I kept that faith, didn’t even finish high school. So no back-up plan. Fortunately my parents were on my side, supporting me with everything. The best I could ever wish for. Besides Queen there were The Babys who stole my heart, with my other big hero: singer John Waite, Electric Light Orchestra and The Beatles. Those were my biggest influences when I grew up. A few years later I started to play some guitar, but had to admit I was better on the keys. Joined my first ‘real’ band when I was 14, T. Vistix. A ska-reggae pop band. They were the ones to corrupt me with the eye liner. It was 1983, it was allowed, even fashionable for guys in a band. There was my excuse, super-shy as I was I followed their example. And it got a little out of hand in the future.
Back to music. One year later we broke up and I joined the rock-band Spoiled Brats which I was a fan of. At that time I started to develop the song writing. And I got the chance to sing a few songs and overcame my shyness in that. With my next melodic-rock band Line we had some modest national success. We reached the finals of the National band contest "The Great Prize Of The Netherlands" and we had a lot of airplay with our single ‘Solitary Nite’. Even appeared on the legendary Dutch pop program ‘TOPPOP’. I left Line to form a new melodic-rock group called 1 st Avenue. Did a lot of gigs in Holland from 1987 until 1989. Well on our way I grew a big frustration as just being the ‘posing’ and jumping idiot behind the rack of keyboards. But because of bronchitis, hay fever I thought I had to forget about my dream to become also a lead singer. But the hunger for that just was unbearably huge and I realized I had no choice to do all I could to overcome that handicap as much as possible.
So during the recordings of 1 st Avenue’s debut album I left the band to start a solo-career. It took 6 months of demo-ing until I signed to Polydor. In the meantime of writing and recording more songs for my solo debut I became a temporary member of Zinatra. Recorded the album ‘The Great Escape’ with them. Did some radio and TV and a toured Holland from late`89 untill early`91.
Fall 1990: The recording of ‘Robby Valentine’ with producer/engineer Erwin Musper in the famous Wisseloord studios. It took 2 years from signing the deal until the release. In the mean time I met my current manager Willem de Bois who ‘heard’ a hit single in the piano ballad ‘Over and Over Again’ which I planned for a b-side. He advised me to turn it into a Rock-Ballad. So I did make a demo and the ball started to roll. They asked my favourite American producer/engineer Humberto Gattica to do the song and he accepted. Recorded in Holland with engineer Attie Bauw (who later that year did 2 nd single Love "Takes Me higher" with me) and mixed in Los Angeles (studio Ground Control). It was released as my first single in the autumn of 1991 and became a hit in the Netherlands and several Asian countries.
Formed a great live-band to tour Holland in the first half of 1992. Bass: Arthur Polini, Guitars: Rob Winter, Drums: Hans Eijkenaar, Keyboards: John Ewbank. We also did lots of radio and TV shows. We rehearsed a lot on the harmony-vocals, since it was such a big aspect in my music. On the recordings I layered my own voice endlessly together with my friend Johan Willems. But that was of course impossible to reproduce on stage. However in those days it was against the law to play with back-up tapes for live. And I didn’t want to have a backing-vocal group on stage. That would take the whole ‘rock & roll’ band feeling down to a family affair. So each band member had to be able to sing as well. And not to mention accepting me terrorizing them. They took great pride in it and did a fantastic job. We were ace. Those were the days.
In 1993 we recorded the 2 nd album "The Magic Infinity" with Pim Koopman and John Sonneveld, again in Wisseloord. We were offered to do the German leg of the 1993 Brian May – Back To The Light tour. That was our absolute dream come true. But the problem was, we didn’t have a drummer. 4 days before the first show we found Juan van Emmerloot. He turned out to be the perfect drummer for my music, and saved the day. Also with the extra help of Johan for backing-vocals, the Valentine-band sounded better than ever and that tour became one of the highlights of my musical-life. However unfortunately soon after that we grew apart, except for new drummer Juan, and I recorded most of the following record by myself again. During that time, 1994, Polydor Japan released my first 2 albums. Invited me for a fantastic promotion tour. We still played some nice gigs in Holland and Belgium including a huge outdoor event "Mega Music Rock Experience" with headliner Aerosmith.
But one year later after finishing the 3 rd album ‘Valentine’ (1995) the band disbanded. A few tracks on that album were recorded and mixed by John Tilly and some others mixed by British engineer Matt Butler, both at Wisseloord. I was offered to come back to Japan for live-concerts. So had to form a new live band. The new line-up became: Guitars: Vinnie Kay, Bass: Bert Dijkema, Keyboards: Giovanni Pileri, Drums: Juan. After 2 months of intensive rehearsals, some try out gigs in Holland, we went to Japan. (Spring 1996) It was the best musical experience so far, performing for this fantastic Japanese audience. The band was real tight and they also did a great job on the harmony vocals.
Back home I started to write and record the 4 th album ‘United’, and returned to Osaka-Japan to write most of the songs. Most of it was mixed by Matt Butler, at the Wisseloord studios. It came out in Japan, June 1997. Went back for promotion. But times had changed drastically. My dad passed away.
End of 1997 Japan released mini x-mas album ‘Christmas In Heaven’. 1998, No Sugar Added. I had a hard time getting myself inspired enough to write a complete new album so I re-recorded a few songs from the past.
Fall 1998 I teamed up with Valensia Clarkson to start ‘V. We signed a 3 album contract with Universal Japan and the first saw the light of day in the summer of 1999. Recorded with Juan van Emmerloot and David Clarkson, Valensia’s brother, on drums. Mixed and recorded by Holger Schwedt at Wisseloord and Bullit Sound. Later that year we went to Japan for concerts. The line up: Drums: Juan, Bass: Patrick Buys, Vocals-Guitar: Valensia, Vocals-Piano-Gtr: Me.
In 2000 I made the "Believing Is Seeing" album. Recorded the basics ‘live’ in the studio, with again Juan on drums, at Fendal Soundstudio’s by Hans van Vondelen. He also mixed the album. It was released in November from that year. In 2001 I recorded my half of the 2 nd V-album. Released summer 2002.
From the Autumn of 2002 till Autumn 2003 I made the "The Most Beautiful Pain". Right after that I started a side-project named Kyssmet. For this I wanted to find a female vocalist instead of singing the lead myself. Through my friend Peter Strykes I found Filipina singer Alyss Andico. She was the perfect singer, everything I hoped for to find for the project. We recorded the Kyssmet album in 2004.
Also at that time I teamed up again with Valensia to do the 3 rd V album: NYMPHOPSYCHOSCHIZOPHONIC. End of 2004 I recorded another solo album with the working title: "Who Killed Robby Valentine ?" But just lately I realized I’m not dead yet after all. I hope to have some information very soon according the release of the albums to begin with the long awaited "The Most Beautiful Pain".
Source: http://www.robbyvalentine.com
No Turning Back
Robby Valentine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Love at first sight
I gave my heart to someone
Whose love was a lie
I took up with those
Who caused me misery
They only wanted money
Didn't care about me
That's life
But I close the evil doors
That's life
No I won't fall anymore
That's life
I finally feel the power in me
When there's no turning back
To the one I was before
And there's no turning back
'Cause I'm going for more
This time I don't reach for nowhere
'Cause He gave me the sign
On my way to the time
Where my heart is high
I did everything
For all the friends I had
But when they didn't need me
I could drop dead
My mind was a prison-cell
Of all the evil thoughts
Caused by disillusion
I ran outta love
That's life
But I'm changed forever more
That's life
No I don't crawl anymore
That's life
I finally feel the power in me
When there's no turning back
To the one I was before
And there's no turning back
'Cause I'm going for more
This time I don't reach for nowhere
'Cause He gave me the sign
On my way to the time
Where my heart is high
I feel the strength - time and again
It takes me there
To the world - to the place
Where the heart is high
I'll reach the top - I won't give up
I'll find my love
No I never know
Who I can be without a try
Maybe my demands are much too high
But can't you see for less
I'd rather die
I love you - love you
True - true - true - true
True love never dies
I am the answer myself
I searched so long - I went so wrong
I lived a lie
Just feel the power forever - ever
There's no - no turning back
No there's no - no turning back
No there's no turning back for you
For you - just for you
Robby Valentine's song "No Turning Back" describes a journey of self-discovery and self-empowerment following heartbreak and disillusionment in love and friendship. In the opening lyrics, the singer confesses to having believed in "love at first sight" and giving their heart to someone who ultimately proved to be a liar. They also admit to falling in with a crowd that caused them misery and who were only using them for money. This led to the singer feeling imprisoned by their own negative thoughts and disillusionment with love. However, the singer eventually breaks free from these toxic relationships and the negativity that had been holding them back. They assert that there is "no turning back" to their former self and they are now moving forward with more strength and power. They express a newfound determination to achieve success and find true love, which they believe will never die.
The song speaks to the universal experiences of heartbreak, disillusionment, and the search for self-empowerment. By highlighting the importance of cutting toxic people out of our lives, valuing ourselves, and searching for positive energy and love, the lyrics serve as an empowering message to listeners.
Line by Line Meaning
I believed in love
I once had faith in the concept of love
Love at first sight
I was infatuated with someone from the moment I first saw them
I gave my heart to someone
I trusted and loved someone deeply
Whose love was a lie
But I later discovered that this person's professed love was not sincere
I took up with those
After that heartbreak, I associated myself with the wrong people
Who caused me misery
And these people only brought me pain and suffering
They only wanted money
These individuals were only interested in me for my financial resources
Didn't care about me
None of these people actually cared about me as a person
That's life
Though these experiences were tough, such events are common and just a part of life
But I close the evil doors
Despite this, I am determined to shut out negativity and bad people from my life
No I won't fall anymore
I refuse to be a victim and get hurt again
I finally feel the power in me
Now, I feel strong and capable of facing anything life throws at me
When there's no turning back
I am determined to move forward from my past experiences
To the one I was before
I will not be the same person I was before, I am changing
'Cause I'm going for more
I strive to find something better
This time I don't reach for nowhere
I am confident in my choices and not just grasping for the first thing that comes along
'Cause He gave me the sign
I was given a sign to move forward in life
On my way to the time
As I make my journey in life
Where my heart is high
My heart is full of hope and optimism
I did everything
In the past, I tried so hard to please everyone around me
For all the friends I had
Even if it meant putting my own self-interests aside
But when they didn't need me
But these 'friends' were only around when I could be of use to them
I could drop dead
If I meant nothing, then I felt there was no point in living
My mind was a prison-cell
My negative, self-limiting thoughts trapped me
Of all the evil thoughts
I only had negative thoughts about myself
Caused by disillusion
This was due to my being let down by people and life in general
I ran outta love
I felt like I had nothing left to give, and was drained of all love
But I'm changed forever more
Now, I am different and transformed
No I don't crawl anymore
I am not going to be submissive or passive anymore
I finally feel the power in me
I am feeling confident and strong about myself
I feel the strength - time and again
I now feel strong and resilient despite whatever challenges come my way
It takes me there
I am taken to a better place
To the world - to the place
To a life that is richer and more fulfilling
Where the heart is high
Where optimism, love and hope are in abundance
I'll reach the top - I won't give up
I am determined to keep moving forward and achieving my goals
I'll find my love
I have faith that I will experience true love someday
No I never know
I may never fully comprehend the future
Who I can be without a try
But I know I can only grow by trying new things and persevering
Maybe my demands are much too high
Perhaps my standards are too high for most people to meet
But can't you see for less
But I'd rather hold out for someone who can truly match me
I'd rather die
Than settle for less
I love you - love you
But in the end, true love is what really matters
True - true - true - true
It is nine times affirmed
True love never dies
The love that is real couldn't possibly fade
I am the answer myself
I take responsibility for my own life and happiness
I searched so long - I went so wrong
I looked for love in all the wrong places and made a lot of mistakes along the way
I lived a lie
And for a while, I was living a life that wasn't true to who I really was
Just feel the power forever - ever
But now, I am determined to feel strong and confident forever
There's no - no turning back
I cannot go back and undo my past, but I can learn from it and continue moving forward
No there's no - no turning back
I am committed to living a genuine, fulfilling life
No there's no turning back for you
This song is meant to inspire and encourage all listeners to embrace their own journeys in life
For you - just for you
Stay true to who you are and follow your heart
Contributed by David N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.