In the course of his career Bators was involved with a variety of bands beyond those for which he was best known. These short-term bands included Hormones, with Dennis Comeau and Andre Siva, Frankenstein, The Wanderers and The Whores of Babylon (with Dee Dee Ramone and Johnny Thunders). He also recorded as a solo artist with Bomp! Records.
It was as the lead singer and driving force of the Cleveland, Ohio based Dead Boys, however, that Bators helped pioneer the punk rock sound, look and attitude. The band quickly became a popular staple at CBGB's, the music club in New York City's East Village. The Dead Boys were featured in the independent punk rock film Punking Out (1978), Live at CBGB's (1977) and Crash 'n' Burn (1977).
Following the demise of the Dead Boys in 1979, Bators began a tumultuous relationship with Bomp! Records and its president, Greg Shaw. According to Shaw: "[W]hat he craved most was to escape the fetters of his Dead Boy image and win respect as a singer of contemporary pop rock. . . . in other words, he wanted to be 'the thinking punk's Eric Carmen.'"[1] To this end, and usually with first-wave punk rock veterans in tow, he recorded several singles, many of which were unreleased, and an LP, Disconnected, which was released in 1980. A retrospective album released in 1994, L.A. L.A. documented Bators' efforts as a pop-punk singer.
After England's Sham 69 disbanded, Bators, now located in London, formed the Wanderers with Dave Tregunna, the Sham 69 ex-bass-player. The band came up with a concept album, called Only Lovers Left Alive (released in May 1981), along with two singles.
Bators formed The Lords of the New Church later in 1981 with Brian James of The Damned and Dave Tregunna of Sham 69. (Bators and Tregunna had also been in the Wanderers together). The Lords became notorious for their live shows. A devotee of Iggy Pop, Bators had developed a fearless reputation in his Dead Boys days and continued such antics with The Lords, the most famous being the time he reportedly hanged himself during a show. Bator's stunt went awry and he was pronounced clinically dead for several minutes. Nonetheless, Bator survived and The Lords recorded two more successful albums.
Later, the punk vocalist gained additional exposure through more mainstream film. In 1981, Bators co-starred in the satirical John Waters film, Polyester. Seven years later, Bators made a memorable cameo appearance as "Dick Slammer", lead singer of "The Blender Children", in the offbeat comedy, Tapeheads, starring John Cusack and Tim Robbins.
In December 1985 Bators flew to New York with his best friend Michael Monroe to work Artists United Against Apartheid music video.
The Lords of the New Church broke up in 1989, when Bators injured his back and guitarist Brian James secretly began advertising for a replacement singer.
In 1990, Bators was struck by a taxi while crossing a street in Paris. He was taken to a hospital but reportedly left before seeing a doctor because he had already been waiting several hours, was told to keep waiting, and he did not feel well and wanted to go home. Reports indicate that he died in his sleep as the result of a concussion. Unsubstantiated reports claim that Bators, a fan of rock legend Jim Morrison, had earlier requested that his ashes be spread over Morrison's Paris grave and that his girlfriend complied.
The Last Year
Stiv Bators Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
None of us knows what to do
Take me and divide by two
Look at me I look at you
You ask me why I tell you I don't know
Ask me why I'm, feeling so so
Let's all go swingin' a go-go
All I want is you tonight
Violins and sax for two
Smile when they take you goodbye
The lyrics to Stiv Bators's song, The Last Year, are open to interpretation, yet most listeners know that it's about overwhelming confusion and uncertainty. The first line, "I'm afraid it's all confused," sets the tone for the song, indicating that something is not quite right. The second line cements the feeling of confusion, stating that "None of us knows what to do." This particular line might also suggest that this sentiment extends beyond the singer and the person being addressed.
"Take me and divide by two" might mean that the singer feels as though they are only half of who they are or that the situation is splitting them in two. "Look at me, I look at you" could signify that no one knows what they want or what they are supposed to do. The chorus almost seems to be suggesting that the best thing to do is to forget about the confusion and the worry and just enjoy the time they have left together.
Overall, The Last Year is a sad song about confusion and uncertainty. The lyrics are poignant and reflective of a moment in time that feels unmanageable. It's a reminder that sometimes, despite our best efforts, life and love can be fleeting.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm afraid it's all confused
I am feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about the current situation.
None of us knows what to do
Everyone is indecisive and unsure about what actions to take moving forward.
Take me and divide by two
Let's split the responsibility and burdens of the situation between us equally.
Look at me I look at you
We need to acknowledge and communicate with each other to find a solution.
You ask me why I tell you I don't know
I do not have a clear answer to your question or a solution to the problem at hand.
Ask me why I'm, feeling so so
You are curious about my emotional state, which is one of uncertainty and unease.
Let's all go swingin' a go-go
Let's distract ourselves from the situation and have some fun, perhaps by going dancing.
Tear it up don't be shy
Let's enjoy ourselves without holding back or being reserved.
All I want is you tonight
In this moment, all I desire is to be with you.
Violins and sax for two
Let's enjoy a romantic evening with the accompaniment of music from these instruments.
Smile when they take you goodbye
Even though we may have to part ways at the end of the night, let's leave on a positive note and with a smile.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: SECICH, FRANK JOSEPH, J STEPHEN BATOR JR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind