Thorpe also performed as a solo artist; he relocated to the United States from 1976 to 1996 where he released the space opera Children of the Sun, which peaked in the top 40 of the Billboard Pop Album chart in 1979. He worked with ex-Aztec Tony Barber to form a soft toy company in 1987 and co-wrote stories for The Puggle Tales and Tales from the Lost Forests. Thorpe also worked as a producer and composed music scores for TV series including War of the Worlds, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Columbo, Eight Is Enough and Hard Time on Planet Earth.
Thorpe returned to Australia in 1996 and continued as a performer and producer, additionally he authored two autobiographies, Sex and Thugs and Rock 'n' Roll (1996) and Most People I Know (Think That I'm Crazy) (1998). According to Australian rock music historian Ian McFarlane, "Thorpie evolved from child star, beat pop sensation and cuddly pop crooner to finally emerge as the country's wildest and heaviest blues rocker [...] Thorpie was the unassailable monarch of Australian rock music". Thorpe was inducted into the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Hall of Fame in 1991. He died of a myocardial infarction in February 2007 and was posthumously appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in June for his contribution to music as a musician, songwriter and producer.
1991
Billy Thorpe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Too many people lost their lives,
to the heat of the man-made suns.
For years the people tried,
to keep the world alive.
But mother Earth was dying,
from the college that was (unknown).
(Nineteen hundred and ninety-one!)
Gigantic ships arrived,
to save the millions that survived.
And the entire population left,
with these children from the sky.
They're all travelers in time.
Their journey had begun.
They left the Earth forever,
for the kingdoms of the sun.
(To the kingdoms of the sun)
(Now their journey has begun)
(Moms, fathers, sons, and daughters,
from the world your time has come.
Leave the planet Earth forever,
for the kingdoms of the sun.
Moms, fathers, sons, and daughters,
from the world your time has come.
Leave the planet Earth forever,
for the kingdoms of the sun.)
The lyrics in Billy Thorpe's song "1991" explore the theme of a post-apocalyptic world where the Earth is dying, and humanity is left with no choice but to leave it behind. The year 1991 represents a turning point where "the big war had begun," and people lost their lives due to the "heat of the man-made suns," which could be interpreted as a reference to nuclear weapons or environmental destruction caused by human activities. The lyrics suggest that even though the people tried to save the world, it was too little, too late, and Mother Earth was dying from an unknown cause.
However, in the midst of this chaos, gigantic ships arrived to save the remaining population. The survivors, along with their children, boarded these ships, becoming travelers in time. They left Earth forever for the kingdoms of the sun, which could symbolize a new dawn or a new era of hope. The song ultimately portrays leaving Earth as a sacrifice that must be made to ensure the survival of humanity and the possibility of a better future.
Overall, "1991" is a thought-provoking song that raises questions about humanity's relationship with the environment and the consequences of our actions.
Line by Line Meaning
In 1991, the big war had begun.
The year 1991 marked the beginning of a huge war.
Too many people lost their lives,
The loss of life was considerable and tragic.
to the heat of the man-made suns.
The destruction was caused by nuclear explosions.
For years the people tried,
Society made significant efforts.
to keep the world alive.
In order to maintain the planet's survival.
But mother Earth was dying,
The planet was slowly being depleted.
from the college that was (unknown).
The cause was uncertain.
(In 1991, In 1991, In 1991)
Repeating the year 1991.
(Nineteen hundred and ninety-one!)
Stating the year 1991 in numerical form.
Gigantic ships arrived,
Enormous space crafts made an appearance.
to save the millions that survived.
To rescue the surviving population.
And the entire population left,
Everyone departed together.
with these children from the sky.
Accompanied by extraterrestrial beings.
They're all travelers in time.
All of them are time travelers.
Their journey had begun.
Their voyage started.
They left the Earth forever,
They departed Earth indefinitely.
for the kingdoms of the sun.
To realms ruled by the sun.
(To the kingdoms of the sun)
Referencing the destination again.
(Now their journey has begun)
Emphasizing the start of the journey.
(Moms, fathers, sons, and daughters,
Addressing specific family members.
from the world your time has come.
It's time for them to depart the world.
Leave the planet Earth forever,
They are encouraged to depart Earth permanently.
for the kingdoms of the sun.
Once more, the destination is mentioned.
(Moms, fathers, sons, and daughters,
Reiterating specific family members.
from the world your time has come.
Concluding that it is time for them to leave the planet.
Leave the planet Earth forever,
Repeating their encouragement to leave Earth permanently.
for the kingdoms of the sun.
Repeating the destination once more.
Contributed by Jeremiah F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@kerberos8326
(Official lyrics from my vinyl collection's lyrics sheet:)
In 1991, The Big War had begun
2 billion people lost their lives
in the heat of the manmade suns
For years the people tried
to keep the world alive
but Mother Earth was dying
from the carnage that was done
CHORUS:
In 1991, in 1991, in 1991
Nineteen hundred and ninety-one
Gigantic ships arrived
to save the millions that survived
and the entire population left
with the Children from the Sky
Now travellers in time
their journey has begun
they left the earth forever
for the Kingdoms of the Sun
Mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters
of the world your time has come
to leave the planet earth, forever
for the kingdoms of the sun
@benrowe398
This song used to haunt My dreams as a Child!
@Damaged262
RIP Billy, you really knew how to rock a venue!
@MrManfly
love this song and the whole album, which i bought back then and still have!!
@mich0008
me the same
@jamesmcilnay
AAAaaaaalllright!!! Thank you for posting this! I've looked for years for a copy of 21st Century Man! I wore my cassette out! ..an unrecognized classic!
@blampfno
I was raised on this album. Great stuff. Definitely out there.
@dacybaxter5925
Thank you whom ever put these out God bless you
@danmiller10
Saw Billy in concert in Colorado Springs and this was opening song. Great concert, amazing musician!
@paulcleary9694
Why was Bill not bigger in the USA?
@danmiller10
I have no idea. He was an amazing artist!