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.
Kingdom Come
Television Lyrics
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And I heard the voice that cries "it's all in vain"
The face of doom was shining in my room
I just need one day somewhere far away
Lord, I just need one day
[Chorus:]
Well, I'll be breaking these rocks until the kingdom comes
Yes, I'll be breaking these rocks until the kingdom comes
It's my price to pay until the Kingdom comes
The river's so muddy, but it may come clear
And I know too well what's keeping me here
I'm just a slave of a burning ray
Give me the night, I can't take another sight
Please give me the night.
[Chorus]
The sun keeps beating down, the wall's a mile high
Up in the towers they're watching me, hoping I'm gonna die
But they'll open these cells when the kingdom comes
I won't be breaking no rocks when the kingdom comes
Yes, they'll open these cells when the kingdom comes
I won't hear their talk when the kingdom comes
I'm going up for a pardon when the kingdom comes
Well, pardon me when the kingdom comes
I won't be breaking no rock
I won't be breaking no rock
I won't be breaking no rock
When the kingdom comes
"Kingdom Come" by Television is a song about a man who feels trapped in a miserable life and yearns for freedom. He walks in the rain and hears a voice that tells him that everything he's doing is pointless. He sees the "face of doom" shining in his room, and believes that he needs to escape for just one day. The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "I'll be breaking these rocks until the kingdom comes," which is a reference to the traditional punishment of breaking rocks in prison. The lyrics express the idea that the man feels like he's stuck in a prison of his own making, and that he's paying a price for his mistakes. But he also acknowledges that he's not alone in his struggle, as others are watching him and hoping he'll fail.
The line "The river's so muddy, but it may come clear" suggests that there's hope for the man to make a change and improve his situation. He knows what's holding him back, but he's struggling to break free. He sees himself as a "slave of a burning ray," which could be interpreted as a metaphor for his inner turmoil. He desperately wants relief from his suffering and asks for a night to escape his troubles. The final verse of the song suggests that there's a possibility for the man to find redemption and be pardoned for his mistakes when the kingdom comes. The repetition of the line "I won't be breaking no rock" emphasizes the hope that he'll be able to find a way out of his prison.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I walked in the pouring rain
I felt hopeless as I trudged through the stormy weather.
And I heard the voice that cries 'it's all in vain'
I listened to a voice that told me my efforts were pointless.
The face of doom was shining in my room
I felt terrified by the overwhelming sense of danger in my surroundings.
I just need one day somewhere far away
I longed for a solitary moment away from the chaos of my current existence.
Lord, I just need one day
I prayed to a higher power for a brief respite from my struggles.
[Chorus:]
Repeated phrase indicating the singer's acceptance of the difficult, unending work ahead of them in their current situation.
The river's so muddy, but it may come clear
The obstacles in my path seem insurmountable, but there's still a possibility for success.
And I know too well what's keeping me here
I understand the specific factors that are forcing me to stay in this undesirable situation.
I'm just a slave of a burning ray
I'm trapped by an oppressive force that's causing me pain and suffering.
Give me the night, I can't take another sight
I desperately need to escape my current surroundings, even if only for a brief moment.
[Chorus]
Repeated phrase indicating the singer's acceptance of the difficult, unending work ahead of them in their current situation.
The sun keeps beating down, the wall's a mile high
The harsh reality of my existence feels inescapable and overwhelming.
Up in the towers they're watching me, hoping I'm gonna die
Those in power around me are eagerly awaiting my failure and demise.
But they'll open these cells when the kingdom comes
The singer believes in a future where their oppressive situation will end and they will be free.
I won't be breaking no rocks when the kingdom comes
The singer will be free from their current manual labor work when the kingdom comes.
Yes, they'll open these cells when the kingdom comes
The singer eagerly looks forward to a future where they will be free from their current oppressive situation.
I won't hear their talk when the kingdom comes
The singer will no longer be subjected to the cruel words and actions of those who oppress them.
I'm going up for a pardon when the kingdom comes
The singer believes they will be forgiven for their past mistakes once the kingdom comes.
Well, pardon me when the kingdom comes
The singer hopes to be granted forgiveness for their sins in the future.
I won't be breaking no rock
The singer will no longer be forced to do manual labor when the kingdom comes.
When the kingdom comes
A repeated phrase that represents the singer's hope and belief in a better future free from oppression and suffering.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: TOM VERLAINE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind