The band first reached substantial commercial success with its third studio album Fight for the Rock (1986), which peaked at number 158 on the Billboard 200. Its next four albums—Hall of the Mountain King (1987), Gutter Ballet (1989), Streets: A Rock Opera (1991) and Edge of Thorns (1993)—were also successful but more critically acclaimed than Fight for the Rock. On October 17, 1993, six months after the release of Edge of Thorns, guitarist Criss Oliva was killed in a car accident. Following his death, Jon (along with producer Paul O'Neill) decided to continue Savatage in memory of his brother. The band released four more studio albums, and went through several line-up changes before going on an extended hiatus in 2002. During the years—partly even before the hiatus—members founded various new bands such as Jon Oliva's Pain, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Circle II Circle and Doctor Butcher. On August 2, 2014, Savatage announced that they were reuniting for the 2015 Wacken Open Air; despite having discussed the possibility of more shows and new music, the band went on hiatus once again. Although Savatage technically remains inactive, half of the members of the band claimed in interviews during throughout 2020 and 2021 that they have been working on new material for a possible follow-up to Poets and Madmen (2001).
Studio albums
Sirens (1983)
Power of the Night (1985)
Fight for the Rock (1986)
Hall of the Mountain King (1987)
Gutter Ballet (1989)
Streets: A Rock Opera (1991)
Edge of Thorns (1993)
Handful of Rain (1994)
Dead Winter Dead (1995)
The Wake of Magellan (1997)
Poets and Madmen (2001)
Hard for Love
Savatage Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know you can be found
And are you looking for somebody new
I know you get around
And you'll like what you're gonna feel
Senses burning luscious meal
I
Part of the things you do
To me
I am hard for your love tonight
I'm hard for your lovin' I
I am hard for your love tonight
Hard for your lovin' I'm
I am hard for you love tonight
Are you lookin' for action
Give me the right reaction
I like when we move faster
That's why I'm gonna blast ya
You're hot like a fire's hot
Here I come X marks the spot
I
I've been looking for you
Part of the things you do
To me
I am hard for your love tonight
I'm hard for your lovin' I
I am hard for your love tonight
Hard for your lovin' I'm
I am hard for you love tonight
If you're ready for action
Show me your main attraction
I can't wait any longer
Out of control
I want you closer
I
I've been looking for you
Hard
I've been wanting you to
Hard
Gotta run to you
Part of the things you do
To me
I am hard for your love tonight
I'm hard for your lovin' I
I am hard for your love tonight
You're feeling alright
Hard for your lovin' I'm
I am hard for you love tonight
Hard for your lovin' I'm
I am hard for you love tonight
Hard for your lovin' I'm
I am hard for you love tonight
Hard for love
The lyrics to Savatage's song "Hard for Love" seem to be about someone who is searching for someone else who doesn't seem to be easy to find. The opening lines suggest that the writer has been looking for the subject of the song and believes that they could be found. The second half of the verse suggests that perhaps this person is not exactly trustworthy or faithful, "And are you looking for somebody new/ I know you get around." Despite this, the writer seems drawn to them, suggesting that they "like what [they're] gonna feel" and that they find them to be a "luscious meal."
The chorus of the song repeats the message that the writer is "hard for" the object of their affection. It's clear that they want them and that they are willing to pursue them despite any difficulties they might face. The second verse of the song takes on a more aggressive tone, with the writer asking if the person is "lookin' for action" and promising to "blast" them. They're eager to move quickly and indicate that they find this person to be incredibly attractive, saying that they're "hot like a fire's hot."
Overall, the song is a straightforward expression of desire and attraction. The writer is clearly pursuing someone who might be difficult to pin down, but they're not deterred by this. Instead, they're drawn in by the person's perceived sexuality and are willing to go to great lengths to get what they want.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been looking all over for you
The singer has been searching for the person they are singing to.
I know you can be found
The singer is confident that they will find the person they are looking for.
And are you looking for somebody new
The singer questions whether the person they are seeking is interested in finding a new romantic partner.
I know you get around
The singer is aware that the person they are seeking is promiscuous.
And you'll like what you're gonna feel
The singer believes that the person they are seeking will enjoy the physical pleasure that comes with intimacy.
Senses burning luscious meal
The singer suggests they will fulfill the desires of the person they seek.
If you're ready for action
The singer challenges the person they seek to be prepared for what is about to happen.
Give me the right reaction
The singer demands a specific response from the person they are seeking.
I like when we move faster
The singer enjoys an intense and quick pace while being intimate with the person they seek.
That's why I'm gonna blast ya
The singer promises to do something explosive or unexpected.
You're hot like a fire's hot
The singer compliments the person they seek, saying they are attractive like fire.
Here I come X marks the spot
The singer is coming for the person they seek, and they have a specific target in mind.
If you're ready for action
The singer repeats their challenge to the person they seek.
Show me your main attraction
The singer requests that the person they are pursuing reveal what they believe is their most alluring feature.
I can't wait any longer
The singer expresses their impatience for what they desire from the person they seek.
Out of control
The singer feels like they can no longer contain their desires.
I want you closer
The singer wants to be physically close to the person they desire.
You're feeling alright
The singer wants to confirm that the person they seek is comfortable with what is happening.
Hard for love
The singer is struggling with their intense desire for the person they seek.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CHRISTOPHER M OLIVA, JOHN N OLIVA, KEITH COLLINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mattster 1
Love how Criss hits that harmonic at the end of his solo...…..see , those are the little things folks...
William Hamilton
Absolutely.
Loke
What an incredible song! Glad to have found this. Love the rhythm and raw lyrics. It's so invigorating and makes you feel like a young strapping lad. Savatage are such an underrated band.
T Collier
Criss just kept evolving with each Savatage record! To me, he was the greatest guitarist ever! A musical genius, and sorely missed
Micah Pritchett
One of the most badass guitar players I've ever heard. I got to see them during the Fight for The Rock tour
Vinay Mulukutla
You can have one of the heaviest and most flashiest albums ever and still come out with a very catchy and addictive song that maintains a firm foot on the metal.
Peter Berglund
I Love Savatage! Real metal !!!!😊
OG BlazingThrasher
One of the greatest bands ever! Also one if biggest underrated bands! Same with Criss Olivia! Great guitarist! May he rest in peace!
Pure GM
Whoa! What a heavy groove man I love it
G Leasak
Criss was the best!Rip