In the early '70s, Television began as the Neon Boys, a group featuring guitarist/vocalist Tom Verlaine, drummer Billy Ficca, and bassist Richard Hell. At the end of 1973 in New York City, New York, the group reunited under the name Television, adding rhythm guitarist Richard Lloyd. The following year, the band made its live debut at New York's Townhouse theater and began to build up an underground following. Soon, their fan base was large enough that Verlaine was able to persuade CBGB to begin featuring live bands on a regular basis; the club would become an important venue for punk and new wave bands. Television was the first punk/new wave bands to play at CBGB. That year, Verlaine played guitar on Patti Smith's first single, "Hey Joe"/"Piss Factory," as well as wrote a book of poetry with the singer.
Television recorded a demo tape for Island Records with Brian Eno in 1975, yet the label decided not to sign the band. Hell left the band after the recording of the demo tape, forming the Heartbreakers with former New York Dolls guitarist Johnny Thunders; the following year, he began a solo career supported by the Voidoids, releasing a debut album, Blank Generation, in 1977. Hell was replaced by ex-Blondie bassist Fred Smith and Television recorded "Little Johnny Jewel," releasing it on their own Ork record label. "Little Johnny Jewel" became an underground hit, attracting the attention of major record labels. In 1976, the band released a British EP on Stiff Records, which expanded their reputation. They signed with Elektra Records and began recording their debut album.
Marquee Moon, the group's first album, was released in early 1977 to great critical acclaim, yet it failed to attract a wide audience in America; in the U.K., it reached number 28 on the charts, launching the Top 40 single "Prove It." Television supported Blondie on the group's 1977 tour, but the shows didn't increase the group's following significantly.
Television released their second album, Adventure, in the spring of 1978. While its American sales were better than those of Marquee Moon, the record didn't make the charts; in Britain, it became a Top Ten hit. Months later, the group suddenly broke up, largely due to tensions between the two guitarists. Smith rejoined Blondie, while Verlaine and Lloyd both pursued solo careers; Lloyd also played on John Doe's first solo album, as well as joined Matthew Sweet's supporting band with the 1991 album Girlfriend.
Nearly 14 years after their breakup, Television re-formed in late 1991, recording a new, self titled album for Capitol Records. The reunited band began its comeback with a performance at England's Glastonbury summer festival in 1992, releasing Television a couple months later. The album received good reviews, as did the tour that followed, yet the reunion was short-lived — the group disbanded again in early 1993. In 2001, Television again reunited for a handful of shows in the U.K., as well as an appearance at the Noise Pop Festival in Chicago.
1880 Or So
Television Lyrics
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I don't belong to misery
Though she speaks fine with subtle art
Such misery clothes the rose of my heart.
Now what I see in the long twilight
A star falls down on a hill so white
On a hill so white.
A face that glows in a golden hue
No-one in this world knows what they do
I take my oath and I make my vow
For the tender things are upon me now.
In the fragrance sweet of the evening air
I could leave this world quite without a care.
O rose of my heart, the vision dims
the time is brief, now the shadow swims,
A powerful a real fine hat
Cause that's for you and that's where that's at.
Now what I see in the long twilight
A star falls down on a hill so white.
O rose of my heart
O rose of my heart
O rose of my heart.
The song "1880 Or So" by the band Television is a beautiful and melancholic love song that is filled with poetic lyrics that are ripe for interpretation. The song is written about a rose, which is a symbol of love, and the singer's affection for his lover. The opening lines of the song say, "O rose of my heart, can't you see, I don't belong to misery, Though she speaks fine with subtle art. Such misery clothes the rose of my heart." This suggests that despite the difficult nature of the singer's past relationships or personal struggles, he is now in love and no longer belongs to the state of misery that he was once associated with.
The middle section of the song describes a beautiful moment when the singer sees a shooting star falling on a white hill, and a face "that glows in a golden hue." This moment is followed by a vow to cherish the delicate moments of life and love, "For the tender things are upon me now." The lyrics of the chorus speak to the ephemeral nature of this love, and how the singer yearns to hold onto it for as long as possible, but ultimately knows that it will fade away. The final lyrics of the song are a mysterious and ambiguous reference to a hat, perhaps a symbol for the singer's commitment and devotion to his lover.
Overall, "1880 Or So" is a song that is filled with complex and beautiful metaphors that describe the singer's love for his partner. It is a melancholic and introspective song, filled with an understated beauty that has earned it a special place in the hearts of many fans of Television's music.
Line by Line Meaning
O rose of my heart, can't you see
My beloved, please understand that I cannot bear to be in despair.
I don't belong to misery
I refuse to let misery control me.
Though she speaks fine with subtle art
Even though misery is skilled in its manipulation.
Such misery clothes the rose of my heart.
But it is not enough to overshadow the beauty of my love for you.
Now what I see in the long twilight
As the sun sets in the distant horizon, my gaze fixates on...
A star falls down on a hill so white
...the sight of a falling star landing on the snowy hilltop.
A face that glows in a golden hue
The magnificent sight of a face illuminated in a radiant, warm glow.
No-one in this world knows what they do
It is a mysterious phenomenon that cannot be explained by anyone.
I take my oath and I make my vow
I solemnly promise and commit myself to...
For the tender things are upon me now.
...embracing the tender moments that surround me in this very moment.
In the fragrance sweet of the evening air
Amidst the alluring aroma of the evening breeze,
I could leave this world quite without a care.
I am content and at peace with the world, and could easily depart from it without any regrets.
O rose of my heart, the vision dims
My thoughts drift and the once-clear vision becomes hazy.
the time is brief, now the shadow swims,
Time is limited and fleeting, and the approaching darkness haunts my mind.
A powerful a real fine hat
In this moment, I see a powerful and amazing object before me.
Cause that's for you and that's where that's at.
Because it represents you and your influence on my perspective.
O rose of my heart
My precious love,
O rose of my heart
My dear, sweet love,
O rose of my heart.
My love for you is ever-lasting.
Contributed by Caden I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.