Scandal was formed in New York City in 1981 by guitarist Zack Smith. The other initial members included: bassist Ivan Elias (1950–1995), guitarist Keith Mack, keyboardist Benjy King, (1953-2012) drummer Frankie LaRocka (1954-2005) (later replaced by Thommy Price), and singer Patty Smyth. Bon Jovi lead singer Jon Bon Jovi also briefly played guitar for the band in 1983.
The band had much success early on but due to struggles within the group and their record company, it slowly dissolved—losing member after member. By the time "The Warrior" tour hit the road in 1984, all that remained of the original lineup were Smyth and Mack. Scandal broke up shortly after the tour ended. The group (minus Ivan Elias, who died of cancer in June 1995; he was replaced by Kasim Sulton) reunited in 2004 for VH1's Bands Reunited show and did a string of concerts on the United States East Coast culminating in a show at Irving Plaza in their home city (New York) on February 9, 2005. During the summer of 2006, the band (excluding Price and Sulton) reunited again for VH1's "We Are the '80s" tour, playing a string of large - mainly outdoor - venues and earning critical acclaim. During the summer and fall of 2007, they toured again (this time without Zack Smith).
In July 2008, Billboard reported the upcoming release of new music by Patty Smyth and Scandal (featuring original members Keith Mack and Benjy King). At a performance in Dewey Beach, Delaware on August 3, 2008, Smyth indicated Scandal would be releasing a new five song EP in the near future. Scandal also performed one of their new songs, "Trust in Me". Other new titles include "Make It Hard" and "End of the Girl". Patty Smyth & Scandal debuted their first single as a band ("Hard for You to Love Me", also referred to as "Make It Hard") in over 24 years on January 17, 2009 in Ridgefield, Connecticut to a standing ovation. Smyth stated the song will be available to purchase digitally in February 2009, with the new EP to follow shortly. However, the single has been indefinitely delayed as the EP will be expanded to a full-length album, according to Smyth's blog in May 2009.[6] As of December 2011, the only new music released was "Silent Night", their cover of the Christmas classic, which was featured in the NCIS Season 9 Christmas episode, "Newborn King" and subsequently available for purchase on the band's official website.
Original drummer Frankie LaRocka died in 2005 after undergoing surgery. Original keyboardist Benjy King died on September 20, 2012, from injuries sustained in an accident.
Albums
Scandal (EP) (1982) - No. 39 U.S. (RIAA: Gold)
Warrior (1984) - No. 17 U.S. (RIAA: Platinum)
Only The Young
Scandal Feat. Patty Smyth Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You can hear the thunder of their cry
Ahead of their time
They wonder why
In the shadows of a golden age
A generation waits for dawn
Brave carry on
Only the young can say
They're free to fly away
Sharing the same desires
Burnin like wildfire
They're seein' through the promises
And all the lies they dare to tell
Is it heaven or hell?
They know very well
Only the young can say
They're free to fly away
Sharing the same desires
Burnin like wildfire
Only the young can say
They're free to fly away
Sharing the same desires
Burnin like wildfire
Only the young can say
Only the young can say
Only the young can say
Only the young can say
Only the young can say
The lyrics of "Only the Young" by Scandal Feat. Patty Smyth speaks to the experiences and hopes of the younger generation. The song portrays the angst and restlessness that may come with being young and passionate, where they often feel misunderstood by the older generation. The opening lines of the song refer to the noise and uproar of young people, their voices echoing through the city streets. The song then goes on to highlight the perpetual struggle of each generation to find their place in the world. The younger generation waiting in the shadows of a golden age, waiting for their dawn, and they are brave and strong enough to carry on the torch of their predecessors.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the unquenchable spirit of the young, who have the freedom to dream and pursue their passions. They share the same desires and are "burning like wildfire". The song seems to be a rallying cry for the younger generation, reminding them that they are the only ones who can "fly away" and make something of themselves, even though they may feel like they are trapped in the cycles of life that have been woven by the older generation. As the song suggests, only the young have the courage and energy to pursue their dreams with such fervor and intensity.
Line by Line Meaning
Another night in any town
This is just another typical night in any city or place, with nothing special happening.
You can hear the thunder of their cry
The voices of the young people protesting or crying out can be heard, showing their frustration or eagerness to make a change.
Ahead of their time
These young people are advanced or progressive beyond their years, with ideas that are ahead of what society accepts or practices.
They wonder why
These young people are asking questions about the state of the world and their future, curious as to why things are the way they are.
In the shadows of a golden age
These young people are living in the shadow of the previous generation's success or prosperity, longing for their own chance to succeed in their own way.
A generation waits for dawn
These young people are eagerly waiting for their own opportunity to make a change, for a new day to come for them to shine and be noticed.
Brave carry on
These young people are courageous and determined to continue on despite any obstacles they may face in their mission for change.
Bold and the strong
These young people are brave and resilient; they stand up for what they believe in and don't easily back down.
Only the young can say They're free to fly away Sharing the same desires Burnin like wildfire
Only these young people can truly feel free to pursue their passions without restraint, driven by their passions that are fierce and intense.
They're seein' through the promises
These young people are capable of seeing past empty promises and rhetoric, identifying when people are not being truthful or sincere.
And all the lies they dare to tell
These young people are aware of the lies people tell and how those lies can influence others, but refuse to be swayed by them.
Is it heaven or hell?
These young people are questioning the world around them, wondering whether it is a place of goodness or one of darkness.
They know very well
These young people are aware of the state of the world and how it affects them, and they also know their own role in making a difference.
Only the young can say
These feelings and perspectives belong solely to the youth, as they are the ones capable of experiencing them in this way.
Contributed by Caroline O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.