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.
Round 'n' Round
Chris Isaak Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
State your case and then sit down
Tell me why you want to go
I don't love you anymore
Here you go mad again
Tell me that your just a friend
Tell me something I don't know
I don't love you anymore
Yeah
When I do go, I'll let you know
It might hurt you, but I don't think so
Here we go round and round
State your case and then sit down
Tell me why you want to go
I don't love you anymore [Repeat: x3]
In the song "Round 'n' Round" by Chris Isaak, we see a narrative of two people trapped in a cycle of conversation that seems to always end in the same place - one person pleading to leave while the other remains unmoved. The lyrics are left intentionally vague, so it could be interpreted in different ways, but it seems like a couple who have been together for a while but who are no longer in love. The singer, who is most likely Isaak himself, is telling his partner that he doesn't love them anymore, but the partner is not willing to let go. The chorus, "Here we go round and round, state your case and then sit down, tell me why you want to go, I don't love you anymore," is a constant refrain that brings us back to the central fact of the song - the singer does not love their partner anymore, but the partner is struggling to accept that fact.
The second verse continues this theme, with the partner trying to convince the singer that they are "just a friend." This could mean that they are beginning to understand that the relationship is over, but are still hoping that they can remain close to the singer. The singer, however, remains resolute - they do not love their partner anymore, and they need to move on. The bridge, "When I do go, I'll let you know, it might hurt you, but I don't think so," sounds like the singer trying to be considerate while also being honest. It's clear that they don't want to be with their partner anymore, but they don't want to cause them unnecessary pain either. Overall, "Round 'n' Round" is a song that captures the feeling of being trapped in a relationship that is no longer fulfilling, and the struggle to move on in a kind and honest way.
Line by Line Meaning
Here we go round and round
We're having the same conversation again and again.
State your case and then sit down
Tell me what you want, but then accept my answer.
Tell me why you want to go
Explain your reasons for leaving.
I don't love you anymore
I've grown tired of this relationship and my feelings have changed.
Here you go mad again
You're overreacting to the situation once again.
Tell me that your just a friend
Deny any romantic feelings and claim to be platonic.
Tell me something I don't know
Give me new information or perspective I haven't considered.
When I do go, I'll let you know
When I decide to leave, I'll inform you beforehand.
It might hurt you, but I don't think so
I acknowledge that my leaving could hurt you, but I don't think it will affect me as much.
I don't love you anymore [Repeat: x3]
I want to emphasize this fact and make it clear that my feelings are final.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHRIS ISAAK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind