General Public signed to I.R.S. Records and released All the Rage (1984). However, by the time the album was released, Jones was no longer a member of General Public, although he did play guitar on the majority of the album's tracks. Kevin White (who also played on the album) was now the group's official guitarist and sixth member.
In Britain, General Public had a minor hit with the eponymous track called "General Public", which reached # 60. The band fared better in North America, where their second single "Tenderness" was a top 40 hit in the US and Canada, reaching #27 on the U.S. charts, thanks in part to heavy play from MTV and Los Angeles-based modern rock station KROQ. (Ironically, The Beat never had any top 40 hits in the UK.) [Chart info cited from: The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits, Billboard Books (2004).]
For the follow-up album, White and Stoker were replaced by brothers Gianni Minardi and Mario Minardi on guitar and drums, respectively. Unfortunately, despite featuring a track from the soundtrack to Weird Science, Hand to Mouth (1986) was significantly less successful than the debut album, and the band soon split up. They both front two versions of the band, with Roger & Everett Moreton ( as The Beat ) in the UK & Dave in America ( as The English Beat ).
Roger and Wakeling worked on various solo projects for the next few years, before reuniting in 1994 to perform a cover of The Staple Singers hit "I'll Take You There" for the Threesome soundtrack. The song, credited to General Public, was a surprise top 40 hit in the US and Canada, and a minor hit (#73) in the UK.
The duo (now the only members of General Public) stayed together to release the album Rub It Better in 1995, recorded with the aid of producer Jerry Harrison. But sales were dismal, and Roger was tired of the grind of touring, so they soon broke up again.
Beginning in 2000, Dave Wakeling began calling his backing band alternately either General Public or The English Beat. He then toured (mostly in North America) as either "The English Beat featuring Dave Wakeling" or "Dave Wakeling & General Public". Aside from Wakeling, this new backing band featured no original members of The (English) Beat or General Public, although reportedly Ranking Roger and other Beat members turned up as guest performers at a handful of shows.
Burning Bright
General Public Lyrics
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Watch the skies for signs or planes
Same old bad news again today
Just a thousand ways to make torture sound polite
From H. Block to Springbok, bok, bok
Tell me when does the beating stop
I'm not prepared to just sit
Here it comes
Here it comes
Here it comes
We have a dream
There's no use fighting it
It's burning burning bright
Dreams can come true
If you put your mind to it
And you've been tucked up alright
Burning burning bright
Oh, oh, burning burning bright
Oh, don't put out the lights
From Moscow to Monterey
Maine to Mexico
It's hard to hear what the people say
It's like they've one foot in their mouoths
And the other in their graves
From H. Block to Springbok, bok, bok
Tell me when does the beating stop?
Are you prepared to just stand
And watch again tonight?
Here it comes
We have a dream
And there's no use fighting it
It's burning burning bright
Dreams can come true
If you put your mind to it
And you've been tucked up alright
Burning burning bright
Burning burning bright
Sha sha sha sha sha
Ha ha
Ha ha
Ha ha ha
Here it comes, here it comes, here it comes
Yes, we have a dream
There's no use fighting it
Burning burning bright
Dreams can come true
If you put your mind to it
And you've been tucked up alright
Burning burning bright
Ha ha, burning, burning, burning, burning, burning bright
So don't put out the lights
The lyrics to General Public's song Burning Bright are a plea for people to stop being passive and to take action against social injustices, ranging from political oppression to police brutality. The song addresses these issues by pointing out that bad news is reported every day and that people are becoming numb to it. The lyrics are written in a poetic and concise way. The use of words such as "torture" and "beating" are striking, and the repetition of the phrase "Here it comes" adds urgency and suspense to the song.
In the chorus, the band emphasizes the power of dreams and encourages listeners to persevere in fighting for their dreams. The repeated phrase "Burning burning bright" can be interpreted as a metaphor for passion and determination. The lyrics suggest that despite the challenges and hardships in the world, people should keep their dreams alive and not give up. The song ends on a positive note with the line "don't put out the lights," which encourages listeners to not lose hope and to keep fighting for a better future.
Line by Line Meaning
Turn it up
Increase the volume of the music
Watch the skies for signs or planes
Stay alert for any signs of danger or potential threats
Same old bad news again today
The news is consistently negative and disheartening
Just a thousand ways to make torture sound polite
There are countless methods of causing pain and suffering that are disguised to seem civilized or justified
From H. Block to Springbok, bok, bok
From harsh prison environments to violent uprisings, there is no escape from the cycle of oppression
Tell me when does the beating stop
Questioning when the violence and abuse will come to an end
I'm not prepared to just sit
Unwilling to remain passive and inactive
And watch again tonight
Witnessing the same atrocities and injustices happening repeatedly
Here it comes
The next wave of adversity is approaching
We have a dream
There is a shared vision of a better future
There's no use fighting it
It is pointless to resist or deny the dream
It's burning burning bright
The dream has powerful and intense energy
Dreams can come true
The dream can become a reality
If you put your mind to it
Determination and focus are needed to achieve the dream
And you've been tucked up alright
As long as you are safe and taken care of
Oh, oh, burning burning bright
The energy of the dream is especially strong
Oh, don't put out the lights
Don't let go of hope or give up on the dream
From Moscow to Monterey
Struggles for justice span across continents and cultures
Maine to Mexico
Problems persist on both sides of the border
It's hard to hear what the people say
The voices of the people are often drowned out by the noise of politics and power
It's like they've one foot in their mouoths
People struggle to express themselves fully or effectively
And the other in their graves
But their words and actions still carry significance, even after they have passed away
Are you prepared to just stand
Asking if others are also willing to take action and not just observe
Ha ha, burning, burning, burning, burning, burning bright
Emphasizing the incredible power and vitality of the dream
Sha sha sha sha sha
Nonsensical vocalizations that add to the rhythm and energy of the song
Yes, we have a dream
Reiterating the message of hope and determination
Here it comes, here it comes, here it comes
Anticipating the arrival of the next challenge or obstacle
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Spirit Music Group, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: MICK BILLINGHAM, ROGER CHARLERY, DAVID WAKELING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind