Indovina and Human Drama began their career in New Orleans in the early 80s as The Models, releasing two singles along with compilation appearances. A mid-'80s move to Los Angeles and the discovery of an already existing Australian band also named The Models set the stage for Indovina and company to begin their new incarnation.
The newly renamed Human Drama became a member of the "Scream scene" of the mid-'80s, which sprang up around the short-lived Los Angeles underground goth/metal club that brought Guns N' Roses and Jane's Addiction to the world. Human Drama contributed a song, "Wave of Darkness", to the 1987 Scream Compilation LP, which led to a major label deal with RCA.
1989 saw the release of the debut Hopes Prayers Dreams Heart Soul Mind Love Life Death EP and the full length Feel LP. Both releases featured a electric guitar-oriented approach. Indovina felt that RCA wasn't properly promoting the band, and the band and label parted ways.
Moving to the independent Triple X label, the next Human Drama release was 1992's The World Inside. Stylistically different from the first two releases, Indovina moved Human Drama into a quieter, more strings-based sound. This album is widely regarded as Indovina and Human Drama's most important work. The LP earned the band critical raves and a near fanatical following, especially in Mexico. A solo performance of various cover songs by Indovina at the album's release party predicted the next Human Drama album. Released in 1993, PinUps was an open tribute to David Bowie's album of the same name, a collection of remakes of various sources of inspiration.
A move to New York city accompanied a temporary co-release stint on the Projekt label, resulting in two additional mid-decade releases, 1994's Human Drama EP and 1995's Songs of Betrayal, which was later re-released as two separate discs with additional tracks.
The next Human Drama release would be a live album. 1997's Fourteen Thousand Three Hundred Eighty Four Days Later, featuring many of the early Feel-era songs, along with some new cover song choices.
1999 brought Solemn Sun Setting, which saw a merging of the two "different" Human Drama styles, before the following year's career overview, Best of Human Drama...In a Perfect World.
The final Human Drama album, 2002's Cause and Effect, continuing themes from Solemn Sun Setting, was an unexpected goodbye from Indovina and company, for both the band and their fans.
In 2004, Human Drama recorded their final track, the Beatles "Let It Be", which was given to fans who attended the band's farewell performance in Los Angeles. When asked why he chose "Let It Be" as their final recording Indovina answered, "I strived my entire career to write a song as good as that, but since I couldn't, I decided to record it as a salute to, what is in my opinion, the best song ever written".
Indovina has since moved on with his next project, Sound of the Blue Heart.
I Bleed for You
Human Drama Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I know when I'm cut and burning
One day I will put down the knife
Only when I trust another to hold it
I bleed for you
On my knees for you
I'll hand you heaven
This damn wind will change direction
It will stop you dead as you walk
Holding a nightmare called memory
That you led and held me to
The lyrics within Human Drama's song "I Bleed for You" hold a deep and complex meaning that touches on themes such as honesty, trust, and sacrifice. From the very beginning of the song, the phrase "Can't tell a lie from an answered prayer" suggests the singer's confusion between deception and genuine intentions. This internal struggle is further explored in the line "But I know when I'm cut and burning," which could be interpreted as the singer feeling pain and frustration from their inability to trust others.
The following lines "One day I will put down the knife, only when I trust another to hold it" display the idea of surrendering control and allowing oneself to rely on someone else. This act of vulnerability is a powerful decision that takes time and effort to establish. Further exemplifying this idea is the chorus's lyrics, "I bleed for you, on my knees for you, I'll hand you heaven, don't trade it for trinkets." This suggests that the singer is willing to sacrifice everything they have for the person they love, and they hope that they will equally value their love and respect.
Finally, the line "This damn wind will change direction, it will stop you dead as you walk, holding a nightmare called memory, that you led and held me to" speaks to the singer's experience with a past love that they were forced to let go of. The imagery of the wind changing direction is symbolic of the unforeseen circumstances that can abruptly interrupt a relationship. The singer also acknowledges the emotional turmoil they had to experience through their past relationship, and it's evident that they do not want to repeat the same pattern again.
Line by Line Meaning
Can't tell a lie from an answered prayer
I struggle to distinguish truth from my desires being granted, but I am aware when I am hurt or suffering.
But I know when I'm cut and burning
I am able to recognize the emotional pain I am experiencing.
One day I will put down the knife
At some point, I will stop hurting myself with my actions or thoughts.
Only when I trust another to hold it
I will only be able to let go of my harmful tendencies when I have faith that someone else can handle the responsibility.
I bleed for you
I am willing to suffer for you.
On my knees for you
I am submitting myself to you and offering my servitude.
I'll hand you heaven
I will give you the best that I have to offer.
Don't trade it for trinkets
Please don't exchange my genuine and valuable love for something insignificant or shallow.
This damn wind will change direction
Significant and unforeseen events will occur that could alter the course of our relationship.
It will stop you dead as you walk
These changes could bring our progress to a sudden halt.
Holding a nightmare called memory
I am haunted by painful and distressing recollections of our past together.
That you led and held me to
You caused or contributed to my suffering in some way, either knowingly or unknowingly.
Contributed by Liliana B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
fredy farcknath Sanchez
Me sorprende como auténticos artistas como él son opacados por gente sin el menor talento... Sin duda este es el mundo de lo absurdo
afflicta
Escucharla así en vivo me hace vibrar. Tanto que a veces las lágrimas solas se muestran.
Dreizs Steele
Seeeee! muy buen concierto eh! el sonido si te hacia vibrar literalmente!
Michael Dearmon
One of the greatest musical genuises in the history of rock a lot of people don't fuckin know who he is it's probably ment to be that way human dramas way underground my friend listen to the 1st record. FEEL then be the world inside a fuckin masterpeace I love Johnny Indovina more then anyone and he was just as inportant as rozz williams
AniRosa Tube - AniRosa Toon Vevo Moxie!
Perfeito!
Alexx B Indovina
la oi en vivo en noviembre y me encanto...
Mandaloolu
My ex fav song... well!
Howevs I love the anatomy of this woman's back and I have drawn in pencil and sculpted in clay❤
Alexx B Indovina
En Puebla, y espero que en Agosto la toquen nuevamente con human drama
Merlyn fire
Hermoso muy hermoso
Diana Andrea Rodríguez Díaz
pues te cuento que la escuchamos ayer en vivo y a todo color en El Plaza Condesa, DF...