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.
I Love You
Tesla Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Foolin' around, hitting the town, growing my hair
You came along and stole my heart when you entered my life
Ooh babe you got what it takes so I made you my wife
Since then I never looked back
It's almost like living a dream
And ooh I love you
You came along from far away and found me here
I was playin' around, feeling down, hittin' the beer
You picked me up from off the floor and gave me a smile
I said you're much too young,
Your life ain't begun, let's walk for awhile
And as my head was spinnin' 'round
I gazed into your eyes
And thought ooh I want you
Thank you babe for being a friend
And shinin' your light on my life
'Cause ooh I need you
As my head was comin' round
I gazed into your eyes and thought ooh I want you
Thanks again for being my friend
And straightening out my life
'Cause ooh I need you
Since then I never looked back
It's almost like livin' a dream
Ooh I got you
If ever a man had it all
It would have to be me
And ooh I love you
The lyrics to Tesla's song "I Love You" describe a love story from the perspective of a man who was once carefree and wandering aimlessly around, until he met a woman who changed his life for the better. The song recounts how they met and the impact she has had on his life. From the beginning, he realized that there was something special about her and decided to marry her. He emphasizes the joy that she brings to his life and how he never looked back after meeting her.
In the second verse, the man takes us back to a time when he was not doing so well, as he was drinking and feeling down. It is at this low point that the woman appears and lifts him up, showing him a smile that immediately catches his attention. Even though he thinks that she is too young for him, he spends time with her, walking and talking. As he gazes into her eyes, he realizes that he wants her in his life.
The chorus of the song reinforces the gratitude that the man has for the woman, thanking her for being his friend and shining a light on his life. He acknowledges that he needs her and cannot imagine a life without her. The final verse is a repetition of the first, with the man emphasizing how he never looked back after meeting her, and how he has it all because of her.
Overall, "I Love You" is a love song that celebrates the power of a meaningful relationship that provides support, guidance, and love. The song's lyrics are descriptive and evoke vivid images, which make it easy for listeners to connect to the story and the emotions behind it.
Line by Line Meaning
When I was a younger man I hadn't a care
In my youth, I had no concerns or worries
Foolin' around, hitting the town, growing my hair
I was having fun, going out and letting my hair grow
You came along and stole my heart when you entered my life
You captured my heart when you came into my life
Ooh babe you got what it takes so I made you my wife
You possess the qualities I was seeking, so I married you
Since then I never looked back
I have never regretted my decision
It's almost like living a dream
My life feels like a dream come true
You came along from far away and found me here
You came from a distant place and discovered me here
I was playin' around, feeling down, hittin' the beer
I was joking around, feeling low, and drinking beer
You picked me up from off the floor and gave me a smile
You helped me up and gave me a smile
I said you're much too young, Your life ain't begun, let's walk for awhile
I told you that you were too young and had yet to experience life, so let's take a walk
And as my head was spinnin' 'round, I gazed into your eyes
As I was feeling dizzy, I stared into your eyes
And thought ooh I want you
And I realized I wanted you
Thank you babe for being a friend
Thank you for being a friend, my dear
And shinin' your light on my life
For brightening my life with your presence
'Cause ooh I need you
Because I truly rely on you
As my head was comin' round, I gazed into your eyes and thought ooh I want you
As I was beginning to feel better, I looked into your eyes and realized I wanted you
Thanks again for being my friend
Thank you once more for being a friend
And straightening out my life
For setting my life on the right track
Ooh I need you
I truly cannot live without you
Ooh I got you
I have you and I am thankful for that
If ever a man had it all, It would have to be me
If anyone had everything, it would undoubtedly be me
And ooh I love you
And I love you dearly
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mitch 5
Back in the 90 's my Z28 wouldn't even start unless "The Great Radio Controversy " was in the deck, those old days just wouldn't have been as killer without Tesla , the American rock band that represented American rock you can be proud of forever ... thank you guys
David Helton
Great fuckin band
Empire State Construction LLC
Amen bro .I'll be 52 end of January. Tesla is an all time fave . Ratt Dokken .Slaughter ...so many great bands and music but this song is done magically
The Bandit
I had a 1981 trans am and Tesla was in it. I cant believe I still have this car and still can do this
Johnny Bravo
Such a great great band!!!🎸🇺🇲
Brandy Johnson
That's hysterical 🤣
Rhonda Estep
My husband handed me a cd of this song right before we got married. We struggled a lot with our feelings and this song was perfect. I loved it too when I was much younger. Still brings a tear to my eyes. He passed away last year. This song epitomized our relationship. Never take anyone for granted. Give to them and love them with all your heart. You never know it could all be taken away without warning. Thank you Jeff and the band for bringing back an amazing song ❤
Clayton b Howe
My wife of 30 years died September 9th we were married Feb 22 1992 I've been dying inside ever since this song kills me i wish i could of shared it with her before her passing we loved music Stevie ray Vaughan life with out you was one of our favorites
tim grady
the most beautiful song ive ever heard
smghd27i
🙏❤️