They started off playing small gigs at the Empire warehouse and soon started touring the university circuit. The band made a name for themselves with outrageous gigs, performing naked and caked with mud, or with complete face and body paint. With a strong and dedicated following, HLAH got signed to Wildside Records, who at around the same time signed another Wellington act, Shihad.
In 1992, they recorded their first album, '13', at Writhe Studio. The band produced it themselves with the assistance of Brent McLaughlin. One of the singles off the album, 'Fish Across Face' made the New Zealand Top 10, however the video was pulled off air because of a scene where Nigel vomited some orange liquid into Booga's mouth (there happened to be a meningitis outbreak at the time).
HLAH continued touring the university orientation circuit and in 1993 returned to the studio to record material for a new album. The new album was recorded and given the title, 'Flik Y'Self Off Y'Self'. It was released in 1994 with two singles. 'Faster Hooves' was released, along with a video which featured Mark and Booga having a western style shoot out with finger guns. The other single was 'Spanish Goat Dancer'.
HLAH continued touring the country (including playing at the Big Day Out festival) and tragically in early 1996 their manager, Gerald Barry Dwyer (who also managed Shihad) died suddenly. They returned to the studio later in the year, this time at Sing Sing Studios in Australia to record their third album, 'Double Your Strength, Improve Your Health, & Lengthen Your Life'.
The first single off the album, 'Cornbag' was released in November 1996, and received some limited chart success. This was followed by the release of the album and more singles including 'A Crying Shame', 'Keith' and 'Hootnanny'. HLAH performed at the 1997 Big Day Out as the final act after the headliners Soundgarden, and had a huge crowd in The Supertop. HLAH also released around this time a video for their cover of 'I'm on Fire', a Bruce Springsteen song.
In November 1998, the band released it's final real album, 'HLAH:IV - Are You Gonna Kiss It Or Shoot It?', along with accompanying singles, 'Wet Rubber' and 'Juicy Lucy'.
Sometime in 2000, the band disbanded. A 'Best of' album was released in November, entitled 'Blood On the Honky Tonk Floor'. 'Blood On the Honkey Tonk Floor' featured two discs, the first covering the band's best and most recognised songs, while the second included all of the cover songs the band had recorded over their career.
In 2009 Head Like a Hole made a return, performing live and releasing another best of, 'The Devil Makes Work for Idle Hands'. In 2011 they followed this up with their 5th studio album, 'Blood Will Out'.
Summer Nights
Head Like a Hole Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Summer loving happened so fast
I met a girl crazy for me
Met a boy cute as can be
Summer days drifting away
To, oh, oh, the summer nights
Well-a well-a well-a, huh
Tell me more, tell me more
Tell me more, tell me more
Like does he have a car?
She swam by me, she got a cramp
He ran by me, got my suit damp
I saved her life, she nearly drowned
He showed off, splashing around
Summer sun, something's begun
But, oh, oh, the summer nights
Well-a well-a well-a huh
Tell me more, tell m, e more
Was it love at first sight?
Tell me more, tell me more
Did she put a fight?
Took her bowling in the Arcade
We went strolling, drank lemonade
We made out under the dock
Summer fling, don't mean a thing
But, oh, oh, the summer nights
Well-a well-a well-a huh
Tell me more, tell me more
But you don't gotta brag
Tell me more, tell me more
'Cause he sounds like a drag
He got friendly, holding my hand
She got friendly down in the sand
He was sweet just turned eighteen
Well, she was good you know what I mean
Summer heat, boy and girl meet
But, oh, oh, the summer nights
Tell me more, tell me more
How much dough did he spend?
Tell me more, tell me more
Could she get me a friend?
It turned colder, that's where it ends
So I told her we'd still be friends
Then we made our true love vow
Wonder what she's doing now
Summer dreams ripped at the seams
But, oh, those summer nights
Tell me more, tell me more
The lyrics from the Head Like a Hole's song Summer Nights are inspired by the classic film Grease. The song talks about a summer romance between two people, where they both recount their experiences and share their versions of the story. The lyrics are filled with innocence, excitement, and curiosity. The song takes us through various fun activities that they do together like bowling, strolling, and swimming, along with their moments of intimacy.
The song is a reflection of a romantic summer fling, and the lyrics highlight the highs and lows that come with it. The chorus "Tell me more, tell me more," along with the repetitive use of the word "summer nights," serves as a reminder of the carefree nature of summer vacation and the feelings of love that come with it.
In summary, the song is about a couple's summer romance, which has its ups and downs, but they still hold onto their memories of the summer nights.
Line by Line Meaning
Summer loving had me a blast
My summer romance was so exciting and fun.
Summer loving happened so fast
My summer romance started quickly and intensely.
I met a girl crazy for me
I met a girl who was really into me, possibly too much.
Met a boy cute as can be
I met a boy who was incredibly charming and attractive.
Summer days drifting away
The carefree summer days slipped away too quickly.
To, oh, oh, the summer nights
The summer nights were the most exciting and memorable part of the season.
Tell me more, tell me more
I want to hear more details about your summer romance.
Did you get very far?
Did your summer romance progress to a serious level?
Like does he have a car?
Is your summer fling wealthy or do they have a car?
She swam by me, she got a cramp
While swimming, the girl I was with got a cramp and needed my help.
He ran by me, got my suit damp
The boy I was with ran past me and accidentally got my clothes wet.
I saved her life, she nearly drowned
I heroically rescued the girl I was with from drowning in the water.
He showed off, splashing around
The boy I was with was being flashy and annoying by splashing around in the water.
Summer sun, something's begun
The intense summer sun marked the beginning of my exciting summer romance.
But, oh, oh, the summer nights
The summer nights were the most memorable and exciting part of the relationship.
Was it love at first sight?
Did you fall in love with the person right away?
Did she put up a fight?
Did the girl you were with resist or argue with you in any way?
Took her bowling in the Arcade
As a date, I took her to a bowling alley and played arcade games together.
We went strolling, drank lemonade
We walked around together and enjoyed refreshing drinks on a warm summer day.
We made out under the dock
We passionately kissed under the dock, away from prying eyes.
Summer fling, don't mean a thing
Although it was a fun summer romance, it wasn't meant to last or be anything serious.
But, oh, oh, the summer nights
The best memories from the summer romance were the exciting and romantic nights we spent together.
But you don't gotta brag
You don't need to boast or talk yourself up.
'Cause he sounds like a drag
Because the person you're talking about doesn't sound very interesting or exciting.
He got friendly, holding my hand
The boy I was with was being affectionate by holding my hand.
She got friendly down in the sand
The girl I was with was being flirty and physically affectionate on the beach.
He was sweet just turned eighteen
The boy I was with had recently turned eighteen and was very charming and sweet.
Well, she was good you know what I mean
The girl I was with was attractive and we had a lot of chemistry together.
Summer heat, boy and girl meet
The intense heat and excitement of summer brought the two of us together.
But, oh, oh, the summer nights
The best times we spent together were the hot summer nights filled with romance and excitement.
How much dough did he spend?
How much money did he spend on the date or relationship?
Could she get me a friend?
Could the girl introduce me to one of her friends who might be interested in me?
It turned colder, that's where it ends
When the weather cooled down, the excitement and intensity of the summer romance ended.
So I told her we'd still be friends
Although the summer romance ended, I promised to remain friends with the person I was with.
Then we made our true love vow
Even though the relationship wasn't meant to be serious, we made a promise to always care for each other.
Wonder what she's doing now
I think back on the summer romance and wonder where the girl I was with is now.
Summer dreams ripped at the seams
The dreams and hopes we had for the summer romance were shattered and torn apart.
But, oh, those summer nights
Despite the disappointment, the summer nights we spent together were still filled with excitement and passion.
Contributed by Samantha P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.