Despite producing an excellent, melodic, catchy and very Magnum-like self-titled album the band was relatively short-lived with Clarkin announcing it's demise around 1999. The album "Hard Rain" (1997), follows the previous Magnum formula with Catley's superb vocals, Clarkin's guitars and use of backing keyboards in the older "prog rock" tradition; as well as a slightly funkier beat and harmonic backing vocals (Sue McCloskey). A second, more experimental album, "When the Good Times Come" followed in 1999.
In 1981, two tracks were written and produced by Clarkin and were sung by Sue McCloskey, a friend of Magnum. They were entitled "Really Need Your Love" and "Lost Inside Myself". After Catley left Hard Rain, Clarkin continued to write material with McCloskey. Some of these songs were broadcast on radio during an interview with Clarkin. Two of these songs surfaced as Magnum songs, "Still" and "Dream About You" on Magnum's 2002 studio album, Breath of Life.
Often overlooked but if you are a long-standing fan of Magnum then you're very likely to want the album "Hard Rain" in your collection as it rivals the best that the former band had to offer.
Shame for the Bad Boy
Hard Rain Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everyone could see a wall
Well, you should've listened to yourself
When you knew you'd got it all
There's a shadow at the roadside
Still waiting for you there, yeah, yeah
Well, it's everybody's daydream
Well, you got your invitation young
Didn't walk, you had to run
One day looks like sunshine
Next day there'll be rain, yeah, yeah
You're a shooting star
In electric skies
And your scarlet tears
In a young girl's eyes
Well, it's a shame for the bad boy
Shame for the bad boy
Read in the news, going to drive all night
Never see the morning light
It's a shame for the bad boy
Got a look of sweet perfection
Mirrored in your face
Pictures of a worried man
You were always out of place
Pushed it to the limit
Didn't seem to care, yeah, yeah
Doing eighty-five
In the westbound lane
Five fifty-nine
Will never be the same
Well, it's a shame for the bad boy
Shame for the bad boy
Now you're going to shine, burn so bright
Now you're going to lose your life
It's a shame for the bad boy
You're a shooting star
In electric skies
And your scarlet tears
In a young girl's eyes
Well, it's a shame for the bad boy
Shame for the bad boy
Now you're going to shine, burn so bright
Now you're going to lose your life
It's a shame for the bad boy
Well, it's a shame for the bad boy
Shame for the bad boy
Read in the news, going to drive all night
Never see the morning light
It's a shame for the bad boy
The song "Shame for the Bad Boy" by Hard Rain is a cautionary tale about the consequences of reckless behavior. The first verse talks about how the singer had a chance to achieve success but ended up hitting a wall because they didn't listen to their inner voice. The shadow at the roadside represents the danger lurking around the corner waiting for them, reminding them that they can never escape the consequences of their actions. The chorus emphasizes how it's a shame that the bad boy is going to lose his life, but it's no surprise given the choices he's made. The second verse depicts the bad boy's image of perfection that he tries to maintain, but he's unlike the rest and always out of place. Pushing himself to the limit, he doesn't seem to care about the risks he's taking, such as speeding down the westbound lane at an alarming rate. The bridge of the song highlights the fact that the bad boy's actions have consequences not just for himself, but also for the people around him, in particular, a young girl who sheds scarlet tears for him.
The overall message of the song is a call to take responsibility for our actions and to be mindful of the impact they have on our lives and others. It speaks to the human condition of taking risks and making mistakes but ultimately learning from them. Through the use of vivid imagery, the song gives us a glimpse into the life of a bad boy, reminding us of the classic idea that living fast and dying young is not an admirable way of life, but rather a cautionary tale of missed opportunities and unfulfilled potential.
Line by Line Meaning
Now you found that open doorway
You have stumbled upon an opportunity
Everyone could see a wall
But it is clear that you are now faced with a barrier
Well, you should've listened to yourself
You had a gut feeling about this situation
When you knew you'd got it all
And you felt like you had everything under control
There's a shadow at the roadside
But now there is a looming threat lurking nearby
Still waiting for you there, yeah, yeah
And it seems like it's waiting for you specifically
Well, it's everybody's daydream
Living life on the edge is a fantasy for many
But the nightmare always comes
But the harsh reality always sets in eventually
Well, you got your invitation young
You were offered an opportunity at a young age
Didn't walk, you had to run
But you were reckless and rushed into it
One day looks like sunshine
At first, everything seemed bright and positive
Next day there'll be rain, yeah, yeah
But soon enough, things started to go wrong
You're a shooting star
You are a bright and shining presence
In electric skies
Radiating energy in every direction
And your scarlet tears
But your tears are a symbol of the pain and suffering you experience
In a young girl's eyes
Which is reflected in the innocent gaze of a young girl
Well, it's a shame for the bad boy
It's a tragic ending for someone who lived life recklessly
Shame for the bad boy
And it is a source of sadness and disappointment for those who knew him
Read in the news, going to drive all night
It has been reported in the news that he drove all night
Never see the morning light
But unfortunately he did not live to see the light of day
Got a look of sweet perfection
He had a charismatic and charming appearance
Mirrored in your face
Which was reflected in his own face
Pictures of a worried man
But there were signs of concern and anxiety beneath the surface
You were always out of place
Because he never quite fit in with the norms and expectations of society
Pushed it to the limit
He took his actions and lifestyle to the extreme
Didn't seem to care, yeah, yeah
And it seemed like he was indifferent to the consequences of his choices
Doing eighty-five
He was driving at a reckless speed
In the westbound lane
Ignoring the rules of the road and endangering himself and others
Five fifty-nine
But unfortunately, it was only a matter of time before his luck ran out
Will never be the same
And the tragic ending will have a lasting impact
Now you're going to shine, burn so bright
But even though he had a wild spirit, he made a lasting impression
Now you're going to lose your life
Unfortunately, his boldness and daring ultimately led to his untimely death
Well, it's a shame for the bad boy
It's a sad truth and a painful loss for all those who knew him
Shame for the bad boy
But ultimately, it was his own choices that led to his downfall
Now you're going to shine, burn so bright
But his legacy and spirit live on, even if only in memory
Now you're going to lose your life
Although his reckless choices ultimately cost him his life
Well, it's a shame for the bad boy
He will be missed and mourned by all those who knew him
Shame for the bad boy
But his memory will always be a reminder to live life boldly, but not recklessly
Read in the news, going to drive all night
His reckless lifestyle and untimely demise will be reported in the news
Never see the morning light
And his tragic end will be a sobering reminder of the dangers of living life to the extreme
Contributed by Grayson W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.