Considered to be one of Australia's more successful rock bands of the late 1980s, their self-titled debut in 1987 had a series of successful singles, such as "No Lies," "Take Me Back," and "Welcome to the World." The band's second album, 1989's Touch, proved to be less successful commercially. Noiseworks disbanded in 1992, shortly after the release of the group's third album, Love Versus Money (1991).
Stevens has forged a successful solo career since Noiseworks with the albums Circle and Ain't No Life For The Faint Hearted. He went on to become the lead singer of INXS, but left after when he became frustrated with the band's lack of progress in generating new material.
2012 - The Band are in the studio recording a new album and touring later this year!
Discography:
Noiseworks (1987)
Touch (1989)
Love Versus Money (1991)
Greatest Hits (1992)
The band reformed in early 2007 and in 2011 toured Australian Winery's with Festival concerts.
Official Sites:
Official Website
MySpace
River Of Tears
Noiseworks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Watch you fall away like I knew you would
Keepin' it all inside, keepin' it in your head
And no one will ever keep you satisfied
[Chorus]
'Cause with this heart that's breaking
I stand before the sea
In this world we live
Is it now or never
Do we sail a river of tears
Or do we stand together in this world we live
You might hide away but we should, you hide yourself
Nobody ever said that it would be easy
Keepin' it all inside like another dream
For no one will ever see you the same again
[Chorus]
We can work it out
Let's work it out, yeah
We can work it out
Let's work it out, yeah
Let's work it out
[Chorus]
The lyrics to Noiseworks' song "River of Tears" are emotional and philosophical, reflecting on the trials and challenges of life. The opening lines suggest that the singer has experienced disappointment, possibly in a relationship. They have been on a journey of self-discovery and have watched someone they care about "fall away." The next line implies that the person has kept their feelings bottled up, leading to a sense of isolation and dissatisfaction.
The chorus is a plea for understanding and direction in a confusing and often frustrating world. The singer stands "before the sea," a metaphor for the vast and uncertain nature of life. They feel like they are struggling to navigate their way through it all and wonder whether their efforts will ultimately lead them to success or simply more pain and heartache. The imagery of sailing a "river of tears" is particularly powerful, suggesting that life is full of sadness and sorrow. The ultimate question is whether we will face these challenges alone or stand together, united despite our differences.
Overall, "River of Tears" is a song about the human condition, about the struggle to find meaning and purpose in a complex and often overwhelming world. It speaks to those who have experienced disappointment and heartbreak, encouraging listeners to keep working towards a better future, together.
Line by Line Meaning
I've come down the road finding out myself
I have arrived at a point in my journey where I am discovering who I am.
Watch you fall away like I knew you would
I witnessed your departure as if it was an anticipated event.
Keepin' it all inside, keepin' it in your head
You're suppressing your emotions and thoughts within you.
And no one will ever keep you satisfied
Nothing can please you, and you will always be discontent.
'Cause with this heart that's breaking
I stand before the sea
How we struggle for direction
In this world we live
Is it now or never
Do we sail a river of tears
Or do we stand together in this world we live
Despite my broken heart, I face the vastness of the ocean, symbolizing life's uncertainties, and wonder if we navigate through hardships alone, or we find solace and support in each other.
You might hide away but we should, you hide yourself
You may retreat, but that doesn't mean you should isolate yourself entirely.
Nobody ever said that it would be easy
It's challenging, and nobody promised it would be straightforward.
Keepin' it all inside like another dream
You stash your emotions away like you are burying another unfulfilled dream.
For no one will ever see you the same again
You fear that revealing your true emotions to someone will change or harm their perception of you forever.
We can work it out
Let's work it out, yeah
We can work it out
Let's work it out, yeah
Let's work it out
Despite the struggles we face, we can still attempt to solve it, work together, and better the situation.
[Chorus]
Refrain repeated after each verse.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: J. STEVENS, S. BALBI, S. FRASER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind