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/
She's Gonna Love Ya to Death
John Parr Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She's the devil's child
Just for the hell of it
She drives men wild
Just like the spider
Hypnotizing the fly
She works them over
You can't deny her
Even though you try
She's a bird of prey
And she's getting her revenge
By tearing out the hearts
Of all the sad and family men
She's gonna love ya to death
Beware, there's evil in the dark
Her lovers all play a part
In some bizarre duet
She's gonna love ya to death
You're just a man without a name
Mixing passion with her pain
You'll feel the panic in your breathing
Lying there your body bleeding
Drowning in your seat (ah ah)
She's gonna love ya to death
She hands around the bar
And dressed to kill
If her perfume don't get 'em
Her leather pants will
But if she takes you home
You'll never survive
When the lovin's over
She'll eat you alive
She has a hanger
To be satisfied
Don't try to tell me
That her nightmare is a dream
I've felt her body quicken
And I've heard her mournful screams
Take her in your arms
Even though you're terrified
If you're on the road to hell
You might as well enjoy the ride
(She's coming for you)
She will cut
Then she'll watch you bleed
She will take you
With the Devil's speed
You want to break outta here
You want to be free
She will claw you back
You're on the slide
She will heat you up
Then watch you fry
You'll never get outta here
You'll never be free
(She's coming for you)
She's gonna love ya to death
Beware, there's evil in the dark
Her lovers all play a part
In some bizarre duet
She's gonna love ya to death
You're just a man without a name
Mixing passion with her pain
You'll feel the panic in your breathing
Lying there your body bleeding
Drowning in your sweat
She's gonna love ya to death
Beware, there's evil in the dark
Her lovers all play a part
In some bizarre duet
She's gonna love ya to death
You're just a man without a name
Mixing passion with her pain
Submitted by Michael Hack
In the lyrics of John Parr's song "She's Gonna Love Ya to Death," the character described as "Angel" is actually portrayed as the devil's child, highlighting her deceptive and manipulative nature. Despite her angelic appearance, she has a dark side that drives men wild, just like a spider hypnotizing its prey. This imagery suggests that she lures men in before ultimately draining them dry, metaphorically speaking, of their emotions and energy. The power she holds over them is undeniable, even when they try to resist her allure.
The song goes on to depict her as a predator, specifically a bird of prey seeking revenge on unsuspecting men, particularly those who are in committed relationships ("all the sad and family men"). The lyrics warn of the impending danger, emphasizing that she will love them to death, implying that her toxic love will ultimately lead to their downfall. The darkness and evil surrounding her actions are juxtaposed with the seductive allure she uses to ensnare her victims.
The imagery of her attire, such as her perfume and leather pants, further emphasizes her ability to captivate and ensnare those around her. The lyrics suggest that once she has her prey in her clutches, there is no escape, as her love turns into a consuming force that devours them whole. The imagery of her "eating you alive" symbolizes the destructive nature of her affections and how they can overwhelm and consume those who fall under her spell.
Overall, the song portrays a cautionary tale of a femme fatale character who embodies both desire and danger, encapsulating themes of passion, pain, and the inevitability of falling victim to her seductive and lethal charms. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a predatory relationship dynamic where the line between pleasure and peril is blurred, culminating in a chilling narrative of love leading to destruction and demise.
Line by Line Meaning
They call her Angel
Despite her angelic appearance, she embodies evil and temptation
She's the devil's child
She is truly a product of malevolence and darkness
Just for the hell of it
Simply for her own twisted pleasure
She drives men wild
She manipulates and ensnares men with her allure
Just like the spider
Similar to how a spider traps its prey in a web
Hypnotizing the fly
Captivating and entrancing her victims
She works them over
She controls and dominates them
Then she drains them dry
Emotionally and physically exhausting them
You can't deny her
Despite attempts to resist her, she is irresistible
She's a bird of prey
An apt metaphor for her predatory nature
And she's getting her revenge
Seeking vengeance for past wrongs in a twisted way
By tearing out the hearts
Destroying the emotional well-being of others
Of all the sad and family men
Especially preying on vulnerable and committed individuals
She's gonna love ya to death
Her twisted version of affection will lead to destruction
Beware, there's evil in the dark
A warning to recognize the darkness within her
Her lovers all play a part
Each victim is a pawn in her malicious game
In some bizarre duet
Their interactions form a twisted and deadly dance
You're just a man without a name
Reduced to nothing more than a disposable entity in her eyes
Mixing passion with her pain
Her inflicting both pleasure and suffering upon her victims
You'll feel the panic in your breathing
The fear and distress as the situation escalates
Lying there your body bleeding
Physical harm as a result of her destructive love
Drowning in your seat (ah ah)
Suffocating under the weight of her power and control
She hands around the bar
She lingers seductively, waiting to ensnare her next victim
And dressed to kill
Her appearance designed to entice and allure
If her perfume don't get 'em
Her scent alone is entrancing and captivating
Her leather pants will
Her provocative attire further draws in unsuspecting targets
But if she takes you home
Once in her lair, there is no escape
You'll never survive
The emotional and physical toll will be too much to bear
When the lovin's over
After her twisted version of affection fades
She'll eat you alive
Consume you entirely, leaving nothing left
She has a hanger
She possesses an insatiable appetite for destruction
To be satisfied
Her satisfaction comes at the expense of others
Don't try to tell me
Ignoring the warnings about her true nature
That her nightmare is a dream
Her malicious and destructive behavior is no illusion
I've felt her body quicken
Experiencing the intensity and danger of her presence
And I've heard her mournful screams
The cries of those who have fallen victim to her
Take her in your arms
Embracing the danger and risk despite the consequences
Even though you're terrified
Facing your fear and apprehension head-on
If you're on the road to hell
Choosing a path of destruction and chaos
You might as well enjoy the ride
Embracing the journey of destruction with reckless abandon
She will cut
Inflict pain and suffering
Then she'll watch you bleed
Twisting pleasure from the pain she causes
She will take you
Control and manipulate you entirely
With the Devil's speed
With a malevolent and calculated swiftness
You want to break outta here
Desiring escape from her clutches and influence
You want to be free
Yearning for liberation from her destructive love
She will claw you back
Dragging you back into her dangerous web
You're on the slide
Descending into chaos and darkness
She will heat you up
Increasing the intensity and danger of your situation
Then watch you fry
Observing your destruction and demise
You'll never get outta here
There is no escape from her grasp
You'll never be free
Forever ensnared in her twisted web
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BETSY DURKIN MATHES, JOHN PARR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind