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.
Quiet Desperation
Human Drama Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Saw her through the window last night throwing needles at the wall
She begs to the prophet, point the path of least despair
Wipes mascara from her face, pulling wildly at her hair
She says to no one there, "You know I'm made of steel
Do you know where I'm coming from. Do you know how I feel?"
We live, we breath, we walk and talk and love
I've got poison in my ring, I'm not afraid to put to test
She claims as she begs him to stay
For she fears the lonliness
Like everyone else he says as he faces her threats and needs
You'll find me, too, on the floor tonight
Begging answers on my knees
We live, we breath, we walk and talk and love
In quiet desperation
We live, breath, walk and talk
In quiet desperation
Says, "I'm nobody's fool", as she waits for the phone to ring
Cries hard while the call doesn't come, even harder when it does
I look out the window, staring at the Moon
Wondering how I ever got here and will it be over soon
We live, we breath, we walk and talk and love
In quiet desperation
We live, breath, walk and talk
In quiet desperation
We live, breath, walk and talk
In quiet desperation
Desperation
In Human Drama's song "Quiet Desperation," the listener is presented with a portrait of a woman who seems tough and impenetrable, but is really just as vulnerable as anyone else. The lyrics suggest that this woman has a hard exterior, claiming to be "made of steel," but we see her vulnerability in the way she copes with her pain. We witness her throwing needles at the wall, and pulling frantically at her hair. These actions demonstrate her internal turmoil, despite her outward image of strength.
The woman in the song turns to a prophet to show her the "path of least despair." This phrase is deeply poignant, as it seems to suggest that there is no path without despair, and that the best she can hope for is a path with the least amount of it. Her cries for help go unheard, as she finds herself begging for answers on her knees.
The song punctuates its message with the repetition of the phrase "We live, we breathe, we walk and talk and love, in quiet desperation." This repetition highlights the idea that everyone is struggling in some way, and that often these struggles are kept private. The line "I look out the window, staring at the Moon wondering how I ever got here and will it be over soon" serves to emphasize the idea that everyone is dealing with some form of quiet desperation, and that it is a universal experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Says she's made out of steel, but I know she's flesh and blood
She puts on a tough façade, but I see through it and know that she's just as vulnerable as everyone else.
Saw her through the window last night throwing needles at the wall
I witnessed her giving into her frustrations and anger, expressing it in a destructive manner.
She begs to the prophet, point the path of least despair
She appeals to someone she sees as a spiritual guide for guidance on how to live a life with minimal pain and suffering.
Wipes mascara from her face, pulling wildly at her hair
She feels overwhelmed with emotions, resulting in physical manifestation of her distress.
She says to no one there, 'You know I'm made of steel
Speaking to herself or to someone who isn't there, she reiterates her toughness despite how she is feeling.
Do you know where I'm coming from. Do you know how I feel?'
Questioning if anyone truly understands her struggles and emotions despite the show of strength she puts on.
I've got poison in my ring, I'm not afraid to put to test
She possesses a means to end her suffering, and isn't afraid to use it if things become unbearable.
She claims as she begs him to stay
She begs for someone to not leave her, as she fears being alone.
For she fears the lonliness
Her fear of isolation and loneliness drives her actions and words.
Like everyone else he says as he faces her threats and needs
The person she pleads with knows all too well how it feels to be in her shoes, facing similar struggles and desperation.
You'll find me, too, on the floor tonight
Acknowledging that they, too, are dealing with their own quiet desperation, feeling helpless and defeated.
Begging answers on my knees
The need for answers and reassurance becomes a desperate plea for a way out of their pain and suffering.
Says, 'I'm nobody's fool', as she waits for the phone to ring
She asserts that she isn't easily fooled or naive, but still hopes for contact and connection with someone else.
Cries hard while the call doesn't come, even harder when it does
Her desire for communication with others causes her immense distress, whether or not it is fulfilled.
I look out the window, staring at the Moon
Reflecting on their life and decisions, searching for answers and meaning in the night sky.
Wondering how I ever got here and will it be over soon
Questioning how they arrived at their current state, and if there will be a resolution to their pain and struggle in the near future.
Contributed by Brody C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Mayra Cabrera
wuoo sin palabras me encanta ♥
psireyes Yo
Do you know how I feel?