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 Keep A Close Watch
Human Drama Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Theres nothing much to choose
Between the right and wrong
Nothing lost and nothing gained
Still things arent quite the same
Between you and me
I keep a close watch on this heart of mine
I still hear your voice at night
When I turn out the light
And try to settle down
But theres nothing much I can do
Because I cant live without you
Any way at all
I keep a close watch on this heart of mine
I keep a close watch on this heart of mine
The lyrics to Human Drama's song "I Keep A Close Watch" describe the conflicted emotions of someone who is struggling with the aftermath of a lost love. The singer explains that they feel stuck in a state of limbo, where they cannot seem to move on from the past but also cannot find a way to reconcile with their former flame. The lines "never win and never lose, there's nothing much to choose, between the right and wrong" indicate the singer's inability to make a decision about what to do next, as they feel as though they are in a perpetual state of indecision. Additionally, the lyrics "nothing lost and nothing gained, still things aren't quite the same, between you and me" suggest that while the singer and their former partner may not have lost anything tangible, their relationship has been irrevocably changed and will never be the same again.
The chorus of the song, "I keep a close watch on this heart of mine," serves as a reminder that the singer is still grappling with the pain of their lost love. The lyrics suggest that the singer is trying to protect themselves from further heartache by maintaining a tight grip on their emotions. Even though they may want to move on and forget about their ex, they cannot help but keep their heart guarded.
Overall, "I Keep A Close Watch" is a poignant and introspective song that captures the heartache and frustration of trying to move on from a lost love.
Line by Line Meaning
Never win and never lose
I am constantly in a state of uncertainty, never succeeding nor failing.
Theres nothing much to choose
My options are limited and the decision-making process is not easy.
Between the right and wrong
The correct path is unclear.
Nothing lost and nothing gained
There is no progress or steps forward, only stagnation.
Still things arent quite the same
Despite the lack of change, the situation remains uncomfortable or unresolved.
Between you and me
Our relationship is strained or disconnected.
I keep a close watch on this heart of mine
My emotions are overwhelming and I must restrain myself from expressing them recklessly.
I still hear your voice at night
Your absence still affects me even when you're not around.
When I turn out the light
When I am alone and it is quiet, your presence is still conspicuous.
And try to settle down
Despite my discomfort, I attempt to calm and compose myself.
But theres nothing much I can do
Regardless of my efforts, the situation remains out of my control.
Because I cant live without you
I am dependent on you for my emotional stability and happiness.
Any way at all
In any circumstance, I need you in my life to feel complete.
Contributed by Aaliyah E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.