The band is best known for their singles "Ball of Confusion" (1985, a Temptations cover), "No New Tale to Tell" (1987), "So Alive" (1989) and "No Big Deal" (1990).
L&R's first album was 1985's trippy Seventh Dream of Teenage Heaven; Seventh Dream was followed in quick succession by 1986's Express;which featured a cover of Ball of Confusion, which became a club hit. 1987's Earth * Sun * Moon and 1989's eponymously titled release Love and Rockets (all on Beggar's Banquet). Love & Rockets was met with cries of sellout due to the overly slick So Alive (the band toured stadiums following the hit single) and the group disbanded. Tracks recorded for an abandoned EP Swing were added to a reissue of Love & Rockets in 2002.
After working on solo albums they reformed, recorded material for Hot Trip to Heaven which infused dance/electronica elements into their sound. Fearing the world wasn't prepared for it yet in 1992, they waited until 1994 to release it. A fire destroyed the studio they were working in, and all material was scrapped. The next album, Sweet F.A. features one of Daniel Ash's charred guitars on the front cover. The final album Lift was an epic dance/electronic swan song, owing much to producer Doug DeAngelis, who was given honorary L&R member status. After the Lift tour, they disbanded again in 1999 to work on solo projects, and to reform Bauhaus for a series of tours. L&R reunited in 2007 at Coachella. Plans for a 2009/2010 release fell through as the band went their separate ways again.
On 23 January 2023, Love and Rockets announced a reunion for an appearance at the Cruel World Festival in Pasadena, California on 20 May 2023, the band's first concert in 15 years. They later announced a 2023 U.S. tour in support of their appearance at Cruel World. A Bauhaus reunion was aborted in 2022 after Peter Murphy forced the band to cancel the tour as he entered rehab. Daniel Ash said that the 2023 tour would be the band's final.
Yin and Yang
Love And Rockets Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like a dog in the pouring rain
Diamond days cut and dry
But beauty in the hurricane's eye
No golden hand, no golden sun
Diamond days cut and dry
But beauty in the hurricane's eye
Beauty beauty beauty beautiful
Beauty beauty beauty beautiful
Beauty beauty beauty beautiful
Alcohol is your yoga baby
Gonna call out my name
Then I'm gonna rain
All over you
All over you
Diamond days cut and dry
But beauty in the hurricane's eye
Beauty beauty beauty beautiful
Beauty beauty beauty beautiful
Beauty beauty beauty beautiful
Beauty beauty beauty beautiful
The song "Yin and Yang" by Love and Rockets explores the contrasting aspects of life - beauty and destruction, pleasure and pain, and how the two are interconnected. The opening line, "Under the wheel of the running train, like a dog in the pouring rain," sets a tone of hopelessness and being trapped, where one is powerless like a dog in pouring rain or under the wheels of a moving train. The reference to "diamond days" that are "cut and dry" refers to materialistic comforts and luxuries of life that may be attained easily but fail to provide lasting happiness. However, the beauty lies in accepting the chaos and hurricane-like situations, not running away from them but finding beauty in their eye by accepting and embracing it.
Moreover, the inclusion of "Alcohol is your yoga baby" represents escaping reality, finding an escape in the momentary pleasure of substances like alcohol. The line "Gonna call out my name, then I'm gonna rain all over you" could imply an intimate relationship or a moment of self-realization. Ultimately, the repetition of "beauty, beauty, beauty, beautiful" emphasizes the idea that despite experiencing hardships in life, there is always something beautiful to be found.
Line by Line Meaning
Under the wheel of the running train
Being crushed under the weight of a rapidly moving train.
Like a dog in the pouring rain
Helpless and drenched in the midst of a heavy downpour.
Diamond days cut and dry
Days that are defined and stagnant, lacking any excitement or movement.
But beauty in the hurricane's eye
However, amidst a storm, there is a center where it is calm and peaceful - this is where the beauty lies.
Under fire under thumb
Being oppressed and attacked without any freedom or control.
No golden hand, no golden sun
There is no external assistance or warmth to be found in this situation.
Alcohol is your yoga baby
Using substance abuse as a coping mechanism or escape from reality.
Gonna call out my name
Seeking comfort and connection from another individual by calling out their name.
Then I'm gonna rain
Offering emotional support and care.
All over you
Providing comfort and attention in all aspects of the individual's life.
Beauty beauty beauty beautiful
Repeating the word 'beauty' multiple times.
Beauty beauty beauty beautiful
Continuing to emphasize the subject of beauty.
Diamond days cut and dry
Again, referring to stagnant and uninspiring days.
But beauty in the hurricane's eye
Repeated to emphasize that amidst the chaos, there is still beauty to be found.
Beauty beauty beauty beautiful
Continuing to emphasize beauty.
Beauty beauty beauty beautiful
Final emphasis on the beauty in the midst of chaos.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jasonpaulelder
I saw this debut on MTV's 120 minutes show at the time. It was such a great surprise how they were creating many videos rather quickly. I'd say that it certainly grew more fans as a result. Once they had a collection of their music videos on VHS (including a special guest appearance by the Bubblemen), called "The Haunted Fishtank," I received it as a Christmas gift.
"Express" is such an excitingly energetic LP, overall (and, knowing it as leading with, "It Could Be Sunshine"). I just listened to it last night for the first in a long while, coincidentally. The melodic distortion and pop-like arrangements drove the album's sequence urgently like a locomotive; I suppose I should say, a "Kundalini Express." It was also at this time where I was just getting to know the discography of T. Rex, and could hear a healthy influence of Marc Bolan on Daniel Ash through the 4th to the 1st chord progressions.
At commercial record stores and another privately owned shop, I bought anything I could find on them through EPs, t-shirts, pins, their first album, and then the treasure of learning about Tones on Tail.
I should mention that although I knew of Bauhaus, I didn't actually start listening or collecting anything by them until about three years or more after Love and Rockets. They're certainly two bands, regardless of the common threads, and I needed time to get to know that library (and then followed Peter Murphy's career as well).
Anyway, I could probably write more, but I think I've adequately shown my appreciation in this comment.
@bigulf6712
The more time that passes, the more I realise this song, this album, and this band are all incredibly special.
@jaythekiller1424
My dad passed when I was 8. But before that he showed me this music and opened my eyes to such an amazing world of people and culture and now I'm so glad to say I grew so much from the life he gave me and he continues to inspire me.
@lorieprice9479
love and rockets is only one root in a beautiful flower. i am sorry for your loss
@Nina01x
So.. what up?
@TheChadTI
God bless you 🙏
@joy2955
Your dad sounds awesome. I'm very close with my dad and he just sent me this song. Thus I felt I should reply to your comment.
@jaythekiller1424
@@joy2955 im glad :)
@mr.g4785
I feel like we will never have music this good again. Ever.
@user-yn5ic2jr3y
Fact
@catcaruso
Sadly, I agree.....