Glass Tiger's debut album The Thin Red Line (1986) produced two hit international singles, "Don't Forget Me (When I'm Gone)" [#2 on Billboard] and "Someday," [#5 on Billboard], and featured additional singles "I Will Be There [#34 Billboard] and domestic single "You're What I Look For". The album set a record for being the fastest selling debut recording in Canadian history, going gold within weeks of its release. To date, this album has received four Platinum records in Canada and went Gold in the United States.
Glass Tiger's sophomore release Diamond Sun, spawned domestic Canadian singles "Diamond Sun," "I'm Still Searching," "My Song," and "(Watching) Worlds Crumble," and achieved Double Platinum status in Canada.
Simple Mission, their third album, was not formally released in the USA, but it went Platinum in Canada and featured the singles "Animal Heart", and the Celtic duet "My Town" with Rod Stewart. "My Town" was also featured on a special 'Back-To-Back' series compilation in the early 90's and sold through EMI-Capitol's Special Market's division.
Several of Glass Tiger's songs were co-written and produced by Bryan Adams' collaborator, Jim Vallance. In fact, Adams makes a cameo in their top single "Don't Forget Me (When I'm Gone)". The band won three Juno Awards in 1986 and two more in 1987. They were also nominated for a Grammy Award in 1987. In late 1988, Chris McNeill (drums), a sought after session drummer joined the band, and the foursome have been touring and playing ever since.
Glass Tiger released a special DVD 'No Turning Back' in 2005, which is a special commemorative 20th Anniversary DVD collection featuring their many videos and a couple of new songs, "No Turning Back" and "Give It Away". It also features footage of the band touring in Europe supporting Tina Turner in 1987 and in Ireland performing with The Chieftains.
On June 23, 2005, Glass Tiger appeared on the NBC show Hit Me, Baby, One More Time, performing their classic hit "Don't Forget Me (When I'm Gone)" and covering "Everything You Want" by Vertical Horizon. Although they lost the audience voting to Thelma Houston, Glass Tiger were judged the winners by online voters.
In early 2006 Glass Tiger released their first live CD, GT Live which was recorded in 2005 at the Phoenix Concert Theatre in Toronto. The band is currently working on a special TV production and is very active touring and performing, with over 50 shows a year. In 2008 lead singer Alan Frew published "The Action Sandwich", lessons from a tour bus, with his perspective and insight into the trials and tribulations of life in a rock band on the road. The band did a special support trip to visit the Canadian troops in Afghanistan in March, 2009, accompanied by many of the NHL's hockey legends.
www.GlassTiger.ca
Worlds Crumble
Glass Tiger Lyrics
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Their fears, cold tears fall to the ground
And their words just echo more lies
More plans, blood stained hands all around
Look at me, I'm watching worlds crumble
Look at me, I'm making walls tumble
Take my hand, oh Lord, it's all I've got
With their hearts they ask me to stay
One life, one voice, calling me
I see their eyes and I can't look away
Oh God, why do people have to suffer every day
Look at me, I'm watching worlds crumble
Look at me, I'm making walls tumble
Take my hand, oh Lord, it's all I've got
Look at me, I'm watching worlds crumble
I know there's more than just you
You know it's all I can do
I know there's more than just you
You know it's all I can, all I can do
Oh, thinking 'bout you
Look at me, I'm watching worlds crumble
Look at me, I'm making walls tumble
Look at me, I'm watching worlds crumble
I know I've got to give it all I got
Look at me, I'm watching worlds crumble
Look at me, I'm making walls tumble
I've got to give it all I got (got to give it all)
Take my hand, oh Lord, it's all I've got (take my hand)
(Oh, it's all I've got)
Look at me, I'm watching worlds crumble
I know I've got to give it all, got to give it all
Oh Lord, I'm watching worlds crumble
Oh
The lyrics of Glass Tiger's "Worlds Crumble" express the singer's feelings of helplessness and despair as he witnesses the suffering and injustice in the world. He sees the fear in people's eyes and the tears they shed, and he is haunted by the lies and bloodshed that seem to be all around him. Despite the pain and confusion he feels, the singer also hears the voices of those who ask him to stay and make a difference. He realizes that he cannot solve the world's problems alone, but he is willing to do what he can to make a positive change.
The chorus of the song, "Look at me, I'm watching worlds crumble, Look at me, I'm making walls tumble," expresses the singer's determination to fight against the forces of darkness and destruction. The line "Take my hand, oh Lord, it's all I've got" suggests that the singer is turning to a higher power for strength and guidance in his mission. The song ends with a repetition of the idea that the singer must "give it all I've got" because there is so much suffering in the world.
One interesting fact about "Worlds Crumble" is that it was co-written by Jim Vallance, a Canadian songwriter who has worked with many famous artists, including Bryan Adams and Aerosmith. According to Glass Tiger vocalist Alan Frew, Vallance had originally written the song for Bryan Adams, but Adams passed on it, so Vallance offered it to Glass Tiger instead.
Another interesting fact is that "Worlds Crumble" was the first single released from Glass Tiger's 1991 album "Simple Mission." The album marked a departure from the band's earlier pop-oriented sound and was more rock-oriented.
Line by Line Meaning
I can see the look in their eyes
The singer notices a particular expression in the eyes of the people around them.
Their fears, cold tears fall to the ground
The people's fears are causing them to cry, and their tears are falling onto the ground.
And their words just echo more lies
The people's words are not trustworthy and they are only telling more lies.
More plans, blood stained hands all around
There are more violent plans being made, and people have already shed blood.
Look at me, I'm watching worlds crumble
The artist is witnessing the destruction of entire worlds.
Look at me, I'm making walls tumble
The singer is capable of breaking down barriers and obstacles.
Take my hand, oh Lord, it's all I've got
The singer has nothing but their faith to offer.
With their hearts they ask me to stay
The people are deeply invested in convincing the artist not to leave.
One life, one voice, calling me
There is a single individual who is urging the artist to stay.
I see their eyes and I can't look away
The people's eyes hold the artist's attention and they cannot look away.
Oh God, why do people have to suffer every day
The singer is questioning why there is so much pain and suffering in the world.
I know there's more than just you
The artist understands that there are other forces at play.
You know it's all I can do
The singer acknowledges that they are only capable of doing so much.
Oh, thinking 'bout you
The singer is reflecting on a particular person or situation.
I know I've got to give it all I got
The singer recognizes that they must give everything they have in order to make a difference.
I've got to give it all I got (got to give it all)
The artist repeats that they must put forth all their effort.
Take my hand, oh Lord, it's all I've got (take my hand)
Again, the artist emphasizes that all they can offer is their faith and support.
Look at me, I'm watching worlds crumble
The singer is witnessing yet another world falling apart.
I know I've got to give it all, got to give it all
Once again, the singer recognizes the need to give everything they have.
Oh Lord, I'm watching worlds crumble
The artist is despairing at the destruction they are witnessing.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Alan Graham Frew, Sam Reid, Jim Vallance
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind