Michael Aston (vocals) was the poetic, goth-leaning side of the twin brothers while Jay Aston’s distinctive banshee-like, wailing vocals supplied Gene Loves Jezebel with one of their many trademark quirks.
Originally called Slav Aryan, Gene Loves Jezebel began in 1980 with the brothers, guitarist Ian Hudson, and a drum machine. The Astons grew up in Porthcawl, South Wales, making the move to London in 1981. With a new home, and shortly thereafter, the new name, the trio played several live shows and was signed by Situation Two. In May 1982, the label released Gene Loves Jezebel's demo and a single "Shaving My Neck." The band then added bassist Julianne Regan followed, Regan was replaced by Ian Hudson on Bass (and Albi DeLuca took over the guitar role) and went on to form All About Eve, Gene Loves Jezebel underwent a dozen or so line up changes between 1981-1985 alone! The band was really about the twins after all.
The band released two more singles in 1983 before their debut album Promise peaked at number 8 in the U.K.'s indie charts. In 1984, the group recorded a John Peel radio session for BBC and toured America with fellow Welsh artist John Cale. The second album, Immigrant, was released in mid-1985. However, during an agonizing American tour for Immigrant, founding member Ian Hudson suffered a nervous breakdown and was replaced by former Gen X guitarist James Stevenson.
During 1986, the group moved contract to Situation Two's parent company, Beggar's Banquet Records and distribution rights in USA to Geffen Records. The subsequent promotion increased pop-chart success for the group. The single "Sweetest Thing" briefly hit the Top 75 in U.K. and the album, Discover, reached number 32 in UK Albums Chart. At this time, the group also found heavy rotations on college and alternative radio stations across America. The band had slowly turned their attention to dance music. The slick and catchy guitar hooks of singles "Desire" and "Heartache" leapt to #6 and #72, respectively, on Los Angeles' famous New Wave station, KROQ. Later that year, Chris Bell became the band's fifth drummer.
Gene Loves Jezebel's fourth album, The House of Dolls, was released late in 1987 and yielded the singles, "20 Killer Hurts" and "The Motion of Love" that grazed the U.S. pop charts. The third single from The House of Dolls, "Suspicion", for the first time, surfaced on The Billboard Hot 100. Despite rising mainstream success, the new pop-oriented direction proved to be too polished and commercial for the poetic and more goth-like brother, Michael. He parted ways with Jay in 1989.
While Michael pursued his solo work, Jay continued using the Gene Loves Jezebel name and recorded two albums, Kiss of Life in 1989, followed by Heavenly Bodies. reached #68 on Billboard's Hot 100. Three years later, Jay Aston and company released Heavenly Bodies, which did well in Europe and on American college radio. Unfortunately, after dispointing record sales record sales and the collapse of Savage Records (David Bowie) American label folded one year later, and, after a few more live shows, so did Gene Loves Jezebel.
While Jay performed occasional acoustic shows under his own name, Michael played with members of Scenic, then formed a new band called the Immigrants (re-named Edith Grove) and later released a pimarily acoustic solo album, Why Me, Why This, Why Now. Michael and Jay began working together again throughout the 90's , and also recorded two songs for a GLJ best-of compilation "from the mouths of Babes' on Michael Aston's label Bonnaire records , released in September 1995.
A reunion tour followed in 1997, but the brothers' reconciliation was short-lived. In October 1997, Jay sued his twin brother over rights to the name "Gene Loves Jezebel" after leaving the band. After a protracted court battle, Jay eventually dropped all charges "with prejudice" meaning Michael can never be challenged for the name again and consequently Michael owns the exclusive rights to the mark. Michael also trademarked "Gene Loves Jezebel" and toured both the U.S. and the U.K. extensively supporting Gene Loves Jezebel releases: Love Lies Bleeding (1999) - Live in Voodoo City (1999) - Giving Up the Ghost (2001) – and Exploding Girls (2003)
Heartache
Gene Loves Jezebel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're all I ever wanted, and you belong to me
Listen now my angel, my love for you can't stop
Though we've come to distances, love must surely spark
Maybe she just cannot see me
Maybe she just cannot feel
How come I'm crying over you?
If a little bit of heartache, a little bit of heartache never hurt anyone
How come I'm crying over you?
Your beauty has spoken, with eyes that shine
My resistance crumbles, I stumble, I fall
Did I ever fail you, did I lose your confidence?
To me you are remarkable, what more can I say?
Maybe she just cannot see me
Maybe she just cannot feel
They say a little bit of heartache, little bit of heartache never hurt anyone
How come I'm crying over you?
If a little bit of heartache, a little bit of heartache never hurt anyone
How come I'm crying over you?
Talk, talk, talk
A little bit of heartache, little bit of heartache never hurt anyone
In Gene Loves Jezebel's song, "Heartache," the lyrics express a deep love for someone who may not reciprocate the same feelings. The singer refers to this person as their "guilty secret" and confesses that they are all they ever wanted. The love between the two is strong, but they have come to a distance that only makes their love stronger. The singer seems confused as to why they are crying over this person since "a little bit of heartache never hurt anyone," but still can't help but feel the pain of unrequited love.
The singer asks if the person they love "just cannot see" or "cannot feel," suggesting that they may not understand or reciprocate the strong emotions being expressed. Despite the uncertainty and heartache, the singer cannot deny their love for this person, referring to them as an angel and expressing that their beauty has left them stumbling and falling.
Overall, "Heartache" is a poignant expression of unrequited love and the pain that can come with it. The lyrics convey a deep longing and devotion, but also a sense of confusion and frustration at not being able to have the love returned.
Line by Line Meaning
You're my guilty secret, not just a memory
You are someone I keep hidden and cannot confess my love for openly, not just someone I remember from the past.
You're all I ever wanted, and you belong to me
You are everything I have ever desired, and I feel like you are mine to have.
Listen now my angel, my love for you can't stop
Hear me now, my love for you is strong and cannot be stopped.
Though we've come to distances, love must surely spark
Even though we may be far apart, love will still ignite.
Maybe she just cannot see me
Perhaps the person I love is unaware of my feelings towards them.
Maybe she just cannot feel
It's possible that the person I love is incapable of reciprocating my emotions.
They say a little bit of heartache, a little bit of heartache never hurt anyone
People say that a small amount of emotional pain is harmless.
How come I'm crying over you?
Despite that notion, I am feeling emotional pain and heartbreak because of you.
Your beauty has spoken, with eyes that shine
Your physical attractiveness has made an impact on me, with your eyes being particularly alluring.
My resistance crumbles, I stumble, I fall
My attempts to resist your charms are failing, and I am beginning to lose control.
Did I ever fail you, did I lose your confidence?
Have I disappointed you in any way or made you lose faith in me?
To me you are remarkable, what more can I say?
In my eyes, you are truly exceptional and I cannot express it any further.
Talk, talk, talk
This may be interpreted as someone just talking a lot, or that words do not always have a solution for heartbreak.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: HILL, STEVENSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@johnbarnes6568
Voices that flow round your heart and totally divine music draped and entwined with luscious riffs, all together with those smouldering looks from Michael and Jay, absolutely gorgeous.
@scottsargent3614
Absolutely, I'd like to dress like them too.
everything magnificent...they are the best post punk UK rock band ever, plus, best around the world....? you think so too, never could find big big knowelgeble
G.L.J. peoole/friends
@BrianCarnevaleB26
1986 was a big letdown for me after 84-85. Criminal activities------------getting involved with the wrong people. Learn the hard way.
@earthboundmisfit485
I have been listening to this song nonstop for the past two weeks, this video is so beautiful 😍
@scottsargent3614
Me too, this and GLJ are great, british rockin' love songs. you can't beat it!
@kyleeychner5404
When I get on a GLJ kick this song has to be first. They put so much into the background sounds and yes the video is beautiful. Michael and Jay's moves are sometimes corny but they are also completely unique. Even tho the brothers are the stand outs, the whole band sounded great. Really in tune with each other. One of my fave songs for sure. Also loved Desire and Bruises.
@tracylavinia8232
Legendary band 🙏🏼
@zaney5
Had the pleasure of meeting Jay at an acoustic solo gig a few weeks ago. Such an interesting guy and a total gent... still got that amazing voice!
@lyndanolan1491
Yes, he's pleasant.
@BrianScottHarris
@@lyndanolan1491 Unlike his brother.