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.
One Man Down
House of Lords Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mark Baker - James Christian - Jimi Bell
I am a man in my twenty-second year
And I know that each day could be my last
I live each day with no sorrow or fear
I believe in no future or past
I just dream of my brothers who've gone
When I get tired and lonely
I just a soldier on
We are one man down
We are one man down
We are just one man and we'll turn this thing around
We are just one man and we'll turn this thing around
One man down
Life here in the jungle
Is peaceful and serene
If you like some napalm
With your coffee and your cream
And out here in the jungle
They play fast and loose
We get agent orange
In our morning orange juice
Yeah it's ok
Yeah, it's alright
Because they say
We are, we are just one man down
We can, we can turn thing around
Our fearless leader says we've got to
Hold our ground
Life here in the jungle
Is filled with savage grace
A ballet of destruction
Where you never see their face
But it's ok
Yeah, it's alright
Because they say
We are, we are just one man down
We can, we can turn thing around
Our fearless leader says we've got to
Hold our ground
C'mon boys, turn this thing around
But there's just one thing
And you know it's true
That one man down
Could one day be you
We are, we are just one man down
We can, we can turn thing around
Our fearless leader says we've got to
Hold our ground
Oh man, oh can't you see
Today that one man down
That one man down
That one man down is me
I am a man in my twenty-second year
And I know that each day could be my last
The song "One Man Down" by House of Lords is a powerful message about the reality and severity of war. The lyrics describe a soldier who is aware that each day could be his last and lives in a constant state of uncertainty. He finds comfort in the memory of fellow soldiers who have lost their lives and soldiers on, even when he is tired and lonely. Throughout the song, there is an image of the jungle and its violence, where soldiers live in a world of destruction orchestrated by their leaders. Despite the chaos, the leader demands that they hold their ground, and the soldiers have unwavering faith in their commander.
The chorus repeats "We are one man down," which highlights the value of each life and the collective mindset they have as soldiers. They understand that even though they are just one man, they can make a difference and turn things around. The song's impact comes into focus towards the end, where the soldier realizes that the one man down can be anyone, including himself. It's an acknowledgment of how all soldiers are vulnerable to the violence that surrounds them.
The song delivers a powerful message of brotherhood and selflessness. It reinforces the idea that soldiers must rely on each other in the face of danger and that their unity can make a difference. The song's lyrics also offer a commentary on war and conflict, questioning the motives and perspectives of leaders who often require their soldiers to make moral sacrifices. Overall, House of Lords's "One Man Down" is an emotional and thought-provoking song that reflects the reality of war and the human cost associated with it.
Line by Line Meaning
I am a man in my twenty-second year
I am a young adult who understands my mortality
And I know that each day could be my last
I am aware that life is short and unpredictable
I live each day with no sorrow or fear
I choose to live in the present moment without regrets or anxieties
I believe in no future or past
I am focused on the present and do not dwell on the past or future
When I get tired and lonely
When I feel exhausted and isolated
I just dream of my brothers who've gone
I seek comfort in the memories of those who have passed away from my group
We are one man down
One of us has died
We are just one man and we'll turn this thing around
Despite our loss, we will persevere and overcome
Life here in the jungle
Our current surroundings and situation
Is peaceful and serene
Despite the dangerous environment, we find a sense of calm
If you like some napalm
Making light of the horrific experiences we face regularly
With your coffee and your cream
A sarcastic reference to our lack of access to basic comforts or proper meals
And out here in the jungle
Further emphasis on the hazardous environment we are in
They play fast and loose
Those in charge are reckless and unpredictable
We get agent orange
Referencing the devastating effects of chemical warfare
In our morning orange juice
The chemical exposure is so pervasive that it contaminates even our basic sustenance
We are, we are just one man down
Reiterating the loss we have suffered
We can, we can turn thing around
Emphasizing our determination to improve our situation
Our fearless leader says we've got to
Our leader is resolute in his vision for success
Hold our ground
We must stand firm and defend our position
Life here in the jungle
We are still in our current dangerous location
Is filled with savage grace
The brutality of our surroundings has a kind of beauty
A ballet of destruction
The violence and chaos around us is coordinated in a destructive dance
Where you never see their face
Our enemies remain anonymous and hidden
But there's just one thing
Despite our optimism, there is an underlying concern
And you know it's true
We all understand this to be a possibility
That one man down
The loss of one of us
Could one day be you
No one is invincible, and any one of us could be the next to fall
Oh man, oh can't you see
Expressing frustration or desperation
Today that one man down
Drawing attention to our current reality
That one man down
Continuing to acknowledge our loss
That one man down is me
Accepting that the fallen comrade is the singer themselves
Contributed by Callie K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.