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.
Lodi
Tesla Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Seekin' my fame and fortune, I'm lookin' for a pot of gold
Things got bad and things got worse, I guess you know the tune
Oh Lord, I'm stuck in Lodi again
I boarded on the Greyhound, and I'm walkin' there, by the road
I was just passin' through, it must be seven months or more
I ran out of time and money, it looks like the two were friends
Oh Lord, I'm stuck in Lodi again
Man from a magazine, who said I was on my way
But somewhere I lost connection, I ran out of songs to play
I planned many times of one-night stands, it looks like my plans fell through
Oh Lord, I'm stuck in Lodi again
If I had a million dollars for every song I've sung
Or every time I had to play while people slapped their tongue
I know I'll catch the next train, back to where I live
Oh Lord, I'm stuck in Lodi again
Oh Lord, I'm stuck in Lodi again
There we go, get ready!
The lyrics of Tesla's song Lodi revolves around a musician's journey towards fame and fortune, highlighting the ever-present possibility of failure and uncertainty associated with it. The song begins with the singer reminiscing about his journey that started about a year ago, with him setting out to find fame and fortune. However, things soon turn sour for him with a clear indication of him being stuck in Lodi, which represents the lack of success and the failure of his dreams.
The verse tells us of the singer boarding a Greyhound bus and walking down the road, which depicts his desolation, and the sense of being lost and directionless. The following line implies that he had been in Lodi for an extended period - at least seven months - which has depleted his funds and resources, leaving him with no choices. The solo in the middle further emphasizes the despair and sadness inherent in the singer's situation.
The third verse mentions the musician's interaction with a magazine-man, which raises the hopes of the singer temporarily but ultimately falls apart, leaving the singer dejected and with no new songs to play. The following line, "I planned many times of one-night stands, it looks like my plans fell through," hints towards the singer's desire for short-lived success and fame but again, his failure to achieve it. The concluding lines of the song express the singer's resolution to continue his fight and catch the next train back to his life, but it ultimately falls flat, and he is back in Lodi again.
Line by Line Meaning
Just about a year ago, I set out on the road
Nearly a year ago, I started my journey
Seekin' my fame and fortune, I'm lookin' for a pot of gold
I left home to become rich and famous
Things got bad and things got worse, I guess you know the tune
My luck took a turn for the worse and things kept getting worse
Oh Lord, I'm stuck in Lodi again
I am currently stranded in Lodi, and I feel helpless
I boarded on the Greyhound, and I'm walkin' there, by the road
I got on a Greyhound bus, but now I'm walking on the side of the road
I was just passin' through, it must be seven months or more
I thought I was just passing through Lodi, but it's been over seven months
I ran out of time and money, it looks like the two were friends
I am broke and out of time, which seem to be working together against me
Man from a magazine, who said I was on my way
Someone from a magazine told me I was destined for success
But somewhere I lost connection, I ran out of songs to play
I lost my way and I don't have any more songs to perform
I planned many times of one-night stands, it looks like my plans fell through
I had many plans