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.
The Revolution
Television Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A classic piece of literature,
If I ever heard one.
Part 1:
A wicked, bitter pretence,
Stumbling round,
No doubt,
Righteous.
Remember now the year's
1412, or something.
As I searched amongst them
For a valuable gold piece.
Not really,
No, not really.
The Bastard's Tale,
Part 2:
Now remember,
The year is 1714,
And we're enjoying our new inventions,
Whatever those were.
Such is The Bastard's life,
Without apology,
A cursed, pathetic boredom
Altered by death alone.
Death, a giant test,
Transpired
July 30th 1914.
You should have seen us then,
Coupled as we were,
A feverish embrace.
Wow.
The lyrics to Television's song "The Revolution" are quite cryptic and open to interpretation, but one possible interpretation is that they speak about the endless cycles of human history and the futility of our pursuits. The references to different years and inventions suggest that humanity is always creating and innovating, but the underlying boredom and curse of existence remain unchanged. The "Bastard's Tale" is likened to a classic piece of literature, suggesting that this cycle of struggle and ennui has been documented throughout history.
In Part 1 of the Bastard's Tale, the singer is depicted as a bitter and pretentious figure stumbling around without purpose, searching for a valuable gold piece that he never finds. This could be interpreted as a commentary on our society's obsession with wealth and material possessions, and the ultimate futility of these pursuits. The mention of the year 1412 adds a historical context, but also implies that these issues have been present for centuries.
Part 2 shifts to the year 1714 and suggests that new inventions are being enjoyed, but the Bastard's life is still cursed and pathetic. Death is presented as a "giant test" that ultimately alters our existence, but the feverish embrace of coupled individuals suggests that we still seek connection and love despite the cycle of struggle and boredom. The final line "wow" could be interpreted as a sarcastic commentary on this futile pursuit of happiness, or as an expression of wonder at the complexity and mystery of life.
Line by Line Meaning
A wicked, bitter pretence,
Referring to the singer's current state of being false or deceitful in some way.
Stumbling round,
Describing the singer as unsteady, both physically and mentally.
No doubt,
Asserting the certainty of the previous statement.
Blase
Feeling unimpressed or indifferent towards something.
Righteous.
Characterizing the artist as believing in and behaving according to what is morally right.
Remember now the year's
1412, or something.
Giving context to the singer's situation in time.
As I searched amongst them
For a valuable gold piece.
Describing the singer's actions in the given time and place.
Not really,
No, not really.
Admitting to lying or exaggerating in the previous lines.
Now remember,
The year is 1714,
Establishing a new time period for the artist's story.
And we're enjoying our new inventions,
Whatever those were.
Describing the artist's general attitude towards new technology and innovation.
Such is The Bastard's life,
Acknowledging the character of the Bastard and describing his general way of living.
Without apology,
Asserting that the Bastard does not feel remorse or regret for his actions.
A cursed, pathetic boredom
Altered by death alone.
Describing the Bastard's life as mundane and meaningless, only made interesting or significant by the presence of death.
Death, a giant test,
Transpired
July 30th 1914.
Outlining a specific event that involved death.
You should have seen us then,
Coupled as we were,
A feverish embrace.
Describing a passionate moment between the singer and one or more others.
Wow.
An exclamation emphasizing the intensity of the previous lines.
Contributed by Jake B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@lawrencekenchen19
Back in the day with Gil Scott-Heron.
Remembering the days of Hope, Change, Self-Confidence, Self Love, The Afro, The
Dashiki, The Acquisition of Rights "By Any Means Necessary" and waiting ever so patiently on the Revolution!
Hey Gil, for some of us the revolution is still live.
A Thumping in our heart's, first and foremost in our thoughts.
For some of us, we will insist, in your honor that the revolution will not be televised!
It will simply be a quick changing of the guard.
WORD!
Simply,
Larry
@thequietrevolution3404
"You can't separate peace from freedom because no one can be at peace unless he has his freedom." ~ Malcolm X
@dwightlove3704
He fell under the influence of MALCOLM X
@Burt472
Holy words...And true
@slappy8941
Freedom doesn't mean freedom to commit crimes.
@michaelkaiser1864
PREACH!!!!!
@Illitha
@@slappy8941 it also doesn't mean you need to sit and watch atrocities
@2opinionatedinsinuations
It's 2023 and it still hits home. Prayers for us all❤
yes. the genocide will not be televised :-(
@StevenGreene070
Palestine will be free, and cop City will be abolished
@leaellacoleshusband7566
This should be playing all over the country right now