Originally a covers band playing ballsy renditions of songs like 'Sorry', 'I Need to Know', 'Turn Up Your Radio' and of course their trademark 'Spicks & Specks' they soon developed a large repertoire of catchy originals.
In late 1979 drummer Steve Brabeck resigned and Phil Edwards took his place. After breaking up in July 1981 three of the founding members, the Rooney brothers John & Michael and Tom Watson, reformed with drummer Greg Ohlback & Guilio Mariani in November 1981. By February 1982 Greg & Guilio had left and Phil Edwards returned to play drums. In March 1982 they recorded their first single which was released in July. The double A side single Don't Feel Safe/Last Kiss rapidly sold the 1,000 copies which were pressed. In September 1982 Down Around the Corner was released on the 2UW Homegrown album and in June 1983 this was followed up by another single Ambition backed with Tonight. Down Around the Corner was then released on a Waterfront Records promotional EP in late June 1983.
After several years of intense gigging the band broke up again in February 1984 leaving behind numerous demo tapes and other recordings which to date have not been released.
In 1989 the band reformed with Dale Steedman replacing an unavailable Michael Rooney on bass and Anthony Bautovich rejoining on 2nd guitar. They released The Spell backed with Last Chance on Regular Records and in 1994 the Lonely Hearts called it quits.
War Brides
Lonely Hearts Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Peace time starts with bullets and ends in a parade
Friday night, the old man said, ?We've gone too far?
By midnight, he forgot his troubles at the bar
And we feel just like we've never lived
The TV says we did
Is this what we think freedom is all about?
Sorrow, all dressed up in a uniform
Tomorrow your child ain't coming back to where he's from
Back home the old man said, ?It's for the best?
Because narrow is the path to righteousness, I know
And we feel just like we've never lived
The TV says we did
Is this what we think freedom is all about?
And we feel just like we've never lived
The paper says we did
Is this what we think freedom is all about?
And we feel just like we've never lived
The TV says we did
And is that what we think freedom is all about?
And we feel just like we've never lived
The paper says we did
Is this what we think freedom is all about?
The lyrics of Lonely Hearts' "War Brides" delve into the complexities of war, peace, and freedom. The song begins with a regretful tone, acknowledging that the characters involved did not take the time to find their way, presumably into a stable and peaceful life. Instead, peace is only found in the aftermath of war, when bullets are fired and parades are held. Even though they appear to have a sense of living their lives without meaning, the TV and the papers are stating otherwise.
The sorrow that comes with war is palpable, as we see a mother mourning the loss of her child, who won't be coming back. However, there's a hint of justification heard in the lyrics, with the "old man" saying that it's "for the best". With the sentiment that the path to righteousness is narrow, it seems as though the loss was unavoidable, and was necessary for the greater good. This is a common argument in times of war, and this song echoes that reality. The repeated line "Is this what we think freedom is all about?" is a reminder that the sacrifices made during wartime are not always a guarantee of freedom, and that there are often terrible costs involved. The song as a whole is a poignant and thought-provoking exploration of war and its consequences.
Line by Line Meaning
War brides, we should have took time to find our way
As women married soldiers during the war, they quickly realized that they had to learn to adapt and survive on their own. They regret not taking enough time to find their true path.
Peace time starts with bullets and ends in a parade
Even when the war is over, the peace it brings comes at a cost. It starts with a violent aftermath and ends with a celebration of victory, but it's not really a peaceful resolution.
Friday night, the old man said, ?We've gone too far?
The old man realizes that they went too far and that the cost of war might be too high.
By midnight, he forgot his troubles at the bar
The old man seeks refuge at the bar, forgetting his troubles and the problems that plague him.
And we feel just like we've never lived
The TV says we did
Is this what we think freedom is all about?
The soldiers feel like ghosts, like they have lost a part of themselves during the war. The media portrays them as heroes, but is this really what freedom is all about?
Sorrow, all dressed up in a uniform
Tomorrow your child ain't coming back to where he's from
Wearing a military uniform and serving your country can bring profound sadness, especially when the child of a soldier does not return home from the war.
Back home the old man said, ?It's for the best?
Because narrow is the path to righteousness, I know
The old man accepts that the cost of war was necessary for a greater good. He believes that there is only one righteous path, and that is what he is fighting for.
And we feel just like we've never lived
The paper says we did
Is this what we think freedom is all about?
The soldiers feel numb, like they haven't really lived through the war. Newspapers proclaim their bravery, but is that really what freedom is all about?
And we feel just like we've never lived
The TV says we did
And is that what we think freedom is all about?
The media portrays the soldiers as heroes, but they don't feel that way. And if the media twists the truth about a soldier's experience, what does that say about what they think freedom is all about?
And we feel just like we've never lived
The paper says we did
Is this what we think freedom is all about?
The soldiers experience a sense of emptiness, like they've missed out on something important. Newspapers might say otherwise, but is this really the cost of freedom?
Lyrics © CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP, Capitol CMG Publishing
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