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.
Venus
Television Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The world was so thin between my bones and skin
There stood another person who was a little surprised
To be face to face with a world so alive
How I fell (did you feel low?)
No (huh?)
I fell right into the arms of Venus De Milo
You know it's all like some new kind of drug
My senses are sharp and my hands are like gloves
Broadway looked so medieval
It seemed to flap like little pages
And I fell sideways laughing
With a friend from many stages
How we felt (did you feel low?)
Not at all (huh?)
I fell right into the arms of Venus De Milo
Suddenly, my eyes went so soft and shaky
I knew there was pain but pain is not aching
Then Richie, Richie said
"Hey man, let's dress up like cops, think of what we could do"
Something, something said "you better not"
And I fell (did you feel low?)
Nah (huh?)
I stood up, walked out of the arms of Venus De Milo
The lyrics to Television's song "Venus" are about a surreal, dream-like experience in New York City. The singer describes the night as "tight" and the streets as "so bright," suggesting a feeling of being wound up or tense. The world feels thin "between my bones and skin," as if the singer is aware of their own fragility. They encounter another person who is also surprised by the intensity of the city.
The singer then describes falling, but it's unclear what this means. They ask, "How I fell (did you feel low?)" but answer themselves with a simple "No." They then say that they fell into the arms of Venus De Milo, which could be interpreted literally as falling into the arms of the famous Greek statue, or figuratively as falling in love or surrendering to a powerful force. The next verse suggests that the experience is like a drug, heightening the singer's senses and making them feel invincible.
The singer and a friend walk down Broadway, which looks "medieval" and "like little pages." They fall over laughing and feel a deep sense of camaraderie. Suddenly, the singer's eyes go "soft and shaky," but they don't feel pain as an ache. Their friend Richie suggests they dress up like cops and cause trouble, but something inside the singer warns them against it. They stand up and walk away from the intense, fantastical experience of Venus.
Overall, the lyrics to "Venus" paint a picture of a wild, surreal night in New York City. The singer feels both exhilarated and scared, and the experience leaves them with a sense of unease.
Line by Line Meaning
It was a tight toy night, streets so bright
The night was exciting and the streets were lively.
The world was so thin between my bones and skin
The singer felt exposed and vulnerable.
There stood another person who was a little surprised
Someone else was also amazed by their surroundings.
To be face to face with a world so alive
They were confronted with a vibrant and energetic world.
How I fell (did you feel low?)
No (huh?)
I fell right into the arms of Venus De Milo
The artist is enamored with Venus De Milo and fell under her spell.
You know it's all like some new kind of drug
My senses are sharp and my hands are like gloves
The experience is exhilarating and all-encompassing.
Broadway looked so medieval
It seemed to flap like little pages
And I fell sideways laughing
With a friend from many stages
The singer and their friend found the setting ridiculous and laughed about it.
How we felt (did you feel low?)
Not at all (huh?)
I fell right into the arms of Venus De Milo
The other person is also charmed by Venus De Milo and unaffected by any negative feelings.
Suddenly, my eyes went so soft and shaky
I knew there was pain but pain is not aching
The artist experienced a shift in their perception of pain.
Then Richie, Richie said
"Hey man, let's dress up like cops, think of what we could do"
Something, something said "you better not"
One person suggested mischief, but another advised against it.
And I fell (did you feel low?)
Nah (huh?)
I stood up, walked out of the arms of Venus De Milo
The singer broke free from the allure of Venus De Milo and moved on from the experience.
Lyrics © Rocking Gorillas Music Ltda
Written by: Tom Verlaine
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind