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.
Field Of Shattered Dreams
House of Lords Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He could hear the echoes of the fight
He would always check his scope
Before he'd load his magazine
He tried to fight the fire in his head
And fought to keep the focus sharp instead
He never knew he'd ever be
A hero at nineteen
It's time to go (inside he knows)
He's on his own (so all alone)
No compromise (none in his eyes)
No questions why, never say die
On the field of shattered dreams
They rise to pull themselves together
In this land of liberty
They wear their Purple Hearts forever
He wet his face to wash the fear away
He said a prayer behind the barricade
He looked out on the desert
As they rolled on down the road
There wasn't any warning or retreat
When twenty-seven vanished in the heat
They never knew that they were going down
Not going home
No compromise (none in his eyes)
No questions why, never say die
On the field of shattered dreams
They rise to pull themselves together
In this land of liberty
They wear their Purple Hearts forever
No compromise (none in his eyes)
No questions why, never say die
On the field of shattered dreams
They rise to pull themselves together
In this land of liberty
They wear their Purple Hearts forever
On the field of shattered dreams
They rise to pull themselves together
In this land of liberty
They wear their Purple Hearts forever
The song "Field of Shattered Dreams" by House of Lords is a tribute to the brave soldiers who fought in the war and the sacrifices they made for their country. The lyrics describe the thoughts and experiences of a soldier who wakes up in the middle of the night, haunted by the echoes of the fight. He prepares himself mentally and physically, checking his scope and loading his magazine before heading out onto the field. He tries to keep a clear head and focus on the task at hand, but the fire in his head and the fear in his heart never fully subside.
The soldier faces tremendous adversity and stands alone on the field with no compromise, no questions asked, and a "never say die" attitude. He faces the harsh realities of war and experiences the loss of his fellow soldiers. However, despite the devastation, he and his fellow soldiers rise up to pull themselves together and fight for their land of liberty wearing their Purple Hearts forever.
The song provides a powerful tribute to the sacrifice and bravery of soldiers who put their lives on the line for their country. It emphasizes the importance of never giving up, no matter what obstacles may come our way. The title of the song, "Field of Shattered Dreams," refers to the physical and emotional scars that soldiers carry with them long after their service is over, yet they continue to push forward.
Line by Line Meaning
He woke up in the middle of the night
He suddenly awoke from sleep in the middle of the night.
He could hear the echoes of the fight
He could still hear the sounds of the battle he had recently fought.
He would always check his scope
Before preparing his gun, he would confirm and make sure his aim and target were both accurate.
Before he'd load his magazine
He would only load his gun after verifying all safety measures to ensure proper functioning.
He tried to fight the fire in his head
He attempted to battle and control his mental state and maintain his focus and concentration.
And fought to keep the focus sharp instead
Putting in tremendous effort to concentrate on the job at hand and retain his mental clarity to remain functional.
He never knew he'd ever be
At that moment, or in his wildest dreams, he never imagined of being a hero.
A hero at nineteen
However, at only nineteen, he had become a hero.
It's time to go (inside he knows)
He knows it's time to move and complete his duty.
He's on his own (so all alone)
He is by himself and in complete isolation while performing his duty.
No compromise (none in his eyes)
He never compromises, and his unwavering determination is evident in his eyes.
No questions why, never say die
He has no questions about his duty or mission and is ready to lay down his life if necessary.
On the field of shattered dreams
The battlefield, where many ambitions, hopes, and aspirations have been destroyed or crushed.
They rise to pull themselves together
The survivors try to regain their spirit and composure despite the chaos and trauma.
In this land of liberty
This place of freedom and democracy where every individual has equal rights.
They wear their Purple Hearts forever
Despite the struggles and pain, they continue to honor their courage and determination by wearing the Purple Heart medal.
He wet his face to wash the fear away
To show bravery and overcome his fears, he washed his face with water.
He said a prayer behind the barricade
He took some time to meditate and pray for strength and good fortune while hiding behind a barricade.
He looked out on the desert
He observed the barren desert-like environment while also being careful of any danger that could arise.
As they rolled on down the road
As the convoy or troop marched from one location to another.
There wasn't any warning or retreat
There was no initial warning or indication, and retreating was not an option.
When twenty-seven vanished in the heat
During a heat wave, twenty-seven people disappeared, presumably due to the harsh and dangerous conditions.
They never knew that they were going down
They never knew that they were on a path to fail and be defeated.
Not going home
There are no guarantees that they will make it back to their homes and loved ones safely.
Contributed by Parker D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.