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.
Dear Mr. Fantasy
Tesla Lyrics
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Something to make us all happy
Do anything, take us out of this gloom
Sing a song, play guitar, make it snappy
You are the one who can make us all laugh
But doing that you break out in tears
Please don't be sad if it was a straight mind you had
Dear Mr. Fantasy play us a tune
Something to make us all happy
Do anything, take us out of this gloom
Sing a song, play guitar, make it snappy, yeah yeah
Dear Mr. Fantasy play us a tune
Something to make us all happy
Do anything, take us out of this gloom
Sing a song, play guitar, make it snappy
You are the one who can make us all laugh
But doing that you break out in tears
Please don't be sad if it was a straight mind you had
We wouldn't have known you all these years
The song "Dear Mr. Fantasy" by Tesla is a cover of the original composition by the rock band Traffic. The lyrics are a plea to the titular "Mr. Fantasy" to play a tune that will uplift the listeners and ease their thoughts of despair. The song is imbued with a sense of longing – the desire to escape from the drudgery and sadness of daily life – and the recognition that the person who can bring about this escape is the one being addressed.
The first stanza begins with a direct appeal to "Mr. Fantasy" to provide something that will make everyone "happy". The second line "Something to make us all happy," reinforces this plea. The third line acknowledges the gravity of the situation – that the listeners are in a state of "gloom." The final line of the stanza is a call to arms – "Sing a song, play guitar, make it snappy" – that urges the person to take action to relieve the bleakness of the moment.
The second stanza is more reflective. It starts with a compliment – recognizing that the person being addressed has the ability to bring joy – but then reveals that this ability has a cost. The next two lines describe how this person's attempt to create mirth actually leads them to cry. The final line is an emotional plea to not be sad because, even if they had a "straight mind," the listeners would not have known "Mr. Fantasy" for all these years.
All in all, the lyrics of "Dear Mr. Fantasy" convey a sense of yearning for something more, a desperate plea for a moment of lightness amidst the heavy burdens of life. By acknowledging the emotional weight carried by the person who can provide such a moment, the song underscores the value of their talents and the importance of compassion in interpersonal relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Dear Mr. Fantasy play us a tune
Dear Mr. Fantasy, please play us a song.
Something to make us all happy
We need something to lift our spirits and make us feel good.
Do anything, take us out of this gloom
Anything you can do to help us escape the sadness and darkness we feel.
Sing a song, play guitar, make it snappy
We're open to any kind of uplifting music, whether it's a song or instrumental, and we'd love it if it's lively.
You are the one who can make us all laugh
We know you have the ability to bring joy and laughter to our lives.
But doing that you break out in tears
However, we also know that it's not easy for you, and that it often brings you sadness and pain.
Please don't be sad if it was a straight mind you had
We don't want you to feel ashamed or regretful about who you are.
We wouldn't have known you all these years
We appreciate and value you for who you are, and we've enjoyed having you in our lives.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Steve Winwood, Chris Wood, Jim Capaldi
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!!!!!