Tesla's music fit well with the blasting sounds of their 80s hair metal and glam rock contemporaries. Yet it was more bluesy and lyrics dealt with other themes than just the usual, girls, alcohol and violence. But what set them even more apart from their contemporaries was their t-shirt and jeans image, a 'street' look reminiscent of the Ramones (and other 70s punk groups) that was in strong contrast of the leather, spandex, and flashy-make type look of the time.
The band's early lifespan as City Kidd brought them considerable frustration, with them failing to break into the musical mainstream while also competing with another band with the same name. Their mutation into Tesla provided a clear shot at success. 'Mechanical Resonance', their debut that the boys released in 1986, became a commercial smash while also receiving significant critical praise. That album was certified platinum by the RIAA on October 5, 1989.
In total, the group has released six studio albums with original music, the latest of them being 2008's 'Forever More'. They have also created a a double-disc covers album, titled 'Real To Reel', as well as a number of compilations and live albums. Their sound has focused on a particularly melodic and accessible kind of hard rock with strong shades of classic heavy metal as well.
Tesla's popular 1990 remake of Signs, originally recorded by the Five Man Electrical Band (who also inspired the album which the remake came from, Five Man Acoustical Jam), is probably the most mainstream of Tesla's hits. However, many fans remember fondly Tesla's other hits such as Gettin' Better, Modern Day Cowboy, Little Suzi, Edison's Medicine and Love Song.
The band derived their name, certain album and song names (e.g. The Great Radio Controversy, Mechanical Resonance, etc), and some song content from events relating to Nikola Tesla, a Serbian-American inventor and electrical engineer born in the 19th century in Smiljan, Austria-Hungary, modern day Croatia.
A Wonderful World
Tesla Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I told myself, what a wonderful world
Climb a tree, headin' straight to the pond
Catch some polly wogs before they turn to frogs
Puppy love out behind a log, before you know it it's a big old dog
Left so suddenly, where's that wonderful world?
Just a kid growin' up on a farm, hardly knew what was right from wrong
It's a jungle in this wonderful world
Ever since Johnny went to Nam, he lost his mind when he lost his arm
I convinced myself, it's an ugly old world
But see in school, I was just a kid, someone had to go and shoot the president
He wasn't sleeping when he's going to bed, so they said, so now he's dead
Didn't know much but I knew it wasn't funny
Everybody's crying like they killed the Easter bunny
Nothing changes, never changes, killing in vain
Tell me what it's coming to, tell me what we're all gonna do
If it stays like this we'll have nothing left to lose
Saw a picture and it ain't so pretty, from the West Coast to New York City
I've seen the world, it's such a pity, we'll be here on our own
Ever since Chicken Little said, "Humpty Dumpty fell and broke his head"
I told myself, what a wonderful world
Ever since mom she revealed, the tooth fairy nor Santa Clause is real
May be so, mama, it's still a wonderful world
That may be so, mama, still it's a wonderful world
The song "A Wonderful World" by Tesla delves into the complexities of life and the mixed emotions that come with it. The opening lines refer to the folk tale of Chicken Little, who believed the sky was falling down. However, the singer of the song tells himself that it is a wonderful world, using childhood experiences like catching polly wogs and puppy love to reinforce this belief. However, the tone shifts as the song progresses, with the singer experiencing the harsh realities of life - war, death, and violence. The song highlights the contrasting emotions one feels while navigating through life's highs and lows and comes full circle with the reminder that despite it all, it is still a wonderful world.
Line by Line Meaning
Ever since Chicken Little said, the sky was fallin' down upon his head
Even in the midst of chaos and fear, there are still things to appreciate and be grateful for.
I told myself, what a wonderful world
Despite the challenges and negativity, I choose to see the beauty in the world and hope for a better future.
Climb a tree, headin' straight to the pond
Enjoy the simple pleasures of childhood and connect with nature.
Catch some polly wogs before they turn to frogs
Be present in the moment and appreciate the fleeting nature of life.
Puppy love out behind a log, before you know it it's a big old dog
Time passes quickly, and the innocence and purity of youth gives way to the complexities of adulthood.
Left so suddenly, where's that wonderful world?
When life throws unexpected curveballs, it can be hard to hold onto hope and optimism.
Just a kid growin' up on a farm, hardly knew what was right from wrong
Childhood innocence can shield us from many of the harsh realities of life.
It's a jungle in this wonderful world
The world can be a harsh and unforgiving place.
Ever since Johnny went to Nam, he lost his mind when he lost his arm
The trauma and horrors of war can have lasting impacts on individuals and society at large.
I convinced myself, it's an ugly old world
In the face of tragedy and suffering, it can be difficult to see the good in humanity and the world.
But see in school, I was just a kid, someone had to go and shoot the president
The loss of influential figures can shake us to our core and make us question our place in the world.
He wasn't sleeping when he's going to bed, so they said, so now he's dead
The senselessness of violence can be hard to comprehend and accept.
Didn't know much but I knew it wasn't funny
Even without a full understanding of the situation, pain and suffering is apparent.
Everybody's crying like they killed the Easter bunny
Grief and sorrow can manifest in many different ways, and can be hard to process.
Nothing changes, never changes, killing in vain
The cyclical nature of violence and tragedy can seem never-ending and futile.
Tell me what it's coming to, tell me what we're all gonna do
In the face of adversity and uncertainty, it can be difficult to know what to do or how to move forward.
If it stays like this we'll have nothing left to lose
When things seem bleak and hopeless, it can feel like there is nothing left to hold onto or strive for.
Saw a picture and it ain't so pretty, from the West Coast to New York City
The world can be a dark and ugly place, and suffering exists on both macro and micro scales.
I've seen the world, it's such a pity, we'll be here on our own
The world may be beautiful in some ways, but ultimately humans are largely alone in their struggle to navigate it.
Ever since Chicken Little said, 'Humpty Dumpty fell and broke his head'
Life is unpredictable and can change in an instant, often without warning.
Ever since mom she revealed, the tooth fairy nor Santa Clause is real
As we grow up, we lose some of the magic and wonder that defined our childhood.
May be so, mama, it's still a wonderful world
Despite the challenges and disappointments of adulthood, there is still beauty and joy to be found in the world.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: George David Weiss, Robert Thiele
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Christopher N. Savage
on Getting' Better
A shame that you can't see the original video, but this tune has the passion and power to lift you up and brighten your day!!!!!