Gay Dad was first formed in 1994 by former Mojo and The Face journalist Cliff Jones, his schoolfriend Baz Crowe, and Nigel Hoyle. Their first demo was recorded with legendary Rolling Stones record producer, Andrew Loog Oldham but proved unsuccessful, and they did not make their live debut until 1995. Early gigs were often a shambles, and by 1996 Jones, who had developed a fascination with psychedelia and glam-rock, began to rethink the band's approach.
Joined by new keyboardist James Riseboro, they recorded several new tracks at Raezor Studio, Wandsworth, including a song called "To Earth With Love". Although it was only intended to win them some live dates, the demo attracted keen record company interest and the band signed to London Records in December 1997. With (female) guitarist Charley Stone they toured the UK in early 1998 before starting recording sessions at The Dairy studio in Brixton with producers/sound engineers Gary Langan (ex-Art of Noise) and Chris Hughes (ex-Adam and the Ants).
The band's controversial name and their eye-catching blue and white "Walking Man" logo designed by fashionable graphic artist, Peter Saville generated a huge amount of interest from the media and Gay Dad were hailed as the "saviours" of British rock.
Their debut single "To Earth With Love" entered the UK Singles Chart at #10 in January 1999. Their debut album Leisure Noise, co-produced by Tony Visconti and Mark Frith, was released in June 1999. Despite initial good reviews it only made #14, although American sales topped 25,000.
The second single "Joy!" reached #22 in the UK, but the third single from the album, "Oh Jim", only made #47. Disappointing reviews for some of their live shows started a general media backlash. Frontman Jones was criticised for his pretentious statements, and the band’s whole authenticity was questioned due to his connections with the music press. After a moderately successful tour of America, Stone left the band and was temporarily replaced by bass player Andy Bell (who had previously been guitarist with Ride and later joined Oasis). They started to work on a second album but keyboard player Riseboro also left the band due to musical differences. The band parted with London Records the following November.
Jones, Hoyle and Crowe signed a new record deal with smaller indie label B-Unique and began work on a new album Transmission. In 2001 the leading single, "Now Always and Forever" was released and fell just short of the Top 40. An extensive UK tour was followed by another single "Harder, Faster" which also failed to chart significantly. The third single "Transmission" was released just before the album came out in late 2001. Although critically acclaimed, it had disappointing sales and failed to make any commercial impact.
Gay Dad played a one-off show in Houston, Texas in the summer of 2001. It was at this show that Cliff shared a bill with an up and coming Austin band, Young Heart Attack. Smitten with the energy and drive of the band, Cliff struck up a friendship with them and played a key role in getting the band signed in England. A new song "Young Heart Attack" later appeared as a b-side to one of the singles off the "Transmission" LP.
Rumours of a split started circulating in 2002, and Jones finally announced the break up of the band on the eve of the U.S. release of Transmission, citing the excessive press hype the band had received and the pressures resulting from it, as well as negative reactions to the band’s controversial name. "We got shot out of the cannon," said Jones, "Then things started to get out of control, and as rapidly as we went up, we came down again."
Jones claimed that one negative reaction came from Capitol Records, which had planned to release the album in America. "Someone in radio promotion said he'd resign if he had to work a band called Gay Dad". Instead, Transmission was put out by indie label Thirsty Ear.
Later that year Gay Dad's second single, "Joy" was used in a Mitsubishi car advertisement.
Contrary to reports, Jones never appeared on any recordings by Texas or Robbie Williams.
Nigel Hoyle began his solo project, and eventually ended up working with Freelance Hellraiser. The two recorded a track for the Ian Brown remix album. Hoyle then found himself working with Dylan Rippon and Crispin Hunt (of the defunct Longpigs) in a new outfit, Gramercy. Gramercy recorded together a number of songs and were about to release their debut single/ep "Hold On" through Redemption Records, when they split.
Desire
Gay Dad Lyrics
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She's too dark for me
I listen to her constantly
Free from the need
My little life of luxury
Desire is a funny thing
Taking my place in the world
Wasn't part of the head
Desire take my falls for me
Driving me back down to earth
I try to find a piece of mind
For what it is worth
She's too dark for me
I listen to her constantly
Free from the need
My little life of luxury
Angels in my muscles
Fighting the pleasure within
I take it in, I let it out
Won't you fly away?
Desire take my falls for me
Driving me back down to earth
I need to find a piece of mind
For what that it's worth
Falling (echo out)
Here it comes again
Feels like I'm falling (echo out)
Yeah, I'm a man of the world
I'm a man of the world
Haven't you heard?
I'm a man of the world
A man of the world
A man of the world
Haven't you heard?
I'm a man, oh I'm a man
I'm feeling round, oh, yeah, yeah, yeah
I'm a man of the world
I'm a man of the world
Haven't you heard?
Yeah, oh I've got everything I need
I've got everything I need
Everything I need to carry me through
Yes, I've got everything I need
Everything I need
Everything I need to carry me through
Desire take my falls
Desire, oh desire, take my falls for me
Oh desire, desire, desire take my falls for me
Oh yeah, yeah, yeah
Gay Dad's song "Desire" is a thoughtful take on the complexities of human desire. The lyrics are introspective and explore the ways that desire can both liberate and burden a person. The repetition of the line "She's too dark for me" suggests that the singer is drawn to something that they find challenging or difficult to understand. The line "Angels in my muscles/Fighting the pleasure within" speaks to the sense of conflict that often arises when we desire something that we know may not be good for us.
The chorus of the song is particularly powerful, as it captures the ambivalence of the singer's relationship to their desire. They acknowledge that desire has "taken their falls" for them, but also admit that they are trying to "find a piece of mind" and seek some kind of escape from the intensity of their desire. The repetition of the phrase "I'm a man of the world" adds a note of defiance to the song and suggests that the singer sees their struggle with desire as part of the human experience.
Overall, "Desire" is a complex and nuanced exploration of human desire that is both thought-provoking and emotionally resonant.
Line by Line Meaning
Feels like I'm falling away
I am sinking into a state of emotional distress
She's too dark for me
I am not compatible with this person I desire because we are too different
I listen to her constantly
I am obsessed with the person I desire
Free from the need
I am finally free from the constant need to pursue someone else
My little life of luxury
I am content with my material possessions and comfortable lifestyle
Desire is a funny thing
Desire is a complex and unpredictable force
Taking my place in the world
Desire is influencing my actions and decisions
I try to find a piece of mind
I am striving to find inner peace
Wasn't part of the head
This feeling is beyond rational thought
Desire take my falls for me
Desire is responsible for any negative consequences I may face in the pursuit of my desires
Driving me back down to earth
My desire is forcing me to confront reality
For what it is worth
Despite the challenges, my desire is still important to me
Angels in my muscles
I feel a physical response to my desire
Fighting the pleasure within
I am struggling with the enjoyment and satisfaction that comes with desire
I take it in, I let it out
I am trying to control my emotions and feelings
Won't you fly away?
I wish I could escape the turmoil caused by my desire
Here it comes again
My desire is resurfacing
Yeah, I'm a man of the world
I am experienced and worldly
Haven't you heard?
I want to emphasize my status and accomplishments
I'm feeling round, oh, yeah, yeah, yeah
I am testing the waters and exploring new experiences and feelings
Desire, oh desire, take my falls for me
I am placing the responsibility for any negative consequences of my desire onto the desire itself
Oh yeah, yeah, yeah
I am expressing my enthusiasm and passion
Contributed by Asher K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.