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.
Just in Case
Tesla Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Always try to do my part
But now it's raining in my heart
There's just so much I could do
It's nearly got a hold of me
It's why I feel so incomplete
A lost and broken man
Only I would understand
Only I could pray
I know what I would say
To whom it may concern
[Chorus]
Just in case I don't make it to heaven
I'd like to personally thank you for giving
Something so beautiful makes life worth living yeah
Thank you just in case I
I'm trying once again
Every time I try to talk to
It's like I never seem to get through
I never have the strength, never put my faith in you
Maybe I should just realize
I don't deserve you in my life
They say it's in your hands
Everything's just like you planned
It's good enough for them, so why not me
Only I could pray
I know what I would say
Dear god I'm talking to ya
[Chorus]
Soon enough my time will come the hours getting late
The sun is setting fast and you'll be standing by the gate
I'm sure you're going to say to me son why couldn't you just relate
I said to tell you the truth I already do in so many other ways
[Chorus: x2]
I don't make it
The song "Just in Case" by Tesla is a powerful ballad about a lost and broken man who is struggling to find his way in life. The lyrics speak to the singer's internal struggles and the complicated relationship he has with his faith. The opening lines set the scene with "Outside the sky is blue. Always try to do my part. But now it's raining in my heart. There's just so much I could do." These words articulately express the melancholic state of the singer and the sense of hopelessness that he feels. He knows that he is doing his best to put one foot in front of the other, but the rain has come to symbolize the overwhelming feelings that he can't shake.
The singer goes on to reveal that he feels incomplete, and he recognizes that only he could truly understand his pain. He wants to join in with others who are trying to make the world a better place, but he feels like he is held back by his own personal demons. The chorus of the song takes a turn and speaks to the idea of the afterlife. The singer contemplates the possibility that he might not make it to heaven and expresses his gratitude for the beautiful things he's experienced in life with the line "Thank you just in case I don't make it." The song ends with the realization that time is running out and the singer needs to find a way to connect with his spiritual side before it's too late.
Line by Line Meaning
Outside the sky is blue
The world seems fine and everything appears to be alright on the surface.
Always try to do my part
I make an effort to contribute where I can and do what I believe is right.
But now it's raining in my heart
Despite my best efforts, I feel sad and unhappy on the inside.
There's just so much I could do
I feel limited in my abilities and what I can accomplish.
It's nearly got a hold of me
These negative feelings are beginning to consume me and hold me back.
It's why I feel so incomplete
Because of this emotional burden, I don't feel whole or complete as a person.
A lost and broken man
I feel like I've lost my way and am broken as a result of my struggles.
Only I would understand
I'm the only one who can truly comprehend the complexity of my emotions and the extent of my pain.
I'd be more than glad to join right in
Despite my difficulties, I'm willing to participate and contribute where I can.
Only I could pray
I'm the only one who can decide whether or not to turn to prayer for comfort and guidance.
I know what I would say
If I did choose to pray, I already have an idea of what I would ask for or say.
To whom it may concern
This prayer would be directed towards whoever is listening or could potentially help me.
[Chorus] Just in case I don't make it to heaven, I'd like to personally thank you for giving, Something so beautiful makes life worth living yeah, Thank you just in case I
I don't know what will happen in the end, but I'd like to take the opportunity to express gratitude for the good things in my life - just in case I don't have the chance to do so later.
I'm trying once again
Despite my past failures or shortcomings, I'm attempting to make an effort once more.
Every time I try to talk to, It's like I never seem to get through
Even when I attempt to communicate with others or seek help, I feel like nobody understands or listens to me.
I never have the strength, never put my faith in you
I don't feel like I have the strength or confidence to turn to a higher power for help, despite knowing it's an option.
Maybe I should just realize, I don't deserve you in my life
Perhaps I'm not worthy of receiving help or support from a higher power or other individuals.
They say it's in your hands, Everything's just like you planned
Some people believe that everything that happens in life is part of a larger plan set in motion by a higher power.
It's good enough for them, so why not me
While others might find comfort in this belief, it doesn't necessarily resonate with me or provide me with the answers I need.
Only I could pray, I know what I would say, Dear god I'm talking to ya
Ultimately, the decision to pray or seek guidance from a higher power is up to me, and I know what I might ask for or say if I did so.
[Chorus] Soon enough my time will come the hours getting late, The sun is setting fast and you'll be standing by the gate, I'm sure you're going to say to me son why couldn't you just relate, I said to tell you the truth I already do in so many other ways
As time passes and I near the end of my life, I imagine being questioned about my experiences and whether or not I tried to relate to others or find help. I believe that I do try to relate to others or find comfort, just perhaps not in the same way as others might expect.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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!!!!!