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.
Where Our Weakness Lies
Human Drama Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Against your will
I handed the knife to you
I lie here still
Believe not what you see or hear
Only what you feel
I've seen the greatest love stories
Inception to climax to end
Our foolish pride
We must conquer all
In our mightiest words
Our weakness lies
Grand is your love for me
Naked there you are
Still I dare you go further
You lie there still
You see nothing I want stands before me
All I need lies beyond
So open the door from inside
Show me all
these things you hide
Human Drama's song Where Our Weakness Lies addresses themes of love, power, and control. The lyrics begin by describing a violent act, where the singer has carved their initials into their partner's heart against their will. The disturbing imagery is reinforced by the next line, "I handed the knife to you, I lie here still," suggesting that the victim may have been complicit in their own abuse. However, the singer warns the listener not to believe what they see or hear - they should only trust their feelings. The rest of the lyrics explore the themes of pride and weakness, as well as the complexity of love.
The second verse describes the power dynamic in the relationship, with the singer daring their partner to go further and laying bare their own vulnerability ("Grand is your love for me, naked there you are"). The singer admits that they are seeking something beyond what their partner can offer, but they want their partner to help them find it ("So open the door from inside, show me all these things you hide"). The chorus highlights the idea that our greatest strength can also be our greatest weakness - our pride.
Line by Line Meaning
I carved my initials into your heart
I acted selfishly and left my mark on you without your consent
Against your will
Without considering your feelings or asking for your permission
I handed the knife to you
I made you hurt me because of my own wrongdoing
I lie here still
I am waiting for you to take charge of the situation and heal us
Believe not what you see or hear
Don't trust external circumstances or other people's opinions
Only what you feel
Follow your instincts and listen to your heart for guidance
I've seen the greatest love stories
I have witnessed firsthand how love can endure and triumph
Inception to climax to end
From the beginning to the peak to the conclusion, every love story goes through phases
Our foolish pride
We are too proud to admit our faults and fears
We must conquer all
We need to overcome our weaknesses and work together as a team
In our mightiest words
When we express ourselves with confidence and passion
Our weakness lies
Our vulnerability is found in our inability to be honest and vulnerable with each other
Grand is your love for me
Your affection for me is immense and admirable
Naked there you are
You have stripped away your defenses and exposed your true self to me
Still I dare you go further
I am challenging you to push past your comfort zone in this relationship
You lie there still
You are hesitant to take the next step and unsure of what to do
You see nothing I want stands before me
I have everything I thought I desired, but I feel like something is missing
All I need lies beyond
I realize that true happiness cannot be obtained from external possessions or achievements
So open the door from inside
Let go of your inhibitions and allow yourself to truly connect with me
Show me all
Be vulnerable with me and reveal your innermost thoughts and feelings
Contributed by Sophie A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.