They were formed in the late seventies. After quickly gaining enormous popularity in the Kansas City area, Shooting Star became the first American group to be signed with Virgin Records. They recorded their 1979 debut album (Shooting Star) in England with legendary producer Gus Dudgeon, best known for his work with Elton John and David Bowie. The band gained national exposure when a number of songs garnered moderate air-play on Album-oriented rock radio stations in the US.
Their initial line-up included Van McLain on guitar and vocals, Charles Waltz on violin, keyboards and vocals, Bill Guffey on keyboards, Gary West on guitar and vocals, Ron Verlin on bass, and Steve Thomas on drums.
Some releases include:
Burning - 1983
It's Not Over - 1991
Into The Night - 2015
Last Chance
Shooting Star Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All the people watched with wonder
In their tattered clothes
Gathered 'round and raised their eyes up from the dirt
And the stranger said to them
I have been upon the mountain
I have witnessed forces, like cannons
Stand up on your feet
'Cause your life is short as hell
You could be dead tomorrow
Today may be your
Last chance to believe in yourself
Your last chance to yell
Your last chance to be good to yourself
Your last chance to drink from life's well
In the crowd a voice was heard
Should we get them before they get you
Should we strike the first blow
He said no, no, no, you don't understand
The enemy is in your heart
Self-respect robbed by self-pity
Look across the country
All the people with their dreams dead in their hearts
Stand up your feet
'Cause your life is short as hell
You could be dead tomorrow
Today may be your
Last chance to believe in yourself
Your last chance to yell
Your last chance to be good to yourself
Your last chance to drink from life's well
So drink from the well
Oh yeah
It could be your
Last chance to believe in yourself
Your last chance to yell
Your last chance to be good to yourself
Your last chance to drink from life's well
Drink from the well
Oh yeah
Yeah
Drink from the well
The song "Last Chance" by Shooting Star is a powerful anthem urging listeners to take control of their lives and believe in themselves. The lyrics describe a stranger who appears in a town full of people with dead dreams and broken spirits. The stranger has witnessed great forces that could destroy the people, but instead he implores them to stand up and take charge of their lives. He tells them their life is short and they could be dead tomorrow, but today is their last chance to believe in themselves, yell, be good to themselves, and drink from life's well.
The song is a call to action for anyone who feels lost, hopeless, or overwhelmed. It reminds listeners that they have the power to change their circumstances and make their dreams a reality. The stranger's message is clear: don't let self-pity rob you of your self-respect, and don't let the enemy in your heart defeat you. Instead, take a stand and drink deeply from the well of life.
Overall, "Last Chance" is an inspiring and uplifting song that encourages listeners to embrace their potential and seize the day. It encourages listeners to believe in themselves, stand up for what they believe in, and live life to the fullest.
Line by Line Meaning
When the stranger came to town
The arrival of an unknown person caused people to become curious.
All the people watched with wonder
The crowd was in awe of the stranger's mysterious arrival.
In their tattered clothes
The people were wearing worn out garments.
Gathered 'round and raised their eyes up from the dirt
The crowd stopped what they were doing to observe the stranger, lifting their gazes from the ground.
And the stranger said to them
The newcomer addressed the crowd.
I have been upon the mountain
The stranger boasted of their experience on a high peak.
I have witnessed forces, like cannons
The person had seen powerful things similar to explosive weapons.
That could ram you to the ground
These forces could knock someone down and render them helpless.
Stand up on your feet
Stop wallowing in self-pity and take a stance.
'Cause your life is short as hell
Time goes by quickly and must not be taken for granted.
You could be dead tomorrow
Death is unpredictable and can happen at any moment.
Today may be your
This present moment is an opportunity.
Last chance to believe in yourself
This can be the final opportunity to have confidence in yourself.
Your last chance to yell
A person's final opportunity to outcry or express themselves.
Your last chance to be good to yourself
This is a person's last opportunity to treat themselves kindly.
Your last chance to drink from life's well
This is the final opportunity to enjoy the pleasures of life.
In the crowd a voice was heard
Someone in the audience spoke up.
Should we get them before they get you
Should we attack first before we are attacked?
Should we strike the first blow
Should we initiate the attack?
He said no, no, no, you don't understand
The stranger rejected the idea and tried to explain.
The enemy is in your heart
The true adversary is internal negative thoughts and emotions.
Self-respect robbed by self-pity
Feeling sorry for oneself takes away self-esteem which is taken away by oneself.
Look across the country
Take a look at all around the nation.
All the people with their dreams dead in their hearts
Many individuals have given up on their aspirations and have become cynical.
So drink from the well
Therefore, enjoy life's experiences while you still can.
Oh yeah
Expressing excitement and agreement.
It could be your
This moment has the potential to be the final opportunity to do something.
Drink from the well
Savor your experiences in life.
Oh yeah
Expressing excitement and agreement.
Yeah
Expressing affirmation and approval.
Contributed by Aiden F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@DONGOE
This song, in my opinion, is one of the most under-rated rock songs ever.ο»Ώ
@wlwdm40
What a song!!Β does anybody have any other live show from them? audio or dvd? any trades?
@m7xr559
That's an understatement! :D:D i loved this song when it first came out and it is only better and MORE relevant with time.
@TEXAS5404
I dont have a recording but I've seen them live in concert in near Carbondale Illinois 1988-1989 with Steppenwolf and Rainbow best concert of my life hands down , I will never forget it.. I've seen David Lee Roth with Steve Vai , Cinderella , Charlie Daniels , Hank , Williams Jr, REO Speedwagon , Cinderella , Idk they were the best my opinion ..
@svenfigueroa312
Like bohemian rhapsody
@1970borntorun
This and "Who's Behind the Door" by ZEBRA :)
@josephtabar492
I have always loved this song for both it's lyrics and the excellent interplay between these Musicians. I think it will always stand the test of time. Truly it's ear candy!
@raythackston1960
Also remember the garbage out at the time...this blew it all away. Just trivial dribble for lyrics and stale lifeless music.
@robertrohde8085
Great band. Great music. How can millions of people not get this?
@Tammy-jl2io
Absolutely!! ALL THE INSTRUMENTS.. Just FANTASTIC!