Formed in New Jersey by vocalist Sandi Saraya and keyboard player Gregg Munier and originally travelled under the title Alsace Lorraine. They changed the name to Saraya and travelled to Los Angeles in an attempt to make it big. However the stint in L.A. was short-lived, and the band returned home broke and disillusioned. The group then met Sandy Lizner, who would become their mentor and collaborator, introducing them to management and the record company executive that would later sign them. Saraya and Munier wrote material for the debut album over the next year, realizing in this time that there had to be a change in the band. The final piece of the puzzle was when Tony Rey Bruno (guitar, ex-Danger Danger), Gary Taylor (bass) and Chuck Bonfante (drums) auditioned and rounded out the new Saraya line-up. The debut album had minor hits with "Love Has Taken It's Toll" and "Back To The Bullet".
Internal disputes and dissatisfaction with musical direction led to the departure of Munier and Taylor in 1990. Bassist Barry Dunaway (Yngwie Malmsteen and Joe Lynn Turner) was recruited for the less successful sophomore effort. The album was basically recorded without a keyboard player, as John Riggio was brought in for the accompanying tour. A third album was rumored to be recorded, but never released, and the band quickly disappeared.
NEW WORLD
Saraya Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Waiting for somebody to throw you a bone?
A song for the beggar man, a prayer for the soul
Mmm-mmm-mmm...
I threw down a dollar to the bottom of the well
Everybody's wishes just shot down to hell
So, show me, tell me
Give me, sing it to me
Save me some hope for a new world
Save me some hope for a new world
Peace is a kingdom that's been buried in the sand
Waiting for somebody to dig it up again
We just need to find it and build it up again
So, show me, tell me
Give me, sing it to me
Save me some hope for a new world
Oh, give me some hope for a new world
Sing it to me
Save me some hope for a new world
The lyrics of Saraya's song New World speak to the frustration of being stuck in a situation where people in power seem to have no interest in helping those who are struggling. The first verse asks a rhetorical question - what do you do when you feel like you're at the mercy of those who are comfortable in their positions? The next line suggests that the answer is to turn to art and spirituality for solace. Saraya sings that the world needs a song for the beggar man and a prayer for the soul, implying that these are the things that can provide hope where it seems there is none.
The second verse describes an attempt to make a wish in the form of dropping a dollar into a well, only to have that hope dashed when nothing happens. The line "no sign of magic as far as I can tell" suggests that the singer is losing faith in the idea that there is anything out there that can make a difference. However, the chorus is a plea to be shown something that will bring hope for a better future. Saraya sings that we need to find peace and build it up again, but that cannot be done without something to believe in.
Overall, the message of the song is that it's easy to become disillusioned when the world seems to be against you, but there is still reason to hope if you're willing to look for it. The final line, "save me some hope for a new world," is a plea for something to hold onto.
Line by Line Meaning
What do you do when people sit upon their thrones
When those in power ignore the struggles of the common people, what can be done?
Waiting for somebody to throw you a bone?
When the powerful refuse to help the powerless, why do the powerless keep hoping for aid?
A song for the beggar man, a prayer for the soul
In the face of such despair, all there is to offer are words of comfort and hope
I threw down a dollar to the bottom of the well
Even when we try to take matters into our own hands, it can feel useless
Everybody's wishes just shot down to hell
The world can be cruel and unfeeling; our dreams may never come true
No sign of magic as far as I can tell
There is no easy solution or quick fix; reality requires hard work and perseverance
So, show me, tell me
Saraya is calling out for inspiration and guidance, unsure of how to proceed
Give me, sing it to me
She longs for someone to provide a glimmer of hope, perhaps even a reason to keep going
Save me some hope for a new world
She desires a different future, one where there is healing and progress
Peace is a kingdom that's been buried in the sand
After centuries of violence and bloodshed, the idea of lasting peace seems almost impossible
Waiting for somebody to dig it up again
But despite the odds, people are still waiting for change, still hoping for a better tomorrow
We just need to find it and build it up again
Perhaps the path forward is to work together, to rebuild what has been lost, to create a new world from the ashes of the old
Oh, give me some hope for a new world
For Saraya, that hope is a necessity, a lifeline to grasp onto in what can be a very dark world
Sing it to me
Ultimately, she calls upon others to join her in the quest for hope and a brighter future
Save me some hope for a new world
A plea for anyone with a glimmer of positivity to share it, to help illuminate the path forward
Contributed by Natalie E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Deep Into the Rabbit Hole
on Queen of Sheba
Are you looking for a female empowerment song done right and with exotic musical overtones, along with a gripping atmosphere and an epic feel that grabs you by the throat the second the initial bassline is held? Then this is the perfect song for you! An amazing opener to one of the most sorely overlooked, criminally underrated and far less talked about than it should albums from the early 90s. The spiritual and sort of subtle lyrics which convey the intended message are also some of the best Sandi ever penned during her all too short tenure. Her vocals in this track are also as superb as they ever got. Easily one of my top 5 Saraya songs and truly a phenomenal artistic statement in the topic of girl power which deserves to be listened by far more people. Truly top-tier stuff, right here.
Deep Into the Rabbit Hole
on Drop the Bomb
Talk about a monumentally fantastic way to close out an album! If there's a song where their collective talent as a band truly shines, it's in here. From the S-tier opening bassline to some of Chuck Bonfante's and Tony Bruno's finest instrumental performances ever recorded at the end, to the tense and ominous atmosphere conveyed by the keyboards and vocals as well as its personal and relatable lyrics, this tune is by far one of Saraya's crowning achievements and one of my personal favorites of theirs full stop.
Deep Into the Rabbit Hole
on Back to the Bullet
Man, I may see Saraya as one of the most criminally underrated bands of their era, but folks, this has got to be by far their weakest song. It just represents them poorly and this tune's lyrics and even sound have aged as well as milk. The fact this was the one song of theirs that charted the highest back then is quite the brown stain in their lore. Trust me, even on this album, many other songs of theirs eat this tune easily for lunch.
Deep Into the Rabbit Hole
on Love Has Taken Its Toll
Out of their popular singles, this is easily the best out of the bunch. On top of showcasing their musical chops in the intros and outros, the main riff is pretty cool, if a tad clichรฉ, and Sandi Saraya's vocals are in fine form here. Too bad the combination of a massively crowded music scene in 1989 with the imminent downfall of the hair metal scene led to this becoming a minor hit at best. Still a cool song I listen to occasionally.
Deep Into the Rabbit Hole
on St. Christopher's Medal
Easily one of the greatest melodic rock ballads of its era. Also one of the highlights of this album. Convincing melodies, heartfelt lyrics that are as far from cliche as you get, and one of the most compelling vocal performances you could ever get from this type of song. One of my most listened songs from this record for this reason.