The band charted its biggest hit in 1972, when "Last Song" charted No. 1 in Canada and peaked at No. 3 in the United States. By then, the original band had split up. Evoy rebuilt the band twice, but it finally was disbanded in 1974 after a disastrous tour of high school gigs and small club venues.
They won a Juno Award in 1973 in an outstanding group performance category.
Evoy, who embraced scientology in 1973, went on to a semi-successful solo career but is currently retired. Former member Danny Marks has continued a very successful career as a blues guitar veteran. Paul Weldon, a six year veteran of the band, performs with a jazz combo and teaches at Seneca College in Toronto. Bill Loop, bassist in the early seventies, resides in south-western Ontario and plays locally with various session musicians. He also teaches guitar.
Masquerade
Edward Bear Lyrics
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Dance in silky satin gowns
Turn my full length mirror dow-hown
Oh you think you're safe and sound
But you know what I found
Base this lifetime on a lie
Which you then proceed to hide
But don't you open up your eyes
To think it's time that you tried to see
Your masquerade
And that's an awful game to play
It's just a masquerade
Making you the queen of diamonds honey
On the ace, of spa-ya-ya-yades
Paint your face and run around
Dance in silky satin gowns
Turn my full length mirror dow-hown
Oh you think you're safe and sound
I thought you'd know I'd found
It's just a masquerade
And that's an awful game to play
It's just a masquerade
Making you the queen of diamonds honey
On the ace, of spa-ya-ya-yades
It's just a masquerade
It's just a masquerade
It's just a masquerade
It's just a masquerade
The lyrics of Edward Bear's song "Masquerade" tell the story of someone who is living a life based on falsehoods and deception, represented by the imagery of a masquerade. The chorus laments the dangerous game of hiding behind a mask and pretending to be someone or something that we are not. The allure and beauty of the "queen of diamonds" and the "ace of spades" are ultimately revealed to be nothing more than a façade meant to deceive and manipulate.
The verses imply that the singer is aware of the deception, having discovered the truth beneath the surface. The lines "Paint your face and run around / Dance in silky satin gowns / Turn my full-length mirror down / Oh, you think you're safe and sound" suggest that the subject of the song is attempting to hide his or her true identity and is perhaps unaware that anyone else sees through the charade. The repeated refrain of "It's just a masquerade" underscores the idea that the subterfuge is ultimately harmful and unsustainable.
The song's lyrics carry important themes of authenticity and honesty, warning against the dangers of living a life of deception and encouraging listeners to be true to themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Paint your face and run around
Put on a façade and pretend to be someone else
Dance in silky satin gowns
Use superficiality and adornment to create illusions
Turn my full length mirror dow-hown
Refuse to face the truth, even when it's staring you in the face
Oh you think you're safe and sound
Believe that hiding behind the masquerade keeps you protected
But you know what I found
Despite attempts to hide, the truth will ultimately be revealed
Base this lifetime on a lie
Build your entire existence on a falsehood
Which you then proceed to hide
Continue to maintain the deception
Comes a time I can't deci-hide
Eventually, it becomes too difficult to keep up the charade
But don't you open up your eyes
Rather than face reality, continue to stay blinded by your illusions
To think it's time that you tried to see
Realize that it's time to shed the mask and confront the truth
Your masquerade
Your false persona, your act
And that's an awful game to play
Leading a double life is a damaging way to exist
Making you the queen of diamonds honey
Presenting a sparkling and precious image
On the ace, of spa-ya-ya-yades
On the highest card, in the top position
It's just a masquerade
The falseness and deception will always remain just that, regardless of how well they are played
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Lawrence Wayne Evoy
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind