The band's name is a reference to the payola scandal in the United States in the early 1960s. The group was based in Vancouver, British Columbia, and recorded mostly at Vancouver's Little Mountain Sound Studios. Through several lineup changes and name changes (the band also played as The Payola$, Paul Hyde and the Payolas and Rock and Hyde), the Payolas core members remained Paul Hyde and Bob Rock, who together wrote virtually all of the band's songs. As well, Rock engineered and mixed virtually every Payolas recording.
Although in the 1980s the Payolas always seemed poised for a big international breakthrough, the band never quite broke out despite their artistic growth and popular success in Canada. They were, however, one of the most prominent and successful platinum-selling Canadian bands of the early 1980s.
Soldier
Payola$ Lyrics
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Machine gun rattle, rocket fire
Just to see your smiling face again
Huddled in the bombed-out ground,
Deafened by the thunder sound
Just to see your smiling face again
I'll be your friend till the morning light
Your soldier
Well I'll fight by you, I'll die for you, tonight
Blinded by the searchlight glare,
Sirens screaming, cannon blare
Just to see your smiling face again
Swam through miles of dirt and mud,
Watched the rivers turn to blood,
Just to see your smiling face again
I'll be your soldier
I'll be your friend till the morning light
Your soldier
Well I'll fight by you, I'll die for you,
Your solider
Well, I'll be your friend till the morning light
Your soldier
Well I'll fight by you, I'll die for you, tonight.
Crawled through fields of rusted wire,
Machine gun rattle, rocket fire
Just to see your smiling face again
Huddled in the bombed-out ground,
Deafened by the thunder sound
Just to see your smiling face again
I'll be your soldier
I'll be your friend till the morning light
Be your soldier
Well I'll fight by you, I'll die for you,
Be your solider
Well, I'll keep you safe till the morning light
Be your solider
Well, I'll be your friend till the morning light
Be your soldier
Well I'll fight by you, I'll die for you, tonight.
The lyrics to Payola$'s song Soldier paint a picture of a soldier going through intense and dangerous situations just to see the smiling face of someone they care about. The imagery of crawling through fields of rusted wire, being deafened by the sound of thunder and sirens, and swimming through miles of dirt and mud really emphasizes the lengths that this soldier is willing to go for their loved one. The repetition of the chorus "I'll be your soldier, I'll be your friend till the morning light" really drives home the message that this soldier will do anything for their companion, even if it means putting their own life on the line.
The song's message of sacrifice and devotion resonates with many people, especially those who have loved ones in the military or who have gone through difficult times for the ones they care about. The lyrics also touch on the toll that war takes on soldiers and their mental wellbeing, with lines about being blinded by searchlight glare and watching rivers turn to blood. The song could be interpreted as a reminder to respect and honor those who fight for our country, as well as a tribute to the loved ones who support and stand by them.
Line by Line Meaning
Crawled through fields of rusted wire, Machine gun rattle, rocket fire
I went through a lot of dangerous obstacles like crawling through rusty wires, hearing the fierce sound of machine guns and rockets just to see your face again.
Just to see your smiling face again
All that sacrifice was worth it to see you smile once more.
Huddled in the bombed-out ground, Deafened by the thunder sound
I was scared for my life, hiding in the middle of explosions, where the sound was so strong that I could not hear anything else but that.
I'll be your soldier
I am ready to devote myself to you, to protect you, and fight alongside you.
I'll be your friend till the morning light
I'll always be there, through the good and the bad, through the night and when morning comes.
Your soldier
I belong to you, and whatever it is that is needed, whatever bad things come your way or whatever good things you want me to share while staying by your side, I am ready for you.
Well I'll fight by you, I'll die for you, tonight
I am ready to be next to you, to fight any battle with you, even if it means that I might lose my life for it. And all of this can happen tonight if need be.
Blinded by the searchlight glare, Sirens screaming, cannon blare
The situation was so intense, that I couldn't even see properly or hear properly due to the searchlight glare, sirens ringing and cannons firing.
Swam through miles of dirt and mud, Watched the rivers turn to blood
I went through a lot of hardships and sadness, like swimming through miles of dirt and mud, and watching the rivers turn into red with blood, just to be with you again.
Be your solider
I want to be there for you and protect you as much as I can, no matter what.
Well, I'll keep you safe till the morning light
My main mission and purpose here is to keep you safe throughout the day and night until the sun rises.
Contributed by Sebastian K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@alukuhito
I remember being in Grade 7 and being happy whenever this song came on the radio. It's funny how the Payola$ were so big for a while, then just disappeared pretty much forever.
@wawawis
a very underrated song. I'm glad to own their cd "Between a Rock and Hyde Place"
@ELEcomments
i just got into their earlier albums i like them much more tbh
@Bonkrr
I'm even gladder to have all of their original albums on vinyl. :)
@ripsawrodge67
To those who served and gave the ultimate sacrifice.
@jhamptonjr
Rare stuff! Most have never heard of these guys. Thanks! Peace!
@WilliamThompsongwy
I was just singing this song...so I looked it up and here I am. Great song!
@ripsawrodge67
Great memories of my old unit 735. This was always on the jukebox:)
@tlowee
Now that takes me back. Under a table at a club in Germany to be precise. 🍻
@TYONEification
FOR ALL THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED AND FOR THOSE WHO ARE ABOUT TOO THIS SONS IS ABOUT THEM