The "classic lineup" of the group would reunite in 1999 and began recording new material. However, the group continued to change lineups and Guns eventually left to form the hard rock supergroup Brides of Destruction with Nikki Sixx of Mötley Crüe in 2002. L.A. Guns continued without Guns, bringing in guitarist Stacey Blades, however, following his decision to put Brides of Destruction on hiatus in 2006, Guns formed The Tracii Guns Band. The group's lineup consisted of former L.A. Guns members Black, Alexander as well as Jeremy Guns (though the lineup would eventually change), with the group eventually changing their name to L.A. Guns. Both groups continued to record and tour under the L.A. Guns moniker until 2012, when the Tracii Guns-led version of the group disbanded. Riley died in 2023.
L.A. Guns (feat. Tracii Guns and Phil Lewis) released a new single "Let You Down" on May 6, 2020. It was released as the first single from their then-upcoming fourteenth studio album Checkered Past, which was released on November 12, 2021, and featured producer Adam Hamilton on drums.
In May 2022, it was announced that Shawn Duncan had replaced Shane Fitzgibbon as their drummer. In the following month, guitarist Ace Von Johnson revealed that L.A. Guns had been working on new material for their next studio album. The resulting album, Black Diamonds, was released on April 14, 2023.
Waking the Dead
L.A. Guns Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This is the noise that I make when I wake the dead
Oceans collide inside my head
I have no fear, no use for pain
I am omnipotent
Yeah yeah yeah
Come wake the dead
Waking the dead
Yeah yeah yeah
This is the noise that I play when I raise the dead
Can't get this song out of my head
Black zombie radio
Come with me where I go
Yeah yeah yeah
Come wake the dead
Waking the dead
Waking the dead
Yeah yeah yeah
Come wake the dead
Waking the dead
Waking the dead
I have no fear
No use for pain, pain, pain, pain
Oceans collide inside my head, head, head, head
Raise the dead, dead
Raise the dead, dead
Raise the dead.
The lyrics to L.A. Guns's song Waking the Dead depict a person who is so powerful that they can wake the dead and control their every move. The first stanza sets this tone, with the person proclaiming that the noise they make when waking the dead is the noise of pure power. The second line, "oceans collide inside my head," indicates the massive force within their mind that enables them to control the dead. They have no fear or use for pain, which further emphasizes their omnipotence. The chorus repeats the phrase "come wake the dead," as if summoning others to witness their remarkable ability. The last stanza echoes the earlier sentiment, with the person once again stating that they have no fear or use for pain, and that they can raise the dead at will. The repetition of the phrase "raise the dead" reinforces their control and dominance over the dead.
Overall, the lyrics of Waking the Dead suggest an individual who is in control of the ultimate power - the power over life and death. This person has no fear, no use for pain, and complete mastery over the dead. Their commanding presence is emphasized through the repetition of lines and the triumphant tone of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah yeah yeah
An exclamation of eagerness and enthusiasm
This is the noise that I make when I wake the dead
Referring to their music as something that can bring the dead back to life
Oceans collide inside my head
A metaphorical description of intense and conflicting thoughts and emotions
I have no fear, no use for pain
Confident and unafraid, unwilling to suffer unnecessarily
I am omnipotent
Having unlimited power and control
Come wake the dead
Inviting others to join in their musical experience
Waking the dead
Continuation of the theme of their music reviving the lifeless
This is the noise that I play when I raise the dead
Repetition of the earlier line, emphasizing the power of their music
Can't get this song out of my head
The music is so infectious that it stays with the listener long after it ends
Black zombie radio
Describing the sound of their music as dark yet compelling
Come with me where I go
Encouraging listeners to follow their unique and exciting artistic vision
I have no fear
Reiteration of earlier line, reinforcing the idea of confidence and bravery
No use for pain, pain, pain, pain
An emphasis on the rejection of unnecessary suffering
Oceans collide inside my head, head, head, head
Repetition and intensification of an earlier line, emphasizing the power of the emotions expressed in their music
Raise the dead, dead
Closing line that drives home the theme of their music bringing life back to the lifeless
Raise the dead, dead
Reiteration of closing line, further reinforcing their central artistic concept
Raise the dead
Final repetition of the song's thematic refrain
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, RIVERTON ONE MUSIC
Written by: ADAM HAMILTON, PHIL LEWIS, STEVE RILEY, TRACII GUNS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind