His career:
At the age of nineteen, he earned an ARCT in classical piano performance from the Royal Conservatory of Music, in Toronto. Upon graduation, he enjoyed modest local success with the band Rhinegold in 1976.
After Rhinegold broke up in 1981, Lawrence Gowan began a successful solo career under his surname, "Gowan", releasing his self titled debut on Columbia Records in 1982. This album Gowan contained his first singles "Victory" and "Keep Up The Fight". His 1985 album Strange Animal was his first real Canadian commercial breakthrough, spawning the hit singles "A Criminal Mind", "(You're A) Strange Animal" and "Cosmetics". The album was produced by David Tickle (Prince, Split Enz, Sting, U2 ) and featured Tony Levin (King Crimson, Peter Gabriel) on bass / Chapman stick, and Jerry Marotta (Peter Gabriel) on drums. His 1987 follow up Great Dirty World was also produced by Tickle and again featured Tony Levin on bass but had session percussionist Nigel Olsson (Elton John) on drums. This album's arrangements were assisted by Bob Ezrin (Alice Cooper, Pink Floyd, Peter Gabriel) and gave him another breaking hit single, "Moonlight Desires," which featured Jon Anderson (Yes) on backing vocals.
1990's Lost Brotherhood featured Rush's Alex Lifeson on guitar', however, it was a commercial disappointment, and Gowan elected to pursue a change in his musical direction. Taking a more subdued, acoustic approach, he released an adult contemporary album ...but you can call me Larry in 1993, using his full name for the first time, and Lawrence Gowan returned to the Canadian charts with three strong singles: "When There's Time For Love", "Soul's Road", and "Dancing On My Own Ground". Gowan subsequently released critically acclaimed The Good Catches Up in 1995, which was produced by Eddie Schwartz (The Doobie Brothers, Paul Carrack), but the album did not generate singles or radio airplay. In 1997, Gowan released two live CDs: Sololive - No Kilt Tonight containing a strong rendition of Ragtime's classic "King Chanteclerc Rag", and Au Québec with an evocative cover of Harmonium's "Pour Un Instant", as well as his first French song, "Stéphanie", which was dedicated to his supportive Quebec fan base.
In 1997, Gowan released "Healing Waters" as a tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales after her death. However, despite what many believe, this song was not originally written for this purpose. It was, in fact, used in its original form in the 1995 soundtrack for the movie 'When The Bullet Hits The Bone' (starring Jeff Wincott), which was two years prior to the infamous accident that killed Diana. Although this song is not actually listed in the movie's credits, it plays a significant role within the film. After the Princess' death, the lyrics were modified by Gowan into the version that fans have come to know.
Gowan's classic "A Criminal Mind" was covered in 2005 by Canadian hip-hop artist Maestro; and Gowan appears in the song's video with his vocals sampled on the recording.
In February 2006, Lawrence Gowan did four orchestra accompanied concerts in London, Ontario and Kitchener, Ontario. On March 23rd, 2010, The Return of the Strange Animal was released by Linus Entertainment featuring remastered versions of the original recordings packaged alongside a documentary on the making of his breakthrough CD at Tittenhurst Park with Peter Gabriel's band mates. The disc features some of the original demo recordings, two new songs, and full resolution videos, including an animated cartoon entitled "The Checkmate: Ominous Spiritus 2010". The disc closes with a Live recording of "Criminal Mind" featuring his current band, Styx.
Gowan has guest-starred on the Canadian animated comedy series Chilly Beach, and he has also displayed a passionate love for ice hockey by playing for The Rock & Roll All-Stars, a celebrity team that participates in charity events across Canada.
