You have a strong desire for physical and emotional connection.
It's in your blood and you just can't hide
This desire for love is a fundamental part of who you are, and you can't suppress it.
Now the truth is out, honey can't you see?
We are bound together in this relationship, and you can't deny that fact.
When we get too close I feel you push away
Whenever our relationship starts to become more intimate, you distance yourself emotionally and physically.
Nothin' I do's gonna make you stay
No matter how much effort I put into this relationship, you will eventually leave.
Tears are clashin', worlds collide
Our conflicting emotions and desires are causing us pain and tension in the relationship.
You won't let go and you don't know why
You're holding onto this relationship, but you're not sure why, considering how difficult it is for both of us.
Gimme fever, you burn me hot
Your desire for me is intense and passionate, making me feel wanted.
Touch me baby, walk the wire
You take risks and push boundaries to experience a deeper connection with me.
Tell me no, then your heart's a liar
You say you don't want to be in this relationship anymore, but your actions show otherwise.
Hold me baby, take me higher
Let's be physically intimate and experience the intense connection that comes with it.
Take a chance, set your world on fire
Take a risk and open yourself up emotionally, even if it's scary or uncomfortable.
You need some lovin' but your heart's tied, tied up
You crave love, but you're unable to fully experience it because of past emotional trauma that still affects you.
Spread your wings and love somebody
Open yourself up to love and give yourself fully to someone who deserves it.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Spirit Music Group
Written by: DESMOND CHILD, BILLY SQUIER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind