John Parr's first entrance in to music was when he was 12-years-old and devised a band with two fellow schoolmates, which they named The Silence. The band enjoyed considerable success in the U.K. as the years went on. They eventually became professional and started to tour Europe. When Parr left the band, he joined a group called Ponders End. The progressive rock outfit picked up praise in the 70s as the 'best live act around' in Newcastle, along with the Dire Straits. In the end, however, they did not make a record deal, and the band's chapter in history closed, despite their local fame, without much fanfare.
Parr secured a publishing deal with Carlin Music in 1983, and American rocker and performer Meat Loaf asked him to write some songs for his new album in the same year. That led to the fateful meeting with John Wolfe (manager of The Who). Foreseeing the demise of The Who, a band that had been adrift upon the death of drummer Keith Moon, Wolfe was looking for a new venture and Parr seemed to be the one. The year of 1984 was Parr's first trip to America. He worked with Meat Loaf on the album 'Bad Attitude' while Wolfe was putting finishing touches on Parr's recording deal in New York.
The spirited arena rock track "Naughty Naughty" became Parr's first U.S. top 40 hit record, the single pushing his 1984 debut album, titled simply 'John Parr', up to #48 on the prestigious Billboard 200 chart. The song built his career up very quickly by achieving top three positions on rock station after rock station in America for up to six weeks. Then, 1985 saw him on the road with the band "The Business" (not to be confused with the British punk outfit of the same name), supporting fellow progressive rockers Toto and playing 10,000-seater venues across America. Though lightening didn't quite strike twice, Parr's tune "Magical" hit a respectable #28 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart, giving him some momentum. By the end of the tour, Parr had a call from one of the world's most successful producers, David Foster, that would be a key moment in his career
Foster requested Parr help with the soundtrack for the movie 'St. Elmo's Fire', a film featuring the popular 'brat pack' group of performers such as Demi Moore and Rob Lowe. "St. Elmo's Fire (Man in Motion)" was the result, a song that fit in well with the movie yet also had an important history as it was also written on behalf of Canadian wheelchair athlete Rick Hansen (the 'man in motion'). The song became a #1 hit for Parr in the United States while additionally reaching the top 40 in over six different nations. Though Parr would create many songs later on, over the years, the tune has become his 'signature song'.
Parr notably co-wrote "Under a Raging Moon" for Roger Daltrey, a song that paid tribute to the late Keith Moon while also telling the general story of The Who. The parent album became Roger Daltrey's biggest solo success in America. In 1986, Parr joined up with Marilyn Martin to sing the duet "Through the Night (Love Song from Quicksilver)", a part of the soundtrack to the cycling-themed Kevin Bacon movie of the same name. Though earning some critical praise, the album was only moderately successful commercially.
Parr additionally wrote and produced further tracks for Marylin's debut album, including her popular tune "Night Moves". After the success of Meat Loaf's mid-80s work, Parr got out in front once again with the song "Rock & Roll Mercenaries". From there, he began work with Albert Magnili (director of the film 'Purple Rain') on the movie 'American Anthem'; Parr wrote and performed the main theme, a number titled "Two Hearts". Though he maintained his own supportive fan base, he found mainstream commercial success to the degree of "St. Elmo's Fire" elusive.
The Pepsi Company and Jack Calmes Satellite TV Corporation wanted to try something new, specifically a gig from London beamed live across America, Japan & Australia on the college Satellite Network, in the late 1980s. Parr ended up serving as the featured act, having done two similar shows before (one from the Olympic Stadium in Los Angeles where the flame was lit for a special performance of St. Elmo's Fire and was beamed live for Japan as well as the New Year Christmas Show from London). The special ended up being a great success, reaching almost 50-million people and making broadcast history for the network.
Another dream came true for John Parr in 1988 when he was offered to collaborate with one of the most successful record producers ever. Robert John "Mutt" Lange, who had assisted with hard rock mega-hit albums such as AC/DC's 'Highway to Hell' and Def Leppard's 'Hysteria', agreed with work with Parr. Lange and Parr produced the self-titled debut album for the British blues rock outfit Romeo's Daughter, a work that earned mixed popular success yet had strong critical acclaim.
Nonetheless, when the 80s began to come to a close, Parr's fortunes declined as the arena-ready pop rock and progressive rock that he had produced fell out of style in favor of alternative rock and grunge music. Parr soldiered on, even trying his hand at commercial jingle writing in the 90s. Though saddled with the 'two hit wonder' label due to the outside success of his "Naughty Naughty" and "St. Elmo's Fire (Man in Motion)" singles commercially, Parr has kept on touring over the years, and he more recently joined the musical project known as Acoustic Fever alongside Herman Rarebell (from Scorpions), Bobby Kimball (from Toto), and others, touring in locations such as Hannover, Germany in 2014.
Website: http://www.johnparr.net/
Don't Leave Your Mark On Me
John Parr Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And a thousand angry demons up and took flight
I went running through the fields with the fever in my veins
And the rain came crashing down and tried to clear my name
Above my head, all in red, I could see you bearing down on me
You said you're not running out, you said you're not leaving now
I will find you, there is no way
I'll keep tracking you down in the still of the night
Chorus:
Don't leave your mark on me, no need to reply
I'm not staying, I'm just killing time
Don't leave your mark on me, no need to reply
I'm not staying, no, I'm not staying no
This nightmare never ends, memories of absent friends
Mistress of the darkness, accomplice of the night
A shadow in the doorway beckons me inside
And something led the way though I couldn't see its face
And a voice from deep inside me screamed to get out of this place
In my head, someone said that the jailor turned the key on me
He said you're not running out, he said you're not leaving now
I will find you, there ain't no way, no way, yeah
(chorus)
This nightmare never ends, memories of absent friends
(Solo)
Don't leave your mark on me
(Nightmares that will never end, drink a toast to absent friends)
(repeats out)
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The lyrics of John Parr's "Don't Leave Your Mark On Me" paint a dark and foreboding picture of a person trying to escape a nightmare that seems to have no end. The first verse describes the singer seeking refuge under the protection of another person, only to be pursued by a horde of terrifying demons. In the second verse, the singer is lured deeper into a shadowy realm by a strange voice, while another voice within urges them to escape. Despite this internal struggle, both verses end with the promise of someone or something relentlessly pursuing the singer.
The chorus, "Don't leave your mark on me, no need to reply, I'm not staying, I'm just killing time," speaks to the singer's desperate desire to break free from this dangerous situation. They don't want to be tethered to anyone or anything that could leave a lasting impact, because they don't know if they will ever be able to escape. They are only "killing time" until they find a way out. The song ends on a melancholic note, with the line, "Nightmares that will never end, drink a toast to absent friends," suggesting that the singer may never be able to fully escape the trauma they're experiencing.
Overall, "Don't Leave Your Mark On Me" is a hauntingly atmospheric song that explores themes of fear, isolation, and the struggle for self-preservation.
Line by Line Meaning
Under your protective wing I walked into the night
I trusted you and followed you into the unknown.
And a thousand angry demons up and took flight
My fears and doubts were silenced when I was with you.
I went running through the fields with the fever in my veins
I was caught up in the passion and intensity of the moment.
And the rain came crashing down and tried to clear my name
I faced obstacles and challenges, but I refused to let them defeat me.
Above my head, all in red, I could see you bearing down on me
You were my guiding light, even when things got tough.
You said you're not running out, you said you're not leaving now
You promised to stick by my side through thick and thin.
I will find you, there is no way
No matter what happens, I will always search for you.
I'll keep tracking you down in the still of the night
I will stop at nothing to be reunited with you.
Forever, you're mine forever
We belong together for all eternity.
Don't leave your mark on me, no need to reply
I don't want your negative influence in my life anymore.
I'm not staying, I'm just killing time
I am not committed to this relationship and am just passing the time.
This nightmare never ends, memories of absent friends
I feel trapped in this destructive relationship and miss my old life and friends.
Mistress of the darkness, accomplice of the night
You are like a dark force that controls and manipulates me.
A shadow in the doorway beckons me inside
I am drawn to the danger and excitement you represent.
And something led the way though I couldn't see its face
There is an unknown force driving me towards you, even though I can't explain it.
And a voice from deep inside me screamed to get out of this place
My inner voice is telling me that this relationship is toxic and I need to leave.
He said you're not running out, he said you're not leaving now
You are trying to control and trap me in this relationship.
I will find you, there ain't no way, no way, yeah
I know deep down that we are not good for each other, but I am still drawn to you.
Nightmares that will never end, drink a toast to absent friends
I am haunted by the memories of what could have been and the friends I have lost because of this relationship.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Markus Müller
What a great Song . A true masterpiece of John !
Michael Angerer
This is the greatest 80's video of all time!
Jim Geminelli
Great song!
The Time Detective
WOW! This is super good!
DO something
amazing .
VainEldritch
I know this was JP's song, but the lyrics are so much darker than this rather twee video would suggest. The words speak of a inescapable obsession that stalks and devours... forever, mine forever.
Howl's Moving Castle
Great song and video!!
I liked t-shirt, it's so 80's style and sexy when tore))
Conny Johnson
This is a killer song and so much better than Meat Loaf's somewhat lame cover version. This has such punch and flow and the great vocals of John is a joy to listen to. Long live the '80s!
13 strigoi
You should add Mark 2 to the main title. I much prefer the version off the self titled. Regardless thanks for posting these.
provoque leftswitch
1stアルバムのアレンジの方が好き。
フレットレスベースのフレーズ、カッコいい。