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.
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Diamond Sun
Glass Tiger Lyrics
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We gave our friendship, gave them our hands
But it was never to be
Oh, you must bow down
They said, "Fall to your knees"
Oh, diamond sun has to burn
Oh, are we never to learn
Oh-oh-oh-oh
Love gives life and life is love
But what have you done?
We have walked on this earth
Since the first star was shining
And the moon had its birth
But as with the shadows of lonely trees
We are in bondage but our hearts are still free
Oh, diamond sun has to burn
Oh, are we never to learn
Oh-oh-oh-oh
Love gives life and life is love
But what have you done?
Still diamond sun has to burn
Oh, are we never to learn
Still diamond sun has to burn
In my heart I believe
Someday the sun will shine
You shall be free
And bless our children as they're put to the test
You'll feel the heartbeat of a nation's unrest
Oh, diamond sun has to burn
Oh, are we never to learn
Oh-oh-oh-oh
Love gives life and life is love
Oh-oh-oh-oh
Love gives life and life is love
What have we done?
What have we done?
The song "Diamond Sun" by Glass Tiger is an emotive ballad that speaks to the struggles faced by indigenous people in their land. The lyrics suggest that when foreigners arrived at their land, indigenous people welcomed them with open arms, but unfortunately, it was never reciprocated. Instead of receiving a friendship, the natives were met with demands to bow down and fall to their knees. The chorus line "diamond sun has to burn" is a metaphor for how the power of the sun can destroy everything in its path, just like how the arrival of the foreigner destroyed the natives' livelihood. The parallel to how everything good must come to an end at some point is unmistakable.
The verse "we have walked on this earth since the first star was shining" refers to how indigenous people were the first to live on their land, and how their customs and traditions are ingrained in the history of their people. Despite the bondage and oppression they face, their hearts remain free. Furthermore, the longing for freedom and the hope of a better future for their children is evident in the final verse, which speaks to a brighter future where the sun will shine and bless their children.
Overall, the song Diamond Sun serves as a poignant reminder of the hardships that indigenous people face across the world. The lyrics capture the struggles of these minorities in a deeply poignant way that can resonate with anyone who has ever been oppressed.
Line by Line Meaning
When they came to this land
Refers to the arrival of foreigners or colonizers on this land
We gave our friendship, gave them our hands
We welcomed them warmly and showed them our hospitality
But it was never to be
However, the relationship between us and them was never peaceful
Oh, you must bow down
Their attitude of superiority towards us
They said, "Fall to your knees"
Their demand for us to submit to them
Oh, diamond sun has to burn
The idea that something pure and invaluable must be destroyed or sacrificed
Oh, are we never to learn
The question of whether we will continue to repeat our mistakes
Love gives life and life is love
The importance of love and how it is essential to life
But what have you done?
The reflection on our actions and how they may have caused harm to others
We have walked on this earth
The acknowledgement of the time and history of our existence
Since the first star was shining
Since the beginning of time
And the moon had its birth
Refers to the creation of the moon
But as with the shadows of lonely trees
A metaphor for how we may feel invisible or unimportant
We are in bondage but our hearts are still free
Although we may feel oppressed, we still have the power to love and believe
In my heart I believe
A statement of personal conviction
Someday the sun will shine
Hope for a brighter future
You shall be free
The idea of freedom for all
And bless our children as they're put to the test
Wishing the best for our children and their future
You'll feel the heartbeat of a nation's unrest
The acknowledgement of the struggles and hardships of a country or nation
What have we done?
The repetition of the question from earlier, emphasizing the importance of self-reflection and change
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Alan Graham Frew, Jim Vallance
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind