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.
Lets Have A Party
Chris Isaak Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I don't cry
I did my best
I don't know why
Somebody asked
To take my place
Another smile
Another face
Baby let's have a party
If you're leaving
Let me know
Let's have a party
If you're leaving
Tell me so
'Cause I don't want to feel
The way I feel right now
I don't want to feel
This hurt inside
Somehow
Let me know
Let me know
Everybody needs a friend
Yes they do
I'll be yours until the end
Just let me know
Let me know
This broken heart
Not much to show
Why be sad
Before we go
Baby let's have a party
If you're leaving let me know
Let's have a party
If you're leaving
Tell me so
'Cause I don't wanna feel
The way I feel right now
I don't wanna feel
It hurt inside
Somehow
So let me know
Let me know
Let me know
Let me know
Let's have a party
Let's have a party
Just you and me, baby
Let's have a party
Let's have a party
The lyrics of the song Let's Have A Party by Chris Isaak are about a person who is trying to cope with their heartbreak. The singer confesses that they stay out late but never shed a tear for the person who left them. Even though they did their best, they don't know why they were left behind. The singer expresses their willingness to move on and suggests having a party as a way to forget the pain. They ask the person who is leaving to let them know beforehand so that they can have their final goodbyes and not feel the way they do right now. The chorus repeats the plea of the singer, asking the person to let them know if they're leaving.
The verse about everybody needing a friend shows that the singer understands the importance of companionship in times of sorrow. The offer to be a friend till the end further emphasizes their eagerness to move on and reach out to new possibilities. The singer recognizes that their heartbreak is not something to be ashamed of, and questions why be sad before moving on.
Line by Line Meaning
I stay out late
I tend to stay out late at night
But I don't cry
Despite that, I do not cry
I did my best
I tried my hardest
I don't know why
But, I am unsure of why
Somebody asked
Someone requested
To take my place
To replace me
Another smile
Another person's smile
Another face
Another person's face
Baby let's have a party
Let's have a celebration
If you're leaving
If you are departing
Let me know
Please inform me
Cause I don't want to feel
Because I do not wish to experience
The way I feel right now
The current negative emotions that I am experiencing
This hurt inside
This emotional pain that I am feeling
Somehow
In some manner
Everybody needs a friend
Everyone requires companionship
Yes they do
That is definitely true
I'll be yours until the end
I will be your friend until the very end
Just let me know
Simply inform me
This broken heart
My heart that is shattered and distraught
Not much to show
There is not much to be seen
Why be sad
Why should we be unhappy
Before we go
Before we depart
Let's have a party
Let's celebrate together
Just you and me, baby
Just the two of us, darling
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHRIS ISAAK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Michelle
I've had the good fortune of seeing him perform live at least 5 times. He is a great showman. I love the banter between him and the audience-he is extremely sharp and witty. He is still gorgeous and sexy at age 57.
Juan A
No kidding. I'm a guy...definitely not gay...and this dude looks cute to me.
NatureGirl62
My husband and I saw the band a couple of weeks ago. For the second time in recent years, we did so via a VIP package. At the meet-and-greet, Chris was once again as warm as can be, as if he were an old friend. The show, as always, was pure bliss. It is highly evident that these guys are truly enjoying what they're doing; this isn't a "show". If you get the chance in your town, go see this band. You will leave glowing, and grinning ear to ear for days after. They broke the mold with guys like this, people. Chris is an entertainer for our time.
Gonçalo Brito
"If you get the chance in your town, go see this band. You will leave glowing, and grinning ear to ear for days after."
My experience exactly :)
NatureGirl62
Goncalo: I am SO happy to hear that! Chris and the band are truly wonderful - and it's nothing but real, warm, and kind. Best wishes to you.
Gonçalo Brito
NatureGirl62 Thank you, you too :)
Ava Grace
Natures Girl 62......You're right, such a awesome band Chris ISAAK.....all top musicians, to boot, what more could one want.....Just look at the body language, they simply enjoy what they are doing.....and it's a domino effect on the audience, they go home with happy memories.....that's what entertaining is all about.
Tracey Jones
I gotta put a plug in for Hershel Yatovitz. This guy is a wizard with the guitar. Chris brought his band to Ann Arbor somewhat back when and of course the silky sounds were there, but Hershel is just incredible. He makes any melodic twang come out in support of Chris. I want you all to know that he is just crazy good.
Tropicalistic
Hershel is sooooo good. It's both the tastiness of his fills and how everything is so super clean.
chassisresearchkid
I'm from Ann Arbor! When was that?