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.
Can't Stop
Tesla Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She'll catch a young man's fancy. A-love 'em, leave 'em alone.
I should-a seen it comin'. She took me for a ride.
Still feel the fire burnin'. That's why I can't...
...Stop.
Can't stop fallin'.
I can't stop.
I can't stop fallin' for your love.
Can't stop fallin'. Ah.
I can't stop.
Can't stop fallin'.
I can't win.
For losin'.
I can't stop fallin' for your love.
Can't stop fallin'.
I'm a fool for you.
Lovin' after midnight, a shadow on the run.
By the time ya realize, the damage has been done.
You better keep your distance, if ya know what's good for you.
Me, I got no resistance. And that's why I can't... (To Chorus)
Yeah, I'm a fool for you.
I'm a fool for you. Ow!
Little Miss "Cotton Candy" still turnin' hearts to stone.
Candy's fine and dandy, but then, sex don't rot your teeth
I never seen it comin'. She took by surprise.
Still feed the fire burnin'. That's why I can't... (To Chorus)
Yeah, I'm a fool for you. Ooh.
I can't stop fallin' for your love.
I can't stop. I can't stop fallin' for your love. Oh. Oh.
The song "Can't Stop" by Tesla revolves around a young, attractive woman who captures the hearts of many men only to leave them broken-hearted. The singer warns of her allure, but he too finds himself unable to resist her charms. He admits to being a fool for her, falling for her love even though he knows that it will likely lead to heartbreak.
The lyrics suggest that the woman is manipulative and enjoys playing with men's emotions. The comparison of her to cotton candy, which is sweet but ultimately lacks substance or nutrition, is apt. The line "lovin' after midnight, a shadow on the run" implies that the woman is not interested in a lasting, committed relationship, but rather seeks out fleeting encounters.
Despite knowing all of this about her, the singer cannot help but fall for her, leading him to feel like a fool. The repetition of the chorus, "Can't stop fallin'," underscores his inability to resist her.
Overall, the song is a cautionary tale about the dangers of allowing yourself to be drawn in by someone who might not have your best interests at heart.
Line by Line Meaning
Young girl sweet as candy, a-turnin' hearts to stone.
The young girl is charming but has a negative influence on the people she gets close to.
She'll catch a young man's fancy. A-love 'em, leave 'em alone.
She attracts young men but doesn't commit to a relationship.
I should-a seen it comin'. She took me for a ride.
The singer should have realized that the girl would hurt him emotionally as she did others.
Still feel the fire burnin'. That's why I can't...
Despite the girl's negative impact, the artist is still drawn to her.
Can't stop fallin'.
The artist can't stop himself from falling in love with the girl.
I can't win. For losin'.
The singer feels like he can't win in a relationship with the girl as it will end badly for him.
I'm a fool for you.
The singer acknowledges that he is foolish for being in love with the girl despite the consequences.
Lovin' after midnight, a shadow on the run.
The relationship with the girl is mysterious and secretive, hidden like a shadow in the night.
By the time ya realize, the damage has been done.
The effects of the relationship on the artist are not apparent until it's too late.
You better keep your distance, if ya know what's good for you.
The girl is dangerous to be involved with, and others should stay away.
Me, I got no resistance. And that's why I can't... (To Chorus)
The singer is unable to resist the girl's charm despite the potential for harm.
Little Miss "Cotton Candy" still turnin' hearts to stone.
The girl still has the power to harm others despite her sweet persona.
Candy's fine and dandy, but then, sex don't rot your teeth
Physical pleasure may be appealing, but it can still have negative consequences.
I never seen it comin'. She took by surprise.
The girl's negative influence caught the singer off guard.
Still feed the fire burnin'. That's why I can't... (To Chorus)
Despite acknowledging the girl's harm, the singer is still drawn to her.
I can't stop fallin' for your love.
The artist's love for the girl is consuming and difficult to control.
Ow!
An exclamation of pain, frustration, or emotion.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BRIAN WHEAT, FRANK HANNON, JEFF KEITH, TOM SKEOCH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Craig Coughlin
Tesla still remains a titan of the glorious 80s in a unique hybrid genre of their own. You know Jeff's voice when you hear it. Its what has kept them all alive n together and still touring in 2019!!!
Brad Wilson
Absolutely !!!! Love me some TESLA
And Jeff is one of a kind ........ (mostly in a good way) lol
Completely underrated in main stream unfortunately but always have & will be my personal favorite
👍🏼👍🏼
Ed Henson
Just want to say, Tesla I don't know if you see these or not. I've been a a fan since 86, I thank you( Jeff, Tommy ,Brian, Frankie, Troy, Dave) every song you have made has helped me thru times in my life. I hope y'all don't stop now.
Pegaso 3 Terminator
Help me too, since they one of the great bands ever!!
FreeMTrider
I absolutely love the vibe and musicianship on this album and the guitar work on this song is awesome.
I grew up in the South Sac neighborhood with these dudes and saw them go from City Kidd at the Oasis to the big stage on this tour. The gratitude is high just seeing them make it.
Can’t wait to see them live again and say hello.
Παναγιωτης Καρλιωτης
still listening in 2020!!!!! Happy New Year folks :) keep rocking Tesla :)
WiLLi4M
I love Tesla.. They remind me of a simpler yet WAY more emotional time.
tim herrick
Dude you called that.. a much simpler time. This band has always been amazing period! !!!
Παναγιωτης Καρλιωτης
I am from Greece and I love them :) I have all of their albums and I still listen to them after all these years :)
Carrie Sunday
Man wish we could go back to the 80s even to visit time to time😊