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.
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Hard Rain Lyrics
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We think we're so clever
And sing our own praise
Don't get it together
These are the days
Of secrets and lies (no compromise)
Got nothing to say
Angels in heaven better save me
Now we got to step back
Something's wrong, don't want to preach
Kickbacks
Half the world don't get to eat
Ain't no tracks
But there's trouble, I believe
Can't break free
Nothing's perfect, I concede
These are the days
We race down the highway
Computer ablaze
The technical skyway
These are the days
We don't hear the cries (only goodbyes)
Well, I'm lost in the maze
Angels in heaven better save me
Now we'd better step back
Information incomplete
Contact
Are we getting in too deep?
And back chat
Propaganda we don't need
They don't see
And they're going to make you bleed
Now we got to step back
Something's wrong, don't want to preach
Kickbacks
Half the world don't get to eat
Ain't no tracks
But there's trouble, I believe
Can't break free
Nothing's perfect, I concede
Now we'd better step back
Information incomplete
Contact, no contact
Are we getting in too deep?
And back chat
Propaganda we don't need
They don't see
And they're going to make you bleed
The lyrics of this song by Hard Rain convey a sense of urgency and a call to action for society to take a step back and assess the problems that are preventing progress. The song opens by describing how we have become so self-absorbed and caught up in our own lives that we fail to see the bigger picture. The first verse touches upon the various problems such as secrets, lies, and lack of unity that plague our society. The following chorus talks about the need to step back and reassess rather than ignoring the problems that we have. The second verse describes the technological advancements that have caused us to lose touch with the realities of the world we live in. The chorus repeats the need to step back and reassess, given that the basic needs of half the world's population are not being met. The bridge emphasizes the need for better communication and propaganda rather than pointless arguments. The song ends by emphasizing the hardships society must face and the need for society to break free from the societal norms that have kept them down.
The song beautifully portrays society's problems and urges us to step back and assess the actions that we need to take. It artfully combines different verses to deliver a powerful message that brings hope even in difficult times. The sense of urgency in the song's melody and the lyrics makes it a song that everyone should listen to, reflect upon, and act on.
Line by Line Meaning
These are the days
These are the times we live in
We think we're so clever
We believe we are intelligent and knowledgeable
And sing our own praise
And boast about our own accomplishments
Don't get it together
We fail to address issues
These are the days
These are the times we live in
Of secrets and lies (no compromise)
Of deception and dishonesty (without any middle ground)
Got nothing to say
We don't have anything worthwhile to express
Angels in heaven better save me
I hope for divine intervention
Now we got to step back
We need to reevaluate our actions
Something's wrong, don't want to preach
Something is amiss, but we don't want to preach or nag
Kickbacks
Corruption/pay-offs
Half the world don't get to eat
Half of the world's population suffers from hunger
Ain't no tracks
There are no clear signs or indicators
But there's trouble, I believe
Though vague, I sense trouble
Can't break free
We're stuck and can't escape
Nothing's perfect, I concede
I acknowledge that nothing is flawless
These are the days
These are the times we live in
We race down the highway
We hurry through our lives
Computer ablaze
Our obsession with technology
The technical skyway
The digital highway
We don't hear the cries (only goodbyes)
We ignore the pleas and only hear farewells
Well, I'm lost in the maze
I'm overwhelmed and perplexed
Angels in heaven better save me
I hope for divine intervention
Information incomplete
Lack of comprehensive knowledge
Contact
Communication with others
Are we getting in too deep?
Are we in over our heads?
And back chat
Unhelpful chatter
Propaganda we don't need
We don't require manipulative information
They don't see
They are unaware
And they're going to make you bleed
They will cause you harm
Now we'd better step back
We need to reevaluate our actions
Information incomplete
Lack of comprehensive knowledge
Contact, no contact
Lack of or ineffective communication
Are we getting in too deep?
Are we in over our heads?
And back chat
Unhelpful chatter
Propaganda we don't need
We don't require manipulative information
They don't see
They are unaware
And they're going to make you bleed
They will cause you harm
Contributed by Madison D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.