The band released a demo titled 'In America' in 1986, which journeyman drummer Tony Destra reportedly played on. Labeled sometimes as a sort of 'younger sister' of band Cinderella ("whence they got their image, guitar player, and record contract" as recounted by one critic), the quartet managed to break through in a big way. The band's self-titled debut album, released in 1988, was one of the most successful premieres of the 1988-89 season, selling more than one million copies and bringing more than 625,000 fans to their 130+ shows. They also won Metal Edge Magazine's 1988 Reader's Choice Award for Best New Band. Highlights of their early work include the top 40 rock hit "Long Way to Love" and the fan favorite "Girlschool".
Sadly, the band appeared saddled with the reputation of having peaked too early. After the release of the band's second album in 1989, titled 'Boys in Heat' and bringing in notable producer Neil Kernon, Davidson departed, and he formed the band Blackeyed Susan. Though appearing at first to be a fatal wound to the group, he was replaced by Las Vegas native Tommy Paris, who had a very similar vocal style. Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Zakk Wylde and Poison drummer Rikki Rockett guested on the band's third album, 'Bite Down Hard', which was released in 1991. However, the popularity of glam metal was on a decline around the time of the album's release due to the rising popularity of the 90s alternative or grunge movement. Britny Fox disbanded in 1992.
As referred to before, Michael Kelly Smith was previously in an early version of fellow Philadelphia glam metal band Cinderella until his dismissal, and later Tony Destra also played with them. Also, drummer Adam West, formerly of Tangier, played for Britny Fox briefly between the time of Tony Destra and Johnny Dee.
Britny Fox reunited in 2001 with the same line-up before their disbandment, and they released a fourth studio album, called 'Springhead Motorshark', in 2003. While well-received by fans, the album picked up mixed critical reviews. The band had summer U.S. and European tours in 2007 and 2008. Guitarist Tommy Krash and drummer Henry Now joined at that time. As of late 2007, Britny Fox reformed under original bassist Billy Childs. The other former members of this line-up were lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Jamie Fletcher, lead guitarist Greg Polcari, and drummer Henry Now.
Bassist Billy Childs had a minor but billed role in the horror film Incest Death Squad (2009). Childs is currently playing bass in the North American Led Zeppelin tribute band Get the Led Out.
In 2010, "Dizzy" Dean Davidson unsuccessfully attempted to reunite the surviving members of the original line-up.
On April 25, 2015, the band announced that they had reunited with bassist Billy Childs, drummer Johnny Dee, long-time singer/rhythm guitarist Tommy Paris and new lead guitarist Chris Sanders as their line-up and that they are recording a new album. This lineup played six shows in 2015 and eight shows in 2016, but none since. Their last performance, on a Monsters of Rock cruise in October 2016, ended with several dozen mostly middle-aged women dancing wildly to the song "Girlschool". In a 2017 interview, Childs stated that the album project had been abandoned, but he stopped short of saying that the band had broken up. In 2018, Sanders joined Britny Fox's rival band Ratt.
Line-Ups
(1985–1987) Dean Davidson – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
Michael Kelly Smith – lead guitar, backing vocals
Billy Childs – bass, backing vocals
Tony Destra – drums, other percussion
(1987) Dean Davidson – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
Michael Kelly Smith – lead guitar, backing vocals
Billy Childs – bass, backing vocals
Adam West – drums, percussion
(1987–1989) Dean Davidson – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
Michael Kelly Smith – lead guitar, backing vocals
Billy Childs – bass, keyboards, backing vocals
Johnny Dee – drums, percussion, backing vocals
(1990–2006) Tommy Paris – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards
Michael Kelly Smith – lead guitar, backing vocals
Billy Childs – bass, backing vocals
Johnny Dee – drums, percussion, backing vocals
(2007) Tommy Paris – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards
Greg Polcari – lead guitar, backing vocals
Billy Childs – bass, backing vocals
Henry Now – drums, percussion, backing vocals
(2008–present) Jamie Fletcher – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
Greg Polcari – lead guitar, backing vocals
Billy Childs – bass, backing vocals
Henry Now – drums, percussion, backing vocals
Discography
=Studio Albums=
Britny Fox (1988)
Boys in Heat (1989)
Bite Down Hard (1991)
Springhead Motorshark (2003)
=Live Albums=
Long Way to Live! (2000)
Live at Froggy's (2001)
=Compilation Album=
The Best of Britny Fox (1988)
Extended Versions (2006)
=Singles=
" Long Way to Love" (U.S. #100)
" Girlschool" (U.S. #81)
" Save the Weak"
" Dream On"
" Louder"
=Demos=
In America (1986)
The Bite Down Hard Demo Sessions (2003)
Black and White
Britny Fox Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Her laser lies cuttin' you through
Woman don't you waste it only wanna taste it
No-talk session for you
Sex-ya on the red line lookin' lookin' so fine
She's comin' again
Struttin' down a backstreet a walk that makes you wanna eat
Backbreak tales push you to the rails
Angel flyin' high in the sky
Underground terror takin her share
Getcha baby everytime
Stadium sexpot she'll rock your sox off
Then she's runnin' your mouth
Listening to you
No clue - no clout
You tell the truth you tell a lie
Which one is it gonna be tonight?
You tell the truth you tell a lie
With you girl it's never black and white
Dazzle me later cut loose trader
Lashing nuclear tongue
Kickin' out slander losin' your gander
Shuttin' you off you're done
Thine sensation phony aberration drinkin' up all your lies
So cut me like a saw, love me like 2 girls and I let it slide
Never
mind the words that Britny Fox sings because they're not the main point. The song "Black & White" is actually a commentary on the complexity and ambiguity of relationships, particularly when it comes to trust and honesty. The repeated line "You tell the truth you tell a lie / With you girl it's never black and white" suggests that the singer is struggling with trying to figure out where he stands with this woman. The other verses seem to be describing different women, but the point is the same: they're all elusive, mysterious, unpredictable. The liplock warrior, the sex-ya on the red line, and the stadium sexpot are all objectified as objects of desire, but never fully understood or known.
The overall tone of the song is one of frustration and confusion, as the singer seems to be at a loss as to how to deal with these women. The short "no-talk session" and "listening to you / no clue - no clout" seem to suggest that communication is a problem. Even when he tries to "tell the truth" or "tell a lie," he can never be sure what the outcome will be. The final lines about "cut me like a saw, love me like 2 girls and I let it slide" suggest a kind of desperation, a willingness to put up with anything just to maintain some kind of connection.
Line by Line Meaning
Liplock warrior only got a story
A woman who will only kiss and never commit to a real relationship.
Her laser lies cuttin' you through
Her words are sharp and hurt, like a laser cutting through skin.
Woman don't you waste it only wanna taste it
She wants to experience pleasure, without any commitments or strings attached.
No-talk session for you
She is not interested in having a conversation, only sexual activity.
Sex-ya on the red line lookin' lookin' so fine
A sexually attractive woman on a subway train that catches the attention of the singer.
She's comin' again
She will continue to appear in the singer's desires and fantasies.
Struttin' down a backstreet a walk that makes you wanna eat
A woman walks with a confident and seductive strut that creates desire in the singer.
Sweet-treat lover to lend for you--
A woman who is good at providing pleasure, but not interested in emotional connection.
Backbreak tales push you to the rails
Difficult and intense sexual experiences that push the singer to his limits.
Angel flyin' high in the sky
A woman who is out of reach and inaccessible, like an angel in the sky.
Underground terror takin her share
A woman who has a reputation for being fierce and aggressive in bed.
Getcha baby everytime
She always gets what she wants in sexual encounters.
Stadium sexpot she'll rock your sox off
A woman who is extremely attractive and talented in bed, and can provide intense pleasure.
Then she's runnin' your mouth
She will not reciprocate the favors and will leave the singer unsatisfied.
Listening to you
She is pretending to listen to the singer, but is not really interested in his thoughts or feelings.
No clue - no clout
The singer is powerless and clueless in the face of the woman's seductive powers.
You tell the truth you tell a lie
The woman is not consistent and may change her story or intentions.
Which one is it gonna be tonight?
The singer is uncertain about what the woman wants or expects from their encounter.
With you girl it's never black and white
The woman's intentions and desires are not clear and can be confusing to the singer.
Dazzle me later cut loose trader
The singer is willing to be dazzled and seduced by the woman, but does not want anything long-term or committed.
Lashing nuclear tongue
The woman can be verbally aggressive and hurtful, like a nuclear explosion.
Kickin' out slander losin' your gander
The woman is rejecting any accusations or rumors about her, and causing the singer to lose his confidence and desire.
Shuttin' you off you're done
The woman is ending any possibility of further connection or relationship with the singer.
Thine sensation phony aberration drinkin' up all your lies
The woman is not genuine or authentic, and is only interested in hearing what she wants to hear.
So cut me like a saw, love me like 2 girls and I let it slide
The singer is willing to endure painful experiences and accept a lack of emotional connection, as long as he can experience physical pleasure.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ROSS COPPERMAN, CAITLYN SMITH, CARRIE UNDERWOOD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind