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.
Bell Bottom Blues
Tesla Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't want to lose this feeling
And if I could choose a place to die
It would be in your arms
Do you want to see me crawl across the floor?
Do you want to hear me beg you to take me back?
Lord I'd gladly do it because
Give me one more day, please
I don't want to fade away
In your heart I want to stay
It's all wrong, but it's all right
The way that you treat me baby
Once I was strong but I lost the fight
You won't find a better loser
Do you want to see me crawl across the floor?
Do you want to hear me beg you to take me back?
Lord I'd gladly do it because
I don't want to fade away
Give me one more day, please
I don't want to fade away
In your heart I want to stay
Do you want to see me crawl across the floor to you?
Do you want to hear me beg you to take me back?
Lord I'd gladly do it because
I don't want to fade away
No, no, no, give me one more day, please
I don't want to fade away
It's in your heart I want to stay
Bell bottom blues, don't you say goodbye
Surely gonna meet again
And if we do, don't you be surprised
If you find me with another lover
Do you want to see me crawl across the floor to you?
Do you want to hear me beg you to take me back?
Lord I'd gladly do it because
I don't want to fade away
No, no, no, give me one more day, please
I don't want to fade away
In your heart I want to stay
I don't want to fade away
Give me one more day please
I don't want to fade away
In your heart I wanna to stay
I don't want to fade away
Give me one more day please
I don't want to fade away
I'm in your heart and that's where I long to stay
In "Bell Bottom Blues," Tesla sings about a love that has caused them pain and emotional turmoil, yet they still long to be with this person. The phrase "bell bottom blues" itself suggests a certain era and style, indicating a nostalgia for a different time. The line "you made me cry" indicates that this relationship has caused the singer a lot of pain, but they don't want to let go of the feeling they have for this person. They long for this love to continue and would rather die in this person's arms than be without them.
The song includes a verse where the singer asks if their former lover wants to see them beg and crawl back, because they would do it if it meant that they would not "fade away." They feel that this person is the one thing that could make them feel alive and wanted. The singer continues to plead for one more day with their lover, insisting that they do not want to fade away or be forgotten. The last verse suggests that they may see each other again, and the singer will have another lover, but they hope that their former lover will not be surprised if they are still in love with them.
Overall, "Bell Bottom Blues" is a heartbreaking tale of love and loss, and the longing to live and die in the arms of the one you love. The singer is vulnerable, emotional, and ultimately, a romantic who is willing to do whatever it takes to be with their lover.
Line by Line Meaning
Bell bottom blues, you made me cry
You caused me intense emotional pain, leaving me deeply saddened.
I don't want to lose this feeling
I want to hold on to this emotional state that being with you brings me, even in the face of great heartache.
And if I could choose a place to die
It would be in your arms
I feel so strongly for you that I would want to be in your embrace even in my dying moments.
Do you want to see me crawl across the floor?
Are you enjoying the power you have over me, even if it means humiliating me or making me feel small?
Do you want to hear me beg you to take me back?
Do you take pleasure in the fact that I am willing to debase myself just to be with you?
Lord I'd gladly do it because
I don't want to fade away
I am willing to do anything to keep this connection with you because I fear losing you and losing this feeling entirely.
Give me one more day, please
I don't want to fade away
In your heart I want to stay
I'm begging for more time to be with you, so that I won't 'fade away' or lose this intense emotion. I want to hold a special place in your heart.
It's all wrong, but it's all right
The way that you treat me baby
You're treating me poorly, but I'm willing to accept this abuse because I see a glimpse of hope that you still care for me.
Once I was strong but I lost the fight
You won't find a better loser
I used to be self-assured, but I've given in to my feelings for you. Even if I'm being used, I'm willing to be a loyal and loving 'loser' for you.
Bell bottom blues, don't you say goodbye
Surely gonna meet again
And if we do, don't you be surprised
If you find me with another lover
I'll try to hold on to the hope that we'll meet again and be together, but even if we don't, I'll move on and still try to find happiness in love.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ERIC PATRICK CLAPTON, BOBBY WHITLOCK
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!!!!!