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 Rocket
Television Lyrics
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Rocket
Rocket
The Rocket
Got a car
Gonna go
Gonna go go
In my car
(Blast off)
Rocket
Sherry
Cherie, soon it's time to go
Cherie
Cherie, soon it's time to go
(Blast off!)
Rocket
Cool
Enjoy political freedom now!
Enjoy political freedom
Got a shovel
Gonna dig
Dig a hole
Put somethin' in there
Put somethin' in there
Rocket
Go
Cherie
Cherie
(Blast off!)
Heavy rocket
(Yeah)
(Blast off!)
Rocket!
The Rocket
(Now stand clear!)
The song "The Rocket" by Television is a fast-paced, energetic track that describes the excitement of preparing to embark on a journey in a rocket. The singer of the song has a car and is ready to go, urging everyone else to evacuate the area before the rocket takes off. The repeated use of the word "rocket" creates a sense of urgency and anticipation, as the singer is clearly enthusiastic about the impending blast-off. The mention of Sherry and Cherie also adds a human element to the song, as if the singer is saying goodbye to someone special before beginning their adventure.
The lyrics "Enjoy political freedom now" are particularly intriguing, as they add a socio-political layer to the song. It's possible that the singer is from a country where political freedoms are limited, and they're using the rocket as a means of escaping oppression. The line "Got a shovel, gonna dig, dig a hole, put somethin' in there" is also mysterious and cryptic, giving the impression that there's more to the singer's story than what is explicitly stated.
Overall, "The Rocket" is a high-energy rock song that captures the thrill of embarking on a new and exciting adventure. With its positive message about pursuing freedom and exploring the unknown, the song is a celebration of the human spirit and our innate desire to push boundaries and challenge ourselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Evacuate the area
Everyone needs to leave the area immediately for their own safety.
Rocket Rocket The Rocket
This is a song about a rocket and its launch.
Got a car Gonna go Gonna go go
I have a car and I'm going to use it to get to the rocket launch.
In my car Rocket
I'll be traveling to the rocket launch in my car.
Blast off Rocket
The rocket will soon take off.
Sherry Cherie, soon it's time to go Cherie Cherie, soon it's time to go
I'm telling my friend Cherie that it's almost time for us to leave for the rocket launch.
Cool Enjoy political freedom now!
We have the freedom to go watch a rocket launch without fear of political persecution.
Enjoy political freedom
We are fortunate to live in a society where we can enjoy such freedoms.
Got a shovel Gonna dig Dig a hole Put somethin' in there Put somethin' in there
I need a shovel to bury something important, and I plan to do it before leaving for the rocket launch.
Rocket Go Cherie Cherie
We're heading to the rocket launch, Cherie and I.
Blast off!
The rocket is launching and taking off into space.
Heavy rocket (Yeah) (Blast off!) Rocket!
The rocket is large and powerful, and everyone is excited to see it launch.
The Rocket (Now stand clear!)
The rocket launch is happening now, so everyone needs to move out of the way for safety.
Contributed by Brooklyn S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.