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)
Vagabond
Gene Loves Jezebel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So pleased to meet you
'Cause the sting in your tail
As you come off the rails
It's like a stepping stone"
It's in your head
It's all in your head
Face me, face me
Turn around, kiss me
Turn around, turn around
Face me, face me
Turn around, kiss me
Lackaday how are you
I've had such a pleasant stay
I'll call again some other time
I must be on my way
I feel it in your head
It's in your head
Turn around, turn around
Face me, face me
Turn around, kiss me
Turn around, turn around
Face me, face me
Turn around, kiss me
Turn around, turn around
Face me, face me
Turn around, kiss me
Turn around, turn around
Face me, face me
Turn around, kiss me
You are just the girl
I've always wanted
Then you love me
Till your last breath blows me away
You know what it takes
We don't need to fake
I'll tell you again
It's all in your head
It's in your head
It's all in your head
Turn around, turn around
Face me, face me
Turn around, kiss me
Turn around, turn around
Face me, face me
Turn around, kiss me
Turn around, turn around
Face me, face me
Turn around, kiss me
Turn around, turn around
Face me, face me
Turn around, kiss me
Turn around, turn around
Face me, face me
Turn around, kiss me
Turn around, turn around
Face me, face me
Turn around, kiss me
The lyrics to Gene Loves Jezebel's Vagabond tells the story of an encounter between the singer and a wandering vagabond. The vagabond is pleased to meet the singer, even though she seems to be in a state of chaos and is coming off the rails. The vagabond considers this a stepping stone on the singer's journey. The singer seems to be grappling with something in her head that is causing her to be erratic.
The lyrics ask the singer to turn around and face the vagabond, to kiss him and to let go of whatever is holding her back. The vagabond is confident that he can help her overcome her internal struggles, and tells her that she is the girl he has always wanted.
The repeated refrain of "it's all in your head" suggests that the singer's issues are psychological rather than physical. The vagabond portrays himself as a possible savior who can provide comfort and reassure her that everything will be alright.
Overall, the lyrics of Vagabond are suggestive of a person looking for guidance or reassurance amidst their internal struggles.
Line by Line Meaning
The vagabond said "Bless my soul
The wandering person exclaimed "Oh my goodness"
So pleased to meet you
I am happy to make your acquaintance
'Cause the sting in your tail
Your sharp words and attitude
As you come off the rails
When you lose control
It's like a stepping stone"
It's a building block for something greater
It's in your head
You are imagining it
Turn around, turn around
Face me, face me
Face me, face me
Look at me, confront me
Kiss me
Show affection for me
Lackaday how are you
Alas, how are you
I've had such a pleasant stay
I enjoyed visiting you
I'll call again some other time
I'll get in touch later
I must be on my way
It's time for me to leave
You are just the girl
You're the one I want
I've always wanted
I've desired for a long time
Then you love me
And you will love me
Till your last breath blows me away
Until you die
You know what it takes
You understand what is needed
We don't need to fake
We don't have to pretend
I'll tell you again
I'll say it one more time
It's all in your head
You're making it up
Turn around, turn around
Face me, face me
Kiss me
Show affection for me
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOHN PETER ASTON, JAMES STEVENSON, MICHAEL ASTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Colleen Thompson
I totally dig this tune turned way up with emphasis on the bass when I am driving...my car has Beats by Dre sound package and it really sounds great...love GLJ!
DHTC
I KNOW RIGHT o my godd this is the best song EVER...and wait it was just a B-SIDE?!! what!! Someone was missing the point BAD right!!
Bruce Thundercock
I met Jay and Michael in '97 in Cleveland, Ohio. They were getting along at that time and were quite pleasant. It was nice to see the original line up on that your 😊
jeza pink
I love GLJ FOR EVER !
Mark Anthony Francisco
ilove gene loves jezebel
Silvia Paredes
grosoooos jezebel temazoooo
ARNOLD MABALAY
Suspicion + Vagabond + Heartache + Sweetest Thing + Gorgeous + Desire + Motion Of Love
Esteban Reynoso
GLJ anthem! Another great song!
Alexander Acsayan
First heard and see live,, 1987 sm north edsa carpark,,, free concert of SHAMBU APPAREL,, don't remember the band performed... definitely Pinoy band...
Leonardo Urbay
OMFG !!!!