House of Lords' eponymous debut was released in 1988, featuring a heavier sound than Giuffria with slightly less emphasis on keyboards, the debut received critical acclaim and the band toured with Cheap Trick and opened for Scorpions in 1989. The album featured one major hit, "I Wanna Be Loved" (Hot 100 #58). The Stan Bush penned "Love Don't Lie" was the second single but aside from some airplay on MTV it failed to ignite. Despite a successful tour, original guitarist Lanny Cordola left in 1990, replaced by Michael Guy.
Their next effort, 1990's Sahara, features Michael Guy and an impressive list of guest musicians. Other notable contributions to the album came from Doug Aldrich, Rick Nielsen, Chris Impellitteri, Mandy Meyer, David Glen Eisley, Robin Zander, Mike Tramp, Steve Plunkett and Ron Keel. The first single & video was the Blind Faith cover "Can't Find My Way Home" which did well on Album Rock radio peaking at #10.. The second single "Remember My Name" was a bigger hit at Top 40 radio hitting #72 on the Hot 100 and a Top 5 regular on DIAL MTV. Soon after the single peaked, Chuck Wright and Ken Mary (drummer) would leave.
1992's release Demons Down, described by Christian as his favorite release, features Dennis Chick (guitars), Sean McNabb (bass) and Tommy Aldridge (drums) as well as, sole original members, James Christian and Gregg Giuffria. The album spawned two singles for the title track and the ballad "What's forever for" which would have been massive in a pre-grunge climate. After recording demos to shop for a new label, the band parted ways.
From a business point of view, House of Lords never reached the same level of popularity that Giuffria did in the mid-eighties until Jeff Kent was called to pull the band out of its black hole at the Frontier Records, ready to drop the House of Lords after the bands disastrous ratings of "The Power And The Myth" CD. The sacking of original Giuffria vocalist David Glen Eisley by Gene Simmons was not the most clever decision, but accepted by Gregg Giuffria.
A new album was rumored to be released in 2002, with original members Lanny Cordola, Chuck Wright and Ken Mary. Two years later The Power And The Myth was released by Frontiers Records with lack luster ratings and songs, however Greg Giuffria had pulled out and keyboard work was done by guests Derek Sherinian, Allan Okuye, Sven Martin and Ricky Phillips.
In 2006 House of Lords released a truly new album with most all the melodies and lyrics written by Jeff Kent (formerly of Pierce Arrow, Dreams, CBS songwriter, MTM Songwriter, and Producer of countless songs and projects, including songs on Robin Beck's "Trouble or Nothin" CD, including the 20th Anniversary newly released version, her "Living on a Dream" CD lyrics written almost exclusively with Jeff Kent) and World Upside Down with a new lineup including Jeff Kent as a “full band member” pictured in his barrette on the CD cover as well as all over the inside jacket of credits. Jeff Kent also played all the Keyboard parts in spite of what their fans were told about Gregg Giuffria, who backed out at the last minute, but was paid for the use of his name and credits to keep the band’s continuity with their fans.
Soon to follow was a live album HOL released Live in the UK which was released in January 2007. To the band’s great pleasure, Melodicrock.com also included two of Jeff Kent's co-compositions on the double 20th Anniversary CD, regularly released by MELODICROCK.COM, the greatest authority on Heavy Melodic Rock music in the world today.
2008 was marked with the release of the long awaited next new studio album, where Jeff Kent was again solicited to write “all the lyrics and melodies” with the exception of one song on this new amazing CD. Even the title came from Jeff Kent's Lyric on the song “Come to My Kingdom”, used as the title of the entire CD Come to My Kingdom, which was again followed by a limited European, US tour. However, unfortunately, due to poor business decisions, this barely supported and promoted new album rated at 97% on Melodicrock.com's website. Jeff Kent's work on the World Upside Down CD raised the bar on Melodicrock.com to being rated at 96% after the bands poor effort on "The Power And The Myth." Recently, the band was asked to play for the first time in Brazil, together with White Lion and Tyketto (both for the first time in Brazil as well), in the Hard in Rio II Hard Rock Festival.
In 2009, the band plans to resume limited touring and continue the infamous Come to My Kingdom tour of Europe, starting in September 2009.
Child Of Rage
House of Lords Lyrics
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Ooh...
Tears falling down from grace
A smear upon her face
He leaves without a trace
Scars upon her mind
No reason for the crime
Never knowing why
And you, you're the only one, mm-hmm
That feels the pain and can't explain
But, girl, don't go
Oh, sweet child of rage
I can't feel your pain
The weight upon your shoulder
Oh, sweet child of rage
Mm, you turn the page, it's gonna change
Oh, sweet child of rage
And now your castles made of sand
And Santa's not your friend
No tinker bells and butterflies
And, oh-oh-oh-oh, child of rage
Your angry heart can change in heaven
There's a special place, mm-hmm
For little one's so full of pain
For, girl, hold on, yeah
Oh, sweet child of rage, yeah
I can't feel your pain
The weight upon your shoulder
Oh, sweet child of rage
Oh, you turn the page, and it's gonna change
Oh, sweet child of rage
Oh, sweet child of rage, yeah
I can't feel your pain
The weight upon your shoulder
Oh, sweet child of rage
Oh, I can't feel your pain
The weight upon your shoulder
Oh, sweet child
I can't feel you pain
No, I can't feel your pain
Oh, sweet child, oh, sweet child
Oh, sweet child of rage, mmm....
I can't feel your pain
I can't feel your pain
Sweet child of rage
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Sweet child of rage
Oh, yeah
The lyrics to "Child of Rage" by House of Lords describe the pain and confusion felt by a child who has been the victim of abuse. The first verse sets the scene with imagery of tears and scars, and suggests that the perpetrator has left without being held accountable. The chorus addresses the child directly, recognizing that they are the only one who can truly understand their own pain, but also offering support and hope that things will get better. The second verse speaks to the ways in which the abuse has affected the child's imagination and sense of whimsy, and again emphasizes that there is a brighter future waiting for them.
Overall, the song is a powerful affirmation of the resilience of survivors of abuse, and a call to support and honor those who have suffered in this way. It also suggests that these experiences can be transformative, and that there is hope for healing and growth even in the face of great pain.
Line by Line Meaning
Tears falling down from grace
Crying and feeling sad
A smear upon her face
The tears caused streaks on their face
He leaves without a trace
Someone left suddenly without a goodbye or explanation
Scars upon her mind
Emotional pain and trauma that won't go away
No reason for the crime
The cause of the trauma is unknown
Your playground left behind
The role of the victim in the trauma is unclear
Never knowing why
The victim cannot explain the cause of the trauma
And you, you're the only one, mm-hmm
The victim is helpless and alone
That feels the pain and can't explain
The victim is suffering in silence
But, girl, don't go
The victim is urged not to give up
Oh, sweet child of rage
The victim is suffering from intense anger and sadness
I can't feel your pain
The singer is unable to understand the depth of the victim's suffering
The weight upon your shoulder
The trauma is a heavy burden on the victim's psyche
Mm, you turn the page, it's gonna change
The victim is urged to move forward and overcome the trauma
And now your castles made of sand
The things that once brought the victim joy are now empty
And Santa's not your friend
A sense of innocence and trust have been lost
No tinker bells and butterflies
The joys of youth have been replaced with emptiness and pain
Your angry heart can change in heaven
The victim's anger can be resolved in a place of peace
There's a special place, mm-hmm
Heaven is a special place where the victim can find happiness
For little one's so full of pain
Heaven is a place for those who have suffered
For, girl, hold on, yeah
The victim is encouraged to hold on and not give up
Oh, I can't feel your pain
The singer acknowledges that they cannot truly understand the victim's suffering
Sweet child of rage
The victim is lost and struggling with intense emotions
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
An encouragement to keep on going, despite pain and suffering
Oh, yeah
An exclamation of encouragement
Contributed by Muhammad H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.