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.
Comin' Atcha Live / Truckin'
Tesla Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Alright!
Hey, are we ready?
Well I'm a mean machine, I'm the kind you don't wanna meet
My middle name is trouble, I'm a danger in the street
My motor's in overdrive, my pedal's to the floor
Here I come, better step aside
I said here I come, oh yeah, well I'm a-comin' at you live
I'm comin' atcha live
The only one you want, I never give a warning twice
Well anything could happen like the rollin' of the dice
Here we come, you better step aside
I said here we come, we're comin' at you live
Comin' at you live - we're comin' atcha live
Comin' at you live - comin' atcha live
Comin' at you live - you better step aside
Comin' at you live - ow! ow!
[Solo]
Comin' at you live - we're comin' atcha live
Comin' at you live - comin' atcha live
Comin' at you live - you better step aside
Comin' at you live - comin' atcha live
Comin' at you live - comin' atcha live
Comin' at you live - comin' atcha live
Comin' at you live - step aside, step aside
Comin' at you live - 'cause here we come
Truckin', I'm a-goin' home, whoa whoa, baby, back where I belong
Back home, sit down and patch my bones, and get back truckin' on
What in the hell ever happened to sweet Jane?
She's lost her marbles, you know the chick ain't the same
Livin' on reds, and vitamin see, and cocaine
All the friend can say is "ain't it a bitch"
Busted down on Bourbon Street, set up like a bowlin' pin
Knocked down, sometimes I'm wearin' thin, they just won't let you in
Sometimes the light's all shinin' on me, other times I can barely see
Lately it occurs to me, what a long strange trip is this - that's right
Alright! You guys liked that one, right?
(Just like at home, that's pretty good...)
Hang on a second, I gotta tune up here, or tune down, actually
Alright! We're just fuckin' round tonight, but we're gonna have a good time
Ain't we, Philadelphia? Alright. Let's kick some ass!
The lyrics to Tesla's song "Comin' Atcha Live/Truckin'" are full of swagger and confidence as the singer proclaims that he is a "mean machine" that is always hungry for more. He describes himself as a danger in the streets, with his motor in overdrive and pedal to the floor as he approaches his target. The phrase "comin' atcha live" is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the singer's intention to make a powerful and immediate impact.
The song also features references to the classic Grateful Dead song "Truckin'," with a brief refrain towards the end. The lyrics mention the character "Sweet Jane" who has "lost her marbles" and is "livin' on reds, and vitamin see, and cocaine"—a nod to the famous line in "Truckin'" about "livin' on reds, vitamin C, and cocaine." The song's final verse describes being "busted down on Bourbon Street" and feeling like a bowling pin, with people constantly knocking you down and not letting you in.
Overall, the lyrics to "Comin' Atcha Live/Truckin'" are about confidence, power, danger, and resilience. The singer is determined to make his presence known and will stop at nothing to achieve his goals.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I'm a mean machine, I'm the kind you don't wanna meet
I am a force to be reckoned with. You'd better watch out.
My middle name is trouble, I'm a danger in the street
I am always causing chaos and causing problems wherever I go.
My motor's in overdrive, my pedal's to the floor
I am always going full speed and I never slow down.
I never get enough, I'm always comin' back for more
No matter how much I get, I am always looking for something else.
Here I come, better step aside
Get ready, because I am coming through and you'd better get out of the way.
The only one you want, I never give a warning twice
I am the only one you need, and I won't hesitate to let you know what's up.
Well anything could happen like the rollin' of the dice
Anything can happen at any moment, and it's all up to chance.
Comin' at you live - we're comin' atcha live
We are live, and we are coming for you!
Comin' at you live - comin' atcha live
Again, we are coming at you live and ready to go.
Comin' at you live - you better step aside
Seriously, get out of the way, because we are coming straight for you.
ow! ow!
Yeah! We are here, and we are ready to rock!
Truckin', I'm a-goin' home, whoa whoa, baby, back where I belong
I am heading home, and it feels so good to be back where I belong.
Back home, sit down and patch my bones, and get back truckin' on
Once I get home, I can rest and recover before hitting the road again.
What in the hell ever happened to sweet Jane?
What happened to the innocent and sweet Jane that we used to know?
She's lost her marbles, you know the chick ain't the same
Something has happened to Jane, and now she is different and may not ever be the same again.
Livin' on reds, and vitamin see, and cocaine
Jane is using a dangerous combination of drugs to get by, and it's not looking good.
All the friend can say is "ain't it a bitch"
Jane's friends can only commiserate with her situation, as it's not a good one.
Busted down on Bourbon Street, set up like a bowlin' pin
I was taken down and beaten up on Bourbon Street, and it felt like I was a sitting duck.
Knocked down, sometimes I'm wearin' thin, they just won't let you in
Sometimes I feel like I am running on empty, and no matter what I do, I can't seem to get ahead.
Sometimes the light's all shinin' on me, other times I can barely see
Sometimes things are going great for me, while other times I am barely hanging on for dear life.
Lately it occurs to me, what a long strange trip is this - that's right
Recently, I have realized just how long and strange my journey has been, and it's almost surreal to think about.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: JERRY HANNAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dianne Polmanter
I love discovering all of these Tesla videos I have never seen before. Thanks for sharing! Tesla fan since 1985.
jay double U
ive ben a fan since 1987
Dianne Polmanter
It’s been a fun ride right?
Dorothy Roberts
The live version of this song on the DVD Tesla comin at ya live 2008 tour is freaking awesome it's a must have DVD seen it over 100 times still play it 1 or 2 times a week I gave been a fan since 1986 seen them 7 or 8 times 2 if ghf best shows was at market square arena in Indianapolis induana godhead was them ever the good ol days ..........love these men they a great bunch of guys
William James Ayers
This show gave MTV Unplugged its creative roots.
David Neumeier
Darn, Jeff Keith's Voice was and still is Unique, Cool, and strong as He'll
Especially on Tesla's 2 Cd Double album of cover songs called Reel to Reel saw Tesla at Usana in 2017 in West Valley City, Utah
With Def Leppard & Poison
And Tesla completely rocked Usana that Night.
Angie Luera
Great band to listen too
Little Peace
Rock on! 🎸 🎶♪♫💃🎶♪♫
The Shawn Murphy Journal
I believe the DVD at the time was called Five Man Acoustical Jam when it was released late summer 1990 .
Tom Garcia
I miss my dad so much nobody would never know