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.
Edison's Medicine
Tesla Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Second and third as well.
My jury finds you'll be serving your time
When you go straight to hell.
'Cause he was Lord of the Lightning,
Though "socially frightening",
But never out to sell.
Their nickels and pence
Meant more than did sense,
And not the sensible thing.
Nor did the man outta time, man outta time.
Thought you was crazy, you was one of a kind.
Man outta time, man outta time.
All along, world was wrong, you was right.
All that he saw, all he conceived,
They just could not believe.
Steinmetz and Twain were friends that remained,
Along with number three.
He was electromagnetic, completely kinetic,
"New Wizard of the West."
But they swindled and whined that he wasn't our kind,
And said Edison knew best.
He was the man outta time, man outta time.
Thought you was crazy, you was one of a kind.
Man outta time, man outta time.
Said you was outta your mind!
You took a shot and it did you in.
Edison's medicine.
You played your cards, but you couldn't win.
Edison's medicine.
I spent twelve years of hard time,
More like the best years of my life.
Never heard or read a single word
About "the man" and his "wicked mind."
They'll sell you on Marconi.
Familiar, but a phony.
Story goes they sold their souls
And swore that you'd never know.
About the man outta time, man outta time.
Thought you was crazy, you was one of a kind.
Man outta time, man outta time.
Swore you was outta your mind!
You took a shot and it did you in.
Edison's medicine.
You played your cards, but you couldn't win.
Edison's medicine.
You took a shot and it did you in.
Edison's medicine.
You played your cards, but you couldn't win.
Edison's medicine.
The lyrics to Tesla's song "Edison's Medicine" are about the famous "War of Currents" between two inventors, Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla. The song portrays Tesla as the "man outta time" who was ahead of his time and misunderstood by society. The first stanza presents Tesla as the one who has been wronged, and the jury (presumably people) declares that he would be serving his time in hell. The second stanza introduces Tesla as the "Lord of the Lightning," who was not interested in selling his inventions. However, he was socially frightening and was not understood by anyone, especially those who placed more emphasis on money rather than sense.
The third stanza describes how Tesla's inventions were not being accepted by the society, and how the nickel-and-pence-minded people were saying that Tesla's inventions were not practical (didn't make sense). The chorus repeats the theme of Tesla being ahead of his time and how the world was wrong in not understanding his inventions. The fourth stanza talks about how Steinmetz (a mathematician and electrical engineer) and Twain (a writer) were his friends who believed in him. Tesla's invention of the "alternating current" was perceived as a threat to Edison's monopoly over the power supply to New York City. So, Edison resorted to running a smear campaign against Tesla's work and invented the term "Westinghoused" (a synonym for being electrocuted). The last section of the song talks about how Tesla was wronged and was never given the credit he deserved.
Line by Line Meaning
You're guilty of crime in the first degree,
You are guilty of a serious crime.
Second and third as well.
You are also guilty of additional crimes.
My jury finds you'll be serving your time
You have been found guilty and will now serve your sentence.
When you go straight to hell.
Your punishment will be severe and eternal.
'Cause he was Lord of the Lightning,
The person in question had great power and influence over electricity.
Though 'socially frightening',
Despite causing social unrest or unease.
But never out to sell.
Their intentions were never to profit from their inventions or ideas.
Their nickels and pence
Their small amounts of money.
Meant more than did sense,
Their desire for money was more important to them than common sense.
And not the sensible thing.
They did not make sensible or wise choices.
Nor did the man outta time, man outta time.
Even the person out of their own time period did not understand their choices or ideas.
Thought you was crazy, you was one of a kind.
Other people thought the person was crazy because their ideas were so unique and unconventional.
All along, world was wrong, you was right.
The world was misguided or incorrect while the person in question was correct or had the right ideas.
All that he saw, all he conceived,
The person saw and imagined great things.
They just could not believe.
Others did not believe the person's visionary ideas were possible.
Steinmetz and Twain were friends that remained,
Two notable people were supportive of this person despite the larger community's skepticism.
Along with number three.
Another unknown or unnamed person was also supportive.
He was electromagnetic, completely kinetic,
The person was highly energized and constantly moving or active.
'New Wizard of the West.'
The person was a visionary and forward-thinking leader in their field.
But they swindled and whined that he wasn't our kind,
Others cheated and complained that the person did not belong or was not fitting in with them.
And said Edison knew best.
Others believed that Thomas Edison was the best or most qualified person to guide their field.
Said you was outta your mind!
Others believed the person was insane or mentally unstable.
You took a shot and it did you in.
The person took a risk and it ultimately led to their downfall or demise.
Edison's medicine.
The 'medicine' or solution to the person's downfall was created by Thomas Edison or those who trusted his ideas.
You played your cards, but you couldn't win.
The person made choices that ultimately led to their downfall or loss.
I spent twelve years of hard time,
The singer of the song spent twelve years serving time in prison or under punishment.
More like the best years of my life.
Despite the punishment, the singer enjoyed this period of their life the most.
Never heard or read a single word
The artist never heard or read anything about the person in question.
About 'the man' and his 'wicked mind.'
There were rumors or stories about this person having malicious or evil intentions.
They'll sell you on Marconi.
Others will try to persuade or convince you that Marconi was the real genius.
Familiar, but a phony.
Marconi was recognizable but ultimately fake or deceiving.
Story goes they sold their souls
Others sold their integrity or beliefs in order to gain power or money.
And swore that you'd never know.
Others made a promise that the truth about the person in question would never be known.
Swore you was outta your mind!
Others continued to insist that the person was insane or mentally unstable.
You took a shot and it did you in.
The person took a risk that ended up hurting them.
Edison's medicine.
Others used Thomas Edison's ideas to solve their problems or get what they wanted while harming the person.
You played your cards, but you couldn't win.
The person made choices that led to their downfall or loss.
You took a shot and it did you in.
The person took a risk that ended up hurting them.
Edison's medicine.
Others used Thomas Edison's ideas to solve their problems or get what they wanted while harming the person.
You played your cards, but you couldn't win.
The person made choices that led to their downfall or loss.
Lyrics © RING BEARER MUSIC LTD
Written by: BRIAN WHEAT, FRANK HANNON, JEFF KEITH, MICHAEL BARBIERO, TOM SKEOCH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@vlwetzel65
This is my all time favorite Tesla song!!! And one of my all time favorite bands along with Cinderella. This music will never get old it's PURE ROCK AND ROLL ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
@matthewfeatherston8982
I've honestly thought this has been way underrated rock song for a long time myself
@micaelarichard9060
Not only was he a genius at inventing, he also knew 8 languages completely fluently, and was celibate his whole life to focus on his work. That's what I call awesome.
@MrUnidyne
It may not have been Celibacy. He could just have been Asexual.
@infinitesimotel
It would actually be more awesome to have some hot girl he would take to the moon and back, all her experiences were just electric
@leevmeealone3360
@@MrUnidyne no he definitely had to masturbate at some point. He's not a fuckin sponge or a starfish. Humans are biologically incapable of reproducing asexually.
@RyeOnHam
Underrated man. Underrated band. Irony.
@garyhighley9022
Nah...he just hit the cathouse once in a while.
@fssrk1
Tesla's biography inspired me to be an electrical engineer. Been working as an engineer for 12 years and almost finished my masters of engineering degree while working full time. Love songs like this, it inspires me to learn more.
@brianjohnson6053
I went to line school in 91 the more i dug Edison was a fraud. 1.73 makes the world go round