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.
Joanna
House of Lords Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Words out, so spread it around
Words out, and the word is true
I'm gonna make time to make time with you
I missed you when I played LA
Missed you in Detroit, in Philadelphia, PA
I missed you in Bowling Green
Oh... Joanna, I'm gonna take my time
Oh... Joanna, you've got a ticket to ride
Now listen up!
This tour we've got new rules
No wives, no girlfriends too
We're on the road, we said bye-bye
I'm gonna get you, baby, 'cause it's party time
You're the best I ever did find
That night in Kansas City, well, you blew my mind
And now you're gonna make my day
I'm bleeding for you, babe, and you're the best Band-Aid
Oh... Joanna, I'm gonna get you
Oh... Joanna, so you can do what you do, yeah
Oh... Joanna, you got a ticket to ride
I missed you when we played in Hong Kong
You know I tried to, baby, but I couldn't stay long
But I had you in Wichita Falls
I've been around the world, and Jo, you smoked them all
Oh... Joanna, I'm gonna take my time
Oh... Joanna, you got a ticket to ride
Oh... Joanna, I've gotta get to you, yeah
Oh... Joanna, so you can do what you do
Yeah, yeah, I like what you do, oh!
I'm gonna get to you
The song "Joanna" by House of Lords talks about a rockstar who missed a girl named Joanna in different cities during his tour. He mentions that Joanna had backstage passes but couldn't get to him. However, the rockstar is determined to meet her and mentions how she's the best he's ever found. He talks about missing her in Hong Kong but having her in Wichita Falls. The song implies that the rockstar is interested in Joanna and wants to spend time with her, despite the rules of the tour not allowing wives or girlfriends.
The lyrics could be interpreted in different ways. One interpretation is that the rockstar is genuinely interested in Joanna and wants to pursue a meaningful relationship with her; another interpretation could be that he sees her as a conquest and only interested in a fling. The song's catchy tune and repetitive chorus make it a popular choice for parties and live performances.
Line by Line Meaning
Words out, we're coming to town
We are arriving in town and everyone should know.
Words out, so spread it around
Share this news with everyone you know.
Words out, and the word is true
This news is real, not a rumor.
I'm gonna make time to make time with you
I will prioritize spending time with you.
I missed you when I played LA
I felt your absence when I was in LA.
Missed you in Detroit, in Philadelphia, PA
I missed you in different cities that we visited.
I missed you in Bowling Green
I missed you even when we were in Bowling Green.
You scored backstage passes, but you couldn't get to me
You had passes to my show, but we didn't get to meet.
Oh... Joanna, I'm gonna take my time
I will take things slow with you, Joanna.
Oh... Joanna, you've got a ticket to ride
You have an opportunity to be with me.
This tour we've got new rules
We've established new guidelines for this tour.
No wives, no girlfriends too
We won't be traveling with our significant others.
We're on the road, we said bye-bye
We are traveling and have parted ways with others.
I'm gonna get you, baby, 'cause it's party time
I'll be pursuing you because we are ready to have fun.
You're the best I ever did find
You are the best person I have found.
That night in Kansas City, well, you blew my mind
You impressed me that night in Kansas City.
And now you're gonna make my day
You will make me happy now, Joanna.
I'm bleeding for you, babe, and you're the best Band-Aid
I've been hurt, but you are the best remedy for me.
Oh... Joanna, I'm gonna get you
I'm going to pursue you, Joanna.
Oh... Joanna, so you can do what you do, yeah
I want you to do what you do best, Joanna.
Oh... Joanna, you got a ticket to ride
You have the chance to be with me, Joanna.
I missed you when we played in Hong Kong
I missed you when we performed in Hong Kong.
You know I tried to, baby, but I couldn't stay long
I attempted to spend time with you, but had to leave quickly.
But I had you in Wichita Falls
But I had you on my mind while in Wichita Falls.
I've been around the world, and Jo, you smoked them all
I've traveled to many places, but you're the best, Joanna.
Oh... Joanna, I've gotta get to you, yeah
I need to reach you, Joanna.
Oh... Joanna, so you can do what you do
I want you to showcase your talents, Joanna.
Yeah, yeah, I like what you do, oh!
I admire your skills and what you do.
I'm gonna get to you
I will do what it takes to reach you, Joanna.
Contributed by Mackenzie W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.