Bourgeois, who was born in New Orleans, Louisiana and grew up in Dallas, Texas, moved with Tagg to the Bay Area after high school. In 1984, they moved to Sacramento and formed Bourgeois Tagg with guitarist Lyle Workman, drummer Mike Urbano, and keyboardist Scott Moon. Bourgeois played keyboards, Tagg played bass, and the two shared lead vocals.
The first Bourgeois Tagg album spawned two singles: "Mutual Surrender (What a Wonderful World)" performed well, if briefly, at college radio and got some dance/club play, but "The Perfect Life" didn't fare as well. Promotional video clips were produced for both clips, which received limited play.
In 1987, the band recorded their second album, Yoyo, with esteemed producer Todd Rundgren. When it was released in the autumn of that year, the band had their biggest hit with its first single, "I Don't Mind At All", a shimmering, melancholy ballad of resignation whose catchy melody, offbeat rhythm, and dramatic use of strings is reminiscent of classic Beatles songs, such as "Yesterday". It peaked near #10 on Billboard's top singles chart, and was a bigger world-wide hit, fueled at least in part by an innovative video that got heavy airplay on MTV, but the follow-up single, "Waiting For the Worm to Turn" (the first single with a lead vocal by Tagg), failed to chart.
Eventually, a schism developed between Bourgeois and his bandmates. Sources give different reasons for the split, usually citing Bourgeois' recovery from the abuse of alcohol and drugs, and his increasing interest in more literal exploration of Christian and recovery themes in the band's work. All five members of Bourgeois Tagg appear on Todd Rundgren's 1989 album Nearly Human, and it is presumed that the band officially broke up during that time; Tagg, Urbano, and Workman went on tour as part of Rundgren's backing band, which is documented on the 2003 archival release of Nearly Human Tour - Japan '90.
Bourgeois signed a solo recording deal with Virgin offshoot Charisma Records around that time, and his self-titled album was released in 1990. Produced by rock veteran Danny Kortchmar, Brent Bourgeois featured guest appearances by Christine McVie and Rick Vito of Fleetwood Mac, among others, and the track "Can't Feel the Pain" was co-written with former bandmate Lyle Workman, who also plays guitar on that song. The first single, "Dare to Fall in Love", is a lush ballad that resembles some of the popular R&B at the time, while maintaining Bourgeois' vocal style and unique lyrical sensibility. Again, in spite of an eye-catching video that received a moderate amount of play, especially on VH1, it became only a minor hit, and the album did not sell well. In 1992, he released another solo album called A Matter of Feel. Virtually ignored by all radio and video outlets, the album fell on deaf ears and sold even less than its predecessor; most notable is the track "I'm Down With You", which was co-written with Robert Palmer. Bourgeois parted ways with Charisma shortly thereafter.
Although he had never made a secret of his beliefs before, any references to Christianity in his lyrics had been largely metaphorical up to that point; the friction that it caused with the more secular-minded Larry Tagg could be cited as a both positive and negative motivational factor for both of them during the time that they worked together. In 1995, he returned with another solo album, Come Join the Living World - this time on Reunion Records, a Contemporary Christian label - and a renewed, more literal focus on Christian themes, which he has maintained throughout his career ever since. The album spawned four #1 songs on Christian radio. Over the last decade, Bourgeois has become more well-known in the CCM world for his songwriting and production work for acts such as Michael W. Smith, Jars of Clay, 4Him, Jaci Velasquez, Michelle Tumes, and Cindy Morgan. He was the vice-president of A&R at Word Records in Nashville for five years between 1997-2001, and signed such notable artists as Nicole C. Mullen and Rachael Lampa. Bourgeois is married and has four children and currently resides in Elk Grove, California.
Other Bourgeois Tagg alumni: Lyle Workman has performed as a session musician ever since the dissolution of Bourgeois Tagg, but has more recently been working with the band "Jellyfish (band)" in the 90's, in films (he composed the scores for Jon Favreau's 2001 mob-wannabe comedy "Made", and, more recently, the 2005 hit comedy "The 40-Year-Old Virgin") and video games (2005's "Guitar Hero", naturally).
Heart of Darkness
Bourgeois Tagg Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Paint your face and paint your skin, no
Shatter the peace, there's a war to win
Paint your face and paint your skin, no
When you're in the, in the heart of darkness
Stare at the fire, feel the thrill
When you hear the drum and you can't stand still
'Cause the call of the wild calls you still
When you're in the, in the heart of darkness
When you're in the, in the heart
In everyone there is a place for two people
In every heart there is another heart
In everyone there is a place for two people
In every heart there is another heart
When you're in the, in the heart (heart, heart)
(No-no-no-no-no) no more staying in tune
There is a wild child in the middle of you, no
Get on all fours and bay at the moon
No one understands what you do, whoa
When you're in the, in the heart
In everyone there is a place for two people
In every heart there is another heart
In everyone there is a place for two people
In every heart there is another heart
In everyone there is a place for two people
In every heart there is another heart
In everyone there is a place for two people
In every heart there is another heart (every other heart)
In everyone there is a place for two people
In every heart there is another heart
In everyone there is a place for two people
In every heart there is another heart (every other heart)
In everyone there is a place for two people
In every heart there is another heart
The lyrics in Bourgeois Tagg's "Heart of Darkness" seem to touch upon the inner turmoil of human nature and the call of the wild that can sometimes consume us. The lyrics suggest a sense of violence and rebellion, encouraging the listener to "corner the beast" and "shatter the peace". The repeated phrase "paint your face and paint your skin" implies a sense of disguise or hiding one's true self, perhaps to better fit in with the darkness.
The chorus emphasizes the duality of human nature, suggesting that there is room for two people in everyone and another heart in every heart. This reinforces the idea that we all have an inner darkness and light within us, and that we must navigate those conflicting sides of ourselves.
In the second verse, the song delves into the idea of the call of the wild, likening it to hearing a drumbeat and feeling the thrill of the unknown. The line "Man on a wire, you take a spill" suggests that this urge toward rebellion and wildness can be dangerous, leading one to take risks and potentially fail. The final verse encourages the listener to embrace their wilder side, to "get on all fours and bay at the moon", despite the fact that "no one understands what you do". This final sentiment speaks to the isolation and loneliness that can come with embracing one's own darkness.
Line by Line Meaning
Corner the beast, twist the knife in
Provoke and challenge the dangerous side of yourself to bring it out into the open
Paint your face and paint your skin, no
Embrace your inner wildness and let it show through your physical appearance
Shatter the peace, there's a war to win
Disrupt the status quo and fight to claim your place in the world
When you're in the, in the heart of darkness
When you are facing the most difficult, frightening parts of yourself and life
Stare at the fire, feel the thrill
Experience the rush of danger and excitement as you face your fears and challenges
When you hear the drum and you can't stand still
When the call to action and adventure is too strong to resist
Man on a wire, you take a spill
Taking risks and pushing yourself to the limit can be dangerous and lead to failure
'Cause the call of the wild calls you still
Even when it is difficult or dangerous, your deep inner nature urges you on
When you're in the, in the heart of darkness
When you are facing the most difficult, frightening parts of yourself and life
In everyone there is a place for two people
Everyone has the capacity for duality within themselves
In every heart there is another heart
Even within yourself, there are multitudes of emotions and desires
No-no-no-no-no) no more staying in tune
Reject conformity and the expectations of others
There is a wild child in the middle of you, no
You possess a part of yourself that is free-spirited and unpredictable
Get on all fours and bay at the moon
Fully embrace your wild nature, no matter how strange or unconventional it may seem to others
No one understands what you do, whoa
Others may not understand or accept your choices and actions
In everyone there is a place for two people
Everyone has the capacity for duality within themselves
In every heart there is another heart
Even within yourself, there are multitudes of emotions and desires
In everyone there is a place for two people
Everyone has the capacity for duality within themselves
In every heart there is another heart
Even within yourself, there are multitudes of emotions and desires
In everyone there is a place for two people
Everyone has the capacity for duality within themselves
In every heart there is another heart
Even within yourself, there are multitudes of emotions and desires
In everyone there is a place for two people
Everyone has the capacity for duality within themselves
In every heart there is another heart
Even within yourself, there are multitudes of emotions and desires
Contributed by Alaina K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.