Their first album, Broadcast, released in 1986, was the first U.S. number one album for Richard Branson's Virgin Records. It included "(I Just) Died in Your Arms", their most popular single, which reached number one in the U.S., and number four in the UK; the album also yielded an additional U.S. top-ten hit with "I've Been in Love Before". The band received a Grammy nomination in 1987, for "Best New Artist".
After the band broke up in 1993, guitarist Kevin MacMichael joined forces with Robert Plant, and played on his critically acclaimed Fate of Nations album. MacMichael died of lung cancer on New Year's Eve 2002, at his home in Nova Scotia, at the age of 51.
The band was reformed in 2006 by Nick Van Eede, with a completely new line-up. They have released one album, Grinning Souls, in February 2006 on the Hypertension record label. The new band toured Germany early the same year and are currently planning tours in the UK and Denmark.
Rock And A Hard Place
Cutting Crew Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Between a rock and a hard place
There's a beating heart
Watching the lights go down on my world
Stoney faced
Letting the rope slip though my fingers
Ain't nothin' straight,
Caught up in the middle of the party line
I got a brick but I can't find a window
Take me to your shelter...
Between a rock
Between a rock and a hard place
(You better lay your money down)
You'll never stop
What you started in the first place
Between a rock
You gotta roll with the punches baby
Between a rock and a hard place...
There's so many words
You place your bet you take your chances
The dealer pays
But he'll never let you leave the table
They're gonna take you lock, stock and barrel
Down to the knuckle, down on your luck
And when they've stripped you of all resistance
You can take you place...
Between a rock
Between a rock and a hard place
(You gotta lay your money down)
You'll never stop
What you started in the first place
Between a rock
You gotta roll with the punches baby
Between a rock and a hard place...
It'll take all your money
We think we like it here
Between a rock
(You gotta roll with the punches baby)
Between a rock and a hard place
The lyrics to Cutting Crew's song "Rock And A Hard Place" describe a feeling of being caught in a tough situation and struggling to find a way out. The metaphor of being "between a rock and a hard place" is used to represent this feeling, emphasizing the difficulty of the situation. The imagery presented in the lyrics paints a picture of a person who is facing challenges on all sides, with no clear solution in sight.
The opening lines "There's a beating heart, watching the lights go down on my world" set a somber and reflective tone, as the singer observes their own life falling apart. The line "I got a brick but I can't find a window" suggests that the singer has tools at their disposal but doesn't know how to use them to escape their situation. The line "You place your bet you take your chances" highlights the uncertainty of the situation and the risks involved in trying to find a way out.
The chorus emphasizes that despite the difficulties faced, the person must keep going and keep fighting, rolling with the punches and laying down their money when necessary. The line "It'll take all your money" suggests that the person may have to sacrifice a lot in order to get through this difficult time. Overall, the lyrics convey a feeling of resilience in the face of adversity, encouraging listeners to never give up even when things seem hopeless.
Line by Line Meaning
Between a rock
Caught in a difficult situation.
There's a beating heart
Feeling the stress and pressure of the situation.
Watching the lights go down on my world
Seeing everything fall apart around you.
Stoney faced
Trying to remain strong and emotionless.
Letting the rope slip though my fingers
Losing control of the situation.
Ain't nothin' straight,
Nothing is clear or straightforward.
Always a riddle
The situation is confusing and difficult to understand.
Caught up in the middle of the party line
Trapped in the middle of opposing sides or beliefs.
I got a brick but I can't find a window
Feeling powerless and unable to find a way out.
Take me to your shelter...
Asking for help and protection from the situation.
You'll never stop
You can't give up or back down from the situation.
What you started in the first place
The situation was caused by your actions or choices.
You gotta roll with the punches baby
You have to adapt and keep going despite the difficulties.
There's so many words
There are many opinions and voices in the situation.
You place your bet you take your chances
You make a choice and have to accept the consequences.
The dealer pays
You may receive some benefit, but ultimately the situation is controlled by someone else.
But he'll never let you leave the table
You are stuck in the situation and can't walk away.
They're gonna take you lock, stock and barrel
The situation will consume you completely.
Down to the knuckle, down on your luck
Feeling desperate and hopeless.
And when they've stripped you of all resistance
When you have nothing left to fight back with.
You can take you place...
You can accept your fate and find your role in the situation.
It'll take all your money
The situation will cost you everything.
We think we like it here
Despite the difficulties, we feel at home in the situation.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: EEDE, MACMICHAEL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Nancy M
20 plus years later, I still love The Cutting Crew's music. Timeless.
Ryan Zeid
A terrific AOR track from Cutting Crew! I’m really glad they put this on their greatest hits album.
you dreamer
sometimes searching for more songs from a band you find awesome songs like this! it rocks!!
LadyJoy92
The Scattering was my favorite album, so much emothion and strength in the words and music. Tottally favs
pearlset18
These guys were f*&%ing awesome and should have been as big as other 80's bands such as Bon Jovi, GnR,etc...amazing musicians...RIP Kevin M......you were one of the most tasteful guitarists I've ever heard.
Νίκος_Lostinfaith9
got the vinyl record.... really good..i love it.....
CanzetYote
Great song with a great Cheap Trick feel to it. I'm gonna go check out more Cutting Crew.
Jackie Kixx
Great song!!! Best Cutting crew song ever!
Jeffrey Leatherwood
I remember this song only received about a week's airplay in 1989. I bought "The Scattering," as I enjoyed their first album, but I don't think the Cutting Crew ever lived down the hype from "I Just Died in Your Arms." This song was very 80s, and I can see why the video remains so obscure. I much preferred the title track, "The Scattering."
nighthawk48509
i got both of their cd's not a bad song on them