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/
Steal You Away
John Parr Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
standing in the dark
i swear i heard you calling my name
and now that things have changed
no pain no gain
something in your eyes
just told me that this nightmare would end
shouting from the highest steeple
let it out to all the people
playing on the loudest speaker
burning like the highest fever
you hit the right spot
no more lonely nights
with a restless heart
roll the dice
make a brand new start
read the words and you got shattered
you and me were old and battered
just one way im going to lose this restless heart
running away with you
human again
ill take you in my arms
and hold you till the fear is over
and now the race is won
shouting from the highest steeple
let it out to all the people
screaming on the loudest speaker
burning like the highest fever
you hit the right spot
no more lonely nights
with a restless heart
roll the dice
make a brand new start
read the words and you got shattered
you and me were old and battered
just one way im going to lose this restless heart
running away with you
theres a new horizon
that we're both headin to
its out there in the distance
and its playing out to
running away
no more lonely nights
with a restless heart
roll the dice
make a brand new start
read the words and you got shattered
you and me were old and battered
just one way im going to lose this restless heart
running away with you
The lyrics of John Parr's song "Steal You Away" describe a powerful and transformative love story. The singer proclaims that what he feels is not just a game, but a profound connection with someone. He believes that he has heard this person calling his name, even in the darkness. He recognizes that things have changed and acknowledges that there will be challenges ahead, as indicated by the phrase "no pain no gain." However, looking into the eyes of his beloved, he finds hope and reassurance that this nightmarish period will come to an end. The singer feels a deep bond with this person, someone who has become a friend and a source of support.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the singer's desire to express his love and joy to the world. He wants to shout it from the highest steeple, letting everyone know how he feels. The reference to the loudest speaker and the highest fever suggests the intensity of his emotions. The line "you hit the right spot" implies that this person has filled a void in his life, bringing him happiness and satisfaction.
The lyrics also touch upon the idea of finding solace in each other's arms. The singer promises to hold his beloved until the fear is over, symbolizing a sense of protection and comfort. He sees their journey together as a race that they have won, suggesting that they have overcome their past struggles and emerged victorious.
Overall, "Steal You Away" portrays a love that is transformative, empowering, and liberating. It celebrates the power of connection and finding refuge in the arms of someone who understands and supports you.
Line by Line Meaning
this is no game
This situation is serious and not to be taken lightly.
standing in the dark
Feeling lost and uncertain about what lies ahead.
i swear i heard you calling my name
I strongly believe that you were reaching out to me.
and now that things have changed
Since circumstances have shifted, things are different now.
no pain no gain
To achieve something worthwhile, it often requires enduring hardships.
something in your eyes
There was a certain expression in your eyes that revealed truth.
just told me that this nightmare would end
It conveyed the assurance that this difficult situation would come to an end.
and i have found a friend
And now I've discovered a companion who understands and supports me.
shouting from the highest steeple
Expressing loudly and passionately for all to hear.
let it out to all the people
Sharing my thoughts and feelings openly with everyone.
playing on the loudest speaker
Making a statement that cannot be ignored, commanding attention.
burning like the highest fever
Intensely passionate and driven, like a fever with great intensity.
you hit the right spot
You've touched me profoundly and accurately addressed my needs.
no more lonely nights
There will be an end to the nights filled with isolation and emptiness.
with a restless heart
With an unsettled and longing heart.
roll the dice
Taking a chance and embracing risk for a potential better outcome.
make a brand new start
Initiating a fresh beginning, leaving the past behind.
read the words and you got shattered
Once you understood the message, it deeply affected and broke you.
you and me were old and battered
Both of us have experienced hardships in the past, leaving scars.
just one way im going to lose this restless heart
There's only one path for me to find peace and contentment, leaving behind my restless nature.
running away with you
Escaping the troubles together, seeking a better life with you.
human again
Feeling alive and emotionally connected once more.
ill take you in my arms
I will embrace you tightly, providing comfort and security.
and hold you till the fear is over
Supporting you until all the fear and insecurity subside.
and now the race is won
Having overcome the challenges, victory has been achieved.
theres a new horizon
A promising future lies ahead, filled with new possibilities.
that we're both headin to
Both of us are moving toward that new horizon together.
its out there in the distance
It's visible, but still far away, requiring effort to reach.
and its playing out to
Its unfolding and shaping up as expected, following a certain course.
no more lonely nights
There will be an end to the nights filled with isolation and emptiness.
with a restless heart
With an unsettled and longing heart.
roll the dice
Taking a chance and embracing risk for a potential better outcome.
make a brand new start
Initiating a fresh beginning, leaving the past behind.
read the words and you got shattered
Once you understood the message, it deeply affected and broke you.
you and me were old and battered
Both of us have experienced hardships in the past, leaving scars.
just one way im going to lose this restless heart
There's only one path for me to find peace and contentment, leaving behind my restless nature.
running away with you
Escaping the troubles together, seeking a better life with you.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind