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.
To Earth With Love
Gay Dad Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
to make your world a better place
icicles and SRI's
take the edge
and send those blues away
it's a beautiful day
in my neighbourhood
supernatural fairy tale
they told you when you were at school
god was good and boys were boys
and men never went to the moon
but that's cool
Aerosmith rule
to earth with love
from the kids up above
come on
let's get it on
to earth with love
from the kids up above
hills I cannot climb
(cause I haven't got the time)
things I've never seen
(in a while in a while)
living in my head
(in my head in my head)
better look out world
cos nothing's gonna bring me down
come on
let's get it on
put your platforms on
we can dance ?til dawn
I'm doing fine
living here in my mind
it's just a matter of time
before I feel OK
hills I cannot climb
(cause I haven't got the time)
things I've never seen
(in a while in a while)
living in my head
(in my head in my head)
better look out world
cause nothing's gonna bring me down
come on
let's get it on
won't you put the Kraftwerk on
(put the Kraftwerk on)
well come on...
to earth with love
let's ask the family
is there anything left to love?
The lyrics of Gay Dad's song "To Earth With Love" appear to be about using science and technology to make the world a better place. The band talks about using the latest sciences to improve the world, using icicles and SRI’s to take the edge off and ease people's blues away. The song presents a message of hope and positivity, celebrating the beauty of the day and urging people to spread love and joy. Gay Dad acknowledges that the world is not perfect and that people face challenges such as hills they cannot climb and things they have never seen before but encourages everyone to keep pushing forward and not to be discouraged.
Furthermore, the song touches on the supernatural fairy tale that people were told at school. Gay Dad implies that people were taught that God was good, boys were boys, and men never traveled to the moon. They dismiss this notion by saying "that's cool, Aerosmith rule." In other words, they suggest that people can believe whatever they want, but they know better. The song's central message is that love and positivity will triumph in the end.
Line by Line Meaning
we'll use the latest sciences
We have advanced knowledge and technology to improve the world
to make your world a better place
We want to improve the conditions of your planet
icicles and SRI's
We will use sustainable and environmentally-friendly practices
take the edge
We will remove the negative aspects of life
and send those blues away
We will eradicate sadness and depression
it's a beautiful day
The present moment is wonderful
in my neighbourhood
The surroundings I am in at this moment are beautiful
come what may
Regardless of what happens, I will enjoy this day
supernatural fairy tale
The stories told to us about the world are inaccurate
they told you when you were at school
These stories were taught to us in our formative years
god was good and boys were boys
We were taught a narrow, rigid view of the world
and men never went to the moon
We were told lies and mistruths about history
but that's cool
It's okay to let go of these limiting beliefs
Aerosmith rule
We now embrace new, different ideas and perspectives
to earth with love
We will bring change and progress to the planet
from the kids up above
The younger generation will lead the way
come on
Let's take action
let's get it on
Let's work together to make change happen
hills I cannot climb
There are challenges and obstacles in my way
(cause I haven't got the time)
I need to carve out the time to overcome these challenges
things I've never seen
There are new experiences waiting for me
(in a while in a while)
It's been a while since I've been able to experience these things
living in my head
I need to step out of my comfort zone and explore the world outside my mind
(in my head in my head)
I can't keep living inside my head, I need to take action
better look out world
I am on a mission to make change happen
cause nothing's gonna bring me down
I am determined and unwavering in my pursuit of change
put your platforms on
Get ready to take action
we can dance ?til dawn
We can work tirelessly until we succeed
I'm doing fine
I am confident and capable
living here in my mind
I need to step out of my own thoughts and into the real world
it's just a matter of time
Change will happen, it's just a matter of when
before I feel OK
Things will improve, they just take time
won't you put the Kraftwerk on
Let's listen to new, innovative music that inspires us
well come on...
Let's begin this journey of change
let's ask the family
Let's collaborate and work together as a group
is there anything left to love?
What else can we do to make the world a better place?
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CLIFF JONES, JAMES RISEBERO, NICK CROWE, NIGEL HOYLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dr W
This should be way more popular.
양규석
It's nice to see new uploads from Gay Dad! :D
Peter Suppe
💓🎶🎸👏
Joe Dent
Pretty cool. I Like the discordant abandon in the prechorus bit.
Cheers
"LiL'JpD."
Angel Matriz Blindado MAGNO
like 003 , Brasil 2022
luter82
Why Coldplay are still there and not Gay Dad?
acertainshape
People like mediocrity.
Harold Hivart
Because the name of coldplay is not Gaydad..
P. McInnes
Because Gaydad are not satanic witches
luter82
@Harold Hivart but if you are gay you like Coldplay