Cosmetics
Gowan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Only to shop 7th Avenue
They got what she wants
You just don't get it over there
Oh, she's so attractive
She'll do anything to stay that way
Money's no object
To make a boy stop and stare
High fashion model magazines
Runways of ageless beauty queens
Everything for the girl next door
Manhattan styles, Parisian look
Lipstick and cheekbones by the book
She'll never leave you wanting more
Oh, she looks so Cosmo
Her eyes can talk to a camera
No imperfection protecting every man's dream
Ooh, she'll hypnotize you
Right from her hair to her fingernails
In shadows and highlights
She'll make you burst at the seams
High fashion model magazines
Runways of ageless beauty queens
Everything for the girl next door
Manhattan styles, Parisian look
Lipstick and cheekbones by the book
She'll never leave you wanting more
High fashion model magazines
Runways of ageless beauty queens
Everything for the girl next door
Manhattan styles, Parisian look
Lipstick and cheekbones by the book
She'll never leave you wanting more
The opening lines of "Cosmetics," by Gowan, immediately establish the central character as someone who is willing to travel great distances for fashion. She has flown from London all the way to shop on New York City's legendary 7th Avenue. It is clear from the description that she is looking for something that she cannot find back home. The repetition of the idea that "they got what she wants / you just don't get it over there" reinforces the notion that this woman is looking for something specific, and that she is willing to go to great lengths to achieve it.
The woman is described as "so attractive" and "hypnotizing." She is someone who is willing to "do anything to stay that way" and has "no object" when it comes to spending money on her appearance. The lyrics suggest that she is a high fashion model or at least someone who aspires to that level of beauty and glamour. The descriptions of "lipstick and cheekbones by the book" and "shadows and highlights" create an image of someone who is constantly striving for perfection in her appearance.
Despite her intense focus on her appearance, the woman is described as someone who will "never leave you wanting more." This suggests that her beauty is not superficial, but rather a reflection of her inner confidence and charm. The repetition of the chorus, with its descriptions of "high fashion model magazines" and "runways of ageless beauty queens," reinforces the idea that the woman at the center of the song is part of a larger world of glamour and style. Overall, "Cosmetics" is a celebration of beauty and style, and the power that they can have over those who admire them.
Line by Line Meaning
Flew in from London
She traveled all the way from London
Only to shop 7th Avenue
Her main purpose for coming is to shop on 7th Avenue
They got what she wants
The stores on 7th Avenue have what she's looking for
You just don't get it over there
She couldn't find what she wanted in London
Oh, she's so attractive
She is very beautiful
She'll do anything to stay that way
She is willing to do whatever it takes to maintain her beauty
Money's no object
She has enough money to spend on maintaining her appearance
To make a boy stop and stare
Her ultimate goal is to attract male attention
High fashion model magazines
Magazines featuring models wearing high-end fashion
Runways of ageless beauty queens
Fashion shows featuring models who always look beautiful
Everything for the girl next door
Fashion styles that are achievable for the average person
Manhattan styles, Parisian look
Fashion styles inspired by New York and Paris
Lipstick and cheekbones by the book
Applying makeup according to traditional, fashionable standards
She'll never leave you wanting more
Her beauty and fashion choices are always satisfying
Oh, she looks so Cosmo
She has a fashionable look that would fit in the magazine Cosmopolitan
Her eyes can talk to a camera
She has captivating eyes that would look good in photographs
No imperfection protecting every man's dream
She has no noticeable flaws that would detract from her attractiveness
Ooh, she'll hypnotize you
Her beauty is captivating and mesmerizing
Right from her hair to her fingernails
Her entire appearance is carefully crafted to be attractive
In shadows and highlights
Her makeup is expertly applied to create shading and highlighting effects
She'll make you burst at the seams
Her beauty is so overwhelming it could make someone emotional
Lyrics © Anthem Entertainment
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Edward Bliss
When I was in highschool in 1985, this would be the soundtrack in my mind while walking the halls and locking glances with girls I had a crush on
Autumn Moon
Hahhaa!😄 thats awesome!
Heartwaves
Still love this song and video, and still remember you singing this one in concert many moons ago, putting on an amazing show as you always do!!!
Chris L
My word you are beautiful ;) ageless beauty Queen you are ;)
War Chief
Gowan, You’re a Strange Animal is on iTunes, 80’s Hits Essentials. I’ve owned a lot of mixes and none of them were ever complete without Gowan. This is no plug for iTunes, but to acknowledge that after 36 years of buying music, I’ve finally found a playlist that includes thee one and only Titan of Earths greatest musical artists. Nothing could be what it is today thanks to Gowan.
Tamsyn Elizabeth
Seeing this in high quality has definitely made my month 💕🤘
Don Bonin
That bass though...
Mike Flavin
Tony Levin 👍
Kathryn Williams
Always energy in everything Gowan does!
80's Totally Awesome Music Videos
This video just blessed my 80's Gowan loving heart!❤Thanks!