Isaak's music can be described as a blend of country, blues, rock'n'roll, pop and surf rock.
He signed a contract to Warner Brothers Records in 1984 for his first album "Silvertone". Isaak's contract was renewed in 1988 when Warner moved him to their Reprise Records label.
His best-known song is "Wicked Game". Though released on the 1989 album "Heart Shaped World", an instrumental version of the song was later featured in the David Lynch film 'Wild at Heart' (and also years later in the 2000 film The Family Man). An Atlanta radio station DJ began playing the full version and it quickly became a nation-wide top ten hit. The music video for the song was directed by Herb Ritts and was a big MTV and VH1 hit; shot in black and white, it starred Isaak and model Helena Christensen rolling on the beach, embracing and whispering in each others' ears.
In 1999, Isaak's "Baby Did A Bad, Bad Thing" was featured in Stanley Kubrick's final film 'Eyes Wide Shut', starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman.
In 2001, Chris Isaak starred in his own television show, 'The Chris Isaak Show'. It aired from March 2001 to March 2004 in the United States on the cable television network Showtime. This adult comedy show featured Chris Isaak and his band playing themselves with the episode plots based on fictional accounts of the backstage world of Chris Isaak - the rock star next door.
In 2004, his track "Life Will Go On" was featured on the 'Chasing Liberty' soundtrack, which starred Mandy Moore and Matthew Goode.
He hosted a talk show on the Biography cable channel in the United States in 2009 that offered a unique twist - each guest was a musical artist, and both Chris and the artist performed various songs throughout each show. Eight episodes aired in early 2009, featuring guests Trisha Yearwood, Stevie Nicks, Glen Campbell, Michael Buble, Chicago, The Smashing Pumpkins, Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens), and Jewel.
Isaak has also appeared in numerous films, mostly playing minor cameo roles, though he starred with Keanu Reeves and Bridget Fonda in the 1993 Bernardo Bertolucci-directed 'Little Buddha', and also played a major role in David Lynch's 'Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me' (1992). Other motion pictures include 'Married to the Mob' (1988), 'The Silence of the Lambs' (1991), 'That Thing You Do!' (1996), and 'A Dirty Shame' (2004). He also guest-starred on the Super Bowl Sunday (1996) edition of the television sitcom Friends and on the HBO miniseries, From the Earth to the Moon (HBO).
Chris is also an amateur boxer, avid surfer and a former Golden Gloves champion.
Expect The New Girl
Chris Isaak Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Alone without a friend
Girls walk by you, some in fact have tried you
But once they tried they never tried again
[Chorus]
Except the new girl
Except the new girl
Alone and lonesome, trusting no one they say
You've never had a friend
People talk about you, they say they doubt you really
Ever let anybody in
[Chorus]
I guess there's never been anyone
[Chorus]
Last time I saw him, he was laughing
She was standing by his side
I've got a feeling, that they're still together
From the look that was in his eyes
There's no one
[Chorus]
See him smile, he don't care
Says he loves her, and he'll always love her
See him smile, it seems fair
That he finally found her, finally hold her
There's no one
[Chorus]
Except the new girl
The lyrics of Chris Isaak's song Expect The New Girl describe a man who appears to be lonely and unapproachable. The song paints a picture of a man who is closed off and uninterested in connecting with others, despite the fact that women have shown an interest in him. The opening lines of the song indicate that the man in question drives his mustang to where he hangs out, but that he is always alone and without friends. Women pass him by, but they quickly lose interest in him after trying to get close to him. However, the refrain of the song suggests that there may be hope for him yet, as the new girl might break through his barriers.
The second verse of the song suggests that people talk about him and doubt whether he is capable of letting anyone in. He appears to be a lonely figure who has never had a friend. Despite this, however, the chorus repeats the refrain that the new girl might be the one to finally connect with him. The third verse of the song describes the man as happy and in love with someone, and it's suggested that this might be the new girl. Overall, the song is a poignant commentary on the difficulty of connecting with others and the hope that love and friendship can offer.
Line by Line Meaning
Drive your mustang down, to where you hang out
You go to the place where you spend your time in your car, your Mustang.
Alone without a friend
You are by yourself, without companionship.
Girls walk by you, some in fact have tried you
Women have attempted to start a relationship with you.
But once they tried they never tried again
However, their efforts were futile and they gave up after one attempt.
Except the new girl
The exception to this pattern is the most recent woman to show interest in you.
Alone and lonesome, trusting no one they say
Despite being lonely, people say that you do not trust anyone.
You've never had a friend
They also suggest that you have never had a true friend.
People talk about you, they say they doubt you really
Others discuss their reservations about whether you truly ever let anyone into your life.
Ever let anybody in
They believe that you have never allowed someone to get close to you.
I guess there's never been anyone
You yourself may recognize that you have never allowed anyone into your life in a genuine way.
Last time I saw him, he was laughing
The last time the singer saw you, you were laughing.
She was standing by his side
Your current partner was present with you.
I've got a feeling, that they're still together
The singer suspects that you and your partner are still in a relationship.
From the look that was in his eyes
This observation is based on the expression they saw on your face at the time.
See him smile, he don't care
You appear happy with your current situation and unconcerned about what others may think.
Says he loves her, and he'll always love her
You declare your love for your partner and express your intention to continue loving them.
See him smile, it seems fair
The artist believes that it is reasonable for you to be content and joyful.
That he finally found her, finally hold her
They understand that you appreciate having found your partner and being able to hold her.
There's no one
You are no longer alone as you have found someone with whom you have built a meaningful relationship.
Except the new girl
The newest woman who came into your life stands out as the one who managed to enter your life and change your pattern of loneliness.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHRIS ISAAK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind