In 1984, they released their self-titled debut album, which led to four top-ten hits in Canada: "New Girl Now", "Burning In Love", "Wave Babies", and "Stay In the Light". The song "New Girl Now" was the only single to reach the top-50 in the United States.
Their follow up album, The Big Prize, produced by Bruce Fairbairn, was equally successful in Canada, with four more hits: "Feel It Again", "What Does It Take", "Bad Attitude", and "All Along You Knew". Their song "Feel It Again" managed to reach the Top 40 in the US, "What Does It Take" reached no. 52, buoyed by its inclusion on the soundtrack for the John Cusack film One Crazy Summer. Much later in 1989, "Bad Attitude" was featured in the series finale of Miami Vice, played during a driving segment that mirrored one from the series' pilot episode.
In 1986, founding keyboardist Ray Coburn temporarily left the band, replaced by Rob Preuss of Burlington, Ontario-based Spoons. Also during 1986 the band produced a track for the Charlie Sheen film The Wraith - "Those Were the Days".
In 1988, their third album was released: Racing After Midnight, produced by Ted Templeman of Van Halen fame. That album made the top 10 in Canada. Singles included "Love Changes Everything", "Looking Out for Number One", "Cold Look" and "It's Over Now".
In 1989, Coburn rejoined the band just in time to release a greatest hits compilation, The Singles, which included the new single "Still Loving You". "The Singles" tour would turn out to be the last tour featuring the band's original line-up.
The band continued to tour in the '90s, although many line-up changes continued to occur, with only Dee and Grehan remaining as the founding members.
In 2002 they released their first new studio album in 11 years, Lemon Tongue. The album was released under an independent label. Later in 2002 they released Dreamland which was only available in Europe. It features many of the same songs from Lemon Tongue but included some new songs such as "Dreamland", "Radiant", "Even Now" and "Just Love Somebody".
In 2006 the band continues to tour in Canada, including a co-headlining tour with Glass Tiger. Their latest release is a collection entitled Feel It Again: An Anthology, a 2-CD set featuring the best of their work plus rare and unreleased material.
In June 2007, the band officially announced the return of a reunited classic line-up of Johnnie Dee, Derry Grehan, Ray Coburn, Gary Lalonde, and Dave Betts. The band toured extensively throughout Canada in 2007 and 2008 and then entered the studio to record a new album. The high point of the reunion was the new CD Clifton Hill, produced by Tom Treumuth (who produced the self-titled Honeymoon Suite debut album in 1984), and named after the famous landmark in the centre of the tourist activity in Niagara Falls. The album was released in Canada in late September 2008 on Koch Records and subsequently by Italian melodic rock label Frontiers Records on October 10, 2008. The new album is described by guitarist Derry Grehan as "somewhat of a return musically to the sound that we had in the '80s."
In 2009, the band continued to tour Canada and select Northeastern United States cities. However, on September 1, 2009, it was announced that the band had again parted ways with original keyboardist Ray Coburn. Peter Nunn returned to the band's line-up to replace him for the second time. The band made an appearance at Firefest 6 Nottingham, England in October, 2009.
On 18 November 2016, Honeymoon Suite released a 9 track EP, the first new music in 8 years, titled Hands Up on PledgeMusic website.
In February 2017, it was announced that Honeymoon Suite would appear at Rockingham Festival 2017, this to be held at Nottingham Trent University, UK, between 20 and 22 October 2017, the band scheduled to appear on Friday 20th.In the months approaching Rockingham 2017, the band cancelled their show to pursue a different opportunity. Their slot wa s replaced by John Parr.
On 26 September 2019, the band released their new single "Tell Me What You Want" on YouTube. On 19 June 2020, they issued another single entitled "Find What You're Looking For.
HONEYMOON SUITE — consisting of Johnnie Dee (lead vocals),Derry Grehan (guitars, keyboards, background vocals),Dave Betts (drums),Gary Lalonde (bass) and Peter Nunn (keyboards) — will release its new studio album, "Alive", on February 16, 2024.
The Way I Do
Honeymoon Suite Lyrics
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She was perfect in any light with an open heart and an open mind
In the beat of a heart it all would change
The fragile shell of a life would break
How do I get to you, so I can say to you I hear you're flyin, slowly dyin'
And if there's somethin' that you've been missin'
Just let somebody love you the way I do
Well you know that she really tried to change the ways
That ripped her deep inside
But every time the words would fall on the deafened ears
Of those who made her high
In the beat of a heart it all would change
Forever gone forever that way
The lyrics of Honeymoon Suite's The Way I Do speak to the experience of someone who has had a difficult life, particularly someone who has suffered from addiction or abuse. The singer describes a woman who was born and raised in California with all the privileges that should come with that, but who has been led astray by her circumstances. Despite her struggles, she is described as perfect with an open heart and an open mind, suggesting that the faults in her life are not her own. The lyrics seem to imply that she has tried to change her life, but has been held back by those around her who have not given her the help and support she needs.
The chorus of the song provides a message of hope and comfort to the woman in question. The singer wants to find a way to reach her so that he can tell her that he knows what she's going through, and that he loves her in spite of her struggles. He tells her that if there's something she's been missing, she should let somebody love her the way he does. The song takes on a melancholy, bittersweet tone, as though the singer knows that the woman he's singing about is unlikely to find the help she needs. The lyrics seem to suggest that love and support are not enough to overcome the obstacles that prevent people from living their best lives.
Overall, The Way I Do is a powerful, emotionally charged song that speaks to the struggles of many people who have experienced difficult lives. The lyrics are evocative and moving, and the melody has a haunting quality that reinforces the song's themes of loss and regret.
Line by Line Meaning
She was a California born and raised into a life she should a had
She grew up in California, but did not have the life she truly deserved
She was perfect in any light with an open heart and an open mind
Despite her circumstances, she remained pure-hearted and open-minded
In the beat of a heart it all would change
Things could change suddenly and drastically
The fragile shell of a life would break
Her life was fragile and could shatter easily
How do I get to you, so I can say to you I hear you're flyin, slowly dyin'
I want to reach out to you and let you know that I understand that you're struggling and need help
And if there's somethin' that you've been missin'
I know that you're missing something important in your life
Just let somebody love you the way I do
Allow someone to love and care for you deeply, like I do
Well you know that she really tried to change the ways
She attempted to change her situation and improve her life
That ripped her deep inside
But those efforts took a toll on her emotionally
But every time the words would fall on the deafened ears
Unfortunately, the people around her did not listen or understand
Of those who made her high
The people who were causing her pain were the ones who made her feel good at times
Forever gone forever that way
Her situation became permanent and unchangeable
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MELISSA ETHERIDGE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind