Gramm sang lead vocals on all of Foreigner's arena rock classics such as "Feels Like The First Time", "Cold As Ice", "Hot Blooded", "Urgent", "Double Vision", "Juke Box Hero", "Head Games", "Dirty White Boy" and "Say You Will", as well as the popular power ballad tunes "Waiting For A Girl Like You" and "I Want to Know What Love Is".
In 1987, during Foreigner's hiatus, Gramm released the album Ready Or Not which brought him positive critical reviews and a top five hit single with "Midnight Blue". This was followed by a second solo effort Long Hard Look, which brought a Top Ten hit "Just Between You and Me", and "True Blue Love", which reached the Top 40. Gramm also performed the title song from the 1987 movie soundtrack The Lost Boys, titled "Lost in the Shadows (The Lost Boys)".
Shadow King was formed in 1990, by Lou Gramm, Def Leppard guitarist Vivian Campbell, Foreigner bass player Bruce Turgon, and drummer Kevin Valentine. Shadow King only had one official studio release, their 1991 eponymous debut album, Shadow King. Although Gramm, Turgon, Campbell and Valentine contributed the song "One Dream" to the Highlander II: The Quickening soundtrack in 1991, the track was officially credited to The Lou Gramm Band.
He also appeared on the Don Mancuso solo cd "D Drive" doing lead vocals in 4 songs and co writing on 2 in 2004. He has now released The Lou Gramm Band's The Lou Gramm Band cd in 2009 with his brothers Ben & Richard. Also writing and appearing on the Christian Rock release are former Black Sheep guitarist Don Mancuso and Andy Knoll on keyboards.
Broken Dreams
Lou Gramm Lyrics
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And I walk through the night alone, stay away from home
I watch the midnight sky
And wonder why is the moon so cruel, shining on this fool
I've let heaven walk away, I need to feel you in my arms again
I was king for just one day, that's long enough to know, I can't let go
[Chorus:]
Now I climb this mountain high
Dreams for sale, tears and rivers running dry
It won't keep the world from turning
Oh, broken dreams for sale
Still can feel the heat, running through me with the speed of light
I need you here tonight
Memories come and go, let me love you just once again
I didn't know better then
There's a corner in your heart, a hideaway not even I can see
I grow weaker in the dark, strong enough to know, I can't let go
[chorus]
Tears and rivers running dry
It won't keep the world from turning
Oh, broken dreams for sale
There's a corner in your heart, a hideaway not even I can see
I grow weaker in the dark, strong enough to know, I can't let go
[chorus]
The lyrics of Lou Gramm's song "Broken Dreams" speak to a feeling of longing and heartbreak. The singer of the story is clearly missing someone deeply, and the loneliness is palpable in the opening lines. The imagery of walking through the night alone and watching the moon shine on him, a "fool", emphasizes the sense of isolation and despair. The line "I've let heaven walk away" underscores the idea that the missing person was some kind of salvation or paradise, and without them, the singer is lost. The reference to being a king for just one day is bittersweet - he had a taste of something great, but now it's gone forever.
The chorus of the song is about climbing a mountain but not being able to escape the pain of broken dreams. The metaphorical language suggests that the singer is trying to transcend his hurt, but it's still very present. The line "dreams for sale" is interesting - it could mean that the singer is selling off his old dreams in order to make way for new ones, but it could also mean that his dreams are literally for sale, since he's lost the person that made them possible. The final lines of the song suggest that even though the singer is weakened by his heartbreak, he knows he can't let go. He's trapped, in a sense - unable to move on but also unable to regain what he's lost.
Line by Line Meaning
Still no news from you
I haven't heard from you and it's making me feel alone and isolated
And I walk through the night alone, stay away from home
I wander through the darkness, avoiding my own home because it feels empty without you
I watch the midnight sky
I stare up at the stars and moon, hoping to find some comfort or answers in their company
And wonder why is the moon so cruel, shining on this fool
I can't help but feel that the moon and stars are mocking me, reminding me of my foolishness and loneliness
I've let heaven walk away, I need to feel you in my arms again
I know I've lost something precious and I'm desperate to have it back, to feel your presence and love once more
I was king for just one day, that's long enough to know, I can't let go
I had a taste of something great and it's only made me more determined to hold onto it, even though it's slipping away
Now I climb this mountain high
I push myself to new heights, hoping to escape my sadness and find some kind of redemption
It won't stop my heart from burning
No matter what I do or how far I go, I can't shake the longing and pain in my heart
Dreams for sale, tears and rivers running dry
I'm left with nothing but empty dreams and a sense of loss, even as I exhaust myself trying to keep them alive
It won't keep the world from turning
My troubles and pain may seem all-consuming, but ultimately the world keeps moving forward regardless
Oh, broken dreams for sale
My shattered hopes and dreams are all I have left, and they feel worthless and forlorn
Still can feel the heat, running through me with the speed of light
Despite everything, I still feel a spark of love and passion for you, intense and unrelenting
I need you here tonight
I crave your presence and comfort, more than anything else in the world
Memories come and go, let me love you just once again
I have memories of us together, but they feel like cruel taunts now that we're apart - I just want to hold you again
I didn't know better then
At the time, I didn't realize how important you were to me, and now I'm paying the price
There's a corner in your heart, a hideaway not even I can see
I know there are aspects of you and your feelings that I will never fully understand or be able to access
I grow weaker in the dark, strong enough to know, I can't let go
Despite my weakness and despair, I know that I can't give up on the hope of being with you again
Tears and rivers running dry
I've cried so much that it feels like there's simply nothing left inside of me
Oh, broken dreams for sale
All I have left to offer are my shattered hopes and dreams, which feel worthless and unattainable
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: LOU GRAMM, INA WOLF, PETER F WOLF
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind