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.
Cross My Heart
Tesla Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well I’ve been trying to call you honey
Cuz’ I know you’re all alone
Meanwhile I’m stuck in Albuquerque
While you’re taking care of home
Every time it goes to voicemail
Can’t get you on the line
So I’m just sending you this message to ease your worried mind
I promise you my friend when we’re apart
I will be faithful to the end
Cross my heart
I swear to you my friend right from the start
I will be there for you to the end
Cross my heart
I see you tried to call me back
While I was up on stage
Sometimes I feel like an animal who’s locked up in a cage
As the days, the weeks, the months
Turned to years gone by
Too many bad excuses baby
Not even one good reason why
I wanna let you know
You are the only one
I’ll never let you go
You know it’s true, baby
The song "Cross My Heart" by Tesla is a promise of commitment and loyalty in a long-distance relationship. The lyrics tell the story of a man who is on tour and missing his partner. He tries to call but cannot reach her, so he leaves a message promising to be faithful and loyal to her. He promises to always be there for her, and he swears to cross his heart that his love will never falter.
The song starts with the singer trying to reach his partner but he keeps ending up in voicemail. He feels stuck in Albuquerque while his partner is taking care of home. He sends a message to ease her mind and promises to be faithful to her despite being apart. The chorus of the song emphasizes his commitment to her, and that he will always be there for her till the end.
The second verse talks about how the partner tries to call him back while he was up on stage. He feels trapped like an animal locked up in a cage. He realizes that he has been making bad excuses and has no good reason for not being there for her. The last part of the song is a declaration of commitment from the man. He tells his partner that she is the only one and that he will never let her go.
Overall, "Cross My Heart" by Tesla is a love song about keeping promises despite being far away from each other. It talks about the challenges of a long-distance relationship but emphasizes the importance of loyalty and faithfulness to keep the love alive.
Line by Line Meaning
Come on now
I want to talk to you now
Well I’ve been trying to call you honey
I have been attempting to contact you affectionately
Cuz’ I know you’re all alone
I am aware that you are by yourself
Meanwhile I’m stuck in Albuquerque
However, I am currently stranded in Albuquerque
While you’re taking care of home
While you are taking care of our residence
Every time it goes to voicemail
Whenever your phone goes to voicemail
Can’t get you on the line
I am unable to get through to you
So I’m just sending you this message to ease your worried mind
Therefore, I am sending you this message to alleviate your anxieties
I promise you my friend when we’re apart
I vow to you, my companion, in our time apart
I will be faithful to the end
That I will remain devoted until the very last moment
Cross my heart
I am telling the truth and keeping my promise
I swear to you my friend right from the start
I assert to you, my comrade, at the beginning
I will be there for you to the end
That I will be present for you to the last moment
Cross my heart
I am telling the truth and keeping my promise
I see you tried to call me back
I comprehend that you attempted to contact me
While I was up on stage
When I was performing on stage
Sometimes I feel like an animal who’s locked up in a cage
Occasionally, I experience a sensation of being trapped like an imprisoned animal
As the days, the weeks, the months
Over time
Turned to years gone by
Became a significant period of time that has already passed
Too many bad excuses baby
I have made too many unsatisfactory apologies, sweetheart
Not even one good reason why
Without providing a single satisfactory explanation
I wanna let you know
I wish to inform you
You are the only one
That you are the one and only person
I’ll never let you go
I will never release my hold on you
You know it’s true, baby
You are aware that it is the truth, my love
Contributed by Leo G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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!!!!!