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.
Ugly
Love and Rockets Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And you like to point your finger at me
Who are you kidding, anyway
Who are you foolin' baby, today
Who are you kidding, anyway but me
AAH, AAH, OOH - DO DO DO DO
AAH, AAH, OOH - DO DO DO DO
Come on and take the great big road with me
Yes, I know just how ugly you can be.
I know why you paint your eyes
And I know how you hide your lies
And I know just how ugly you can be.
AAH, AAH, OOH - DO DO DO DO
AAH, AAH, OOH - DO DO DO DO
Because of the way that you need it
Because of the way that you steal it
Your love will never come your way
Because of the way that you need it
It's because of the way that you steal it
Yes, I know just how ugly you can be.
Yes, I know just how ugly you can be.
AAH, AAH, OOH - DO DO DO DO
The Love and Rockets song Ugly is a haunting yet catchy tune about a relationship gone sour. The lyrics are written from the perspective of someone who knows their partner's flaws and has grown tired of them. The song begins with the line "I know just how ugly you can be," which sets the tone for the rest of the song as the singer describes their partner's faults. The singer accuses their partner of being deceptive and hypocritical, saying "you like to point your finger at me" and "I know why you paint your eyes / And I know how you hide your lies."
Despite the accusatory tone, the chorus of the song is upbeat and almost danceable. The repetition of "AAH, AAH, OOH - DO DO DO DO" creates a sense of urgency and excitement, almost as if the singer is trying to convince themselves that they are better off without their partner. The bridge of the song offers a glimmer of hope to the listener, as the singer suggests they take the "great big road" together. However, this hope is short-lived, as the singer concludes the song with the line "Yes, I know just how ugly you can be," solidifying their decision to move on from the relationship.
Overall, Ugly is a powerful song about the complexities of love and relationships, and the pain that can come with realizing that someone you love may not be who you thought they were.
Line by Line Meaning
I know just how ugly you can be.
I am aware of your true character, which is unpleasant and unattractive.
And you like to point your finger at me
You enjoy placing blame on me, rather than taking responsibility for your actions.
Who are you kidding, anyway
You are not fooling anyone with your facade or attempts to deceive.
Who are you foolin' baby, today
You are not succeeding in tricking anyone today with your false persona.
Who are you kidding, anyway but me
You might think you are successfully deceiving others, but I am not fooled.
Come on and take the great big road with me
Join me on a journey towards truth and authenticity.
Yes, I know just how ugly you can be.
I am fully aware of your true, unappealing nature.
I know why you paint your eyes
I understand that you are trying to mask your true emotions and intentions with makeup.
And I know how you hide your lies
I am aware of your tendency to conceal your deceitful behaviors.
Because of the way that you need it
Your desperation and constant hunger for attention and validation drives your actions.
Because of the way that you steal it
Your methods of grabbing attention and validation often involve taking it away from others.
Your love will never come your way
Your unattractive personality and toxic tendencies will prevent you from finding love or positive connections.
It's because of the way that you steal it
Your habit of taking validation from others is a key factor in your inability to find love or genuine connections.
Yes, I know just how ugly you can be.
I am familiar with your unappealing personality and habits.
Contributed by Jayden E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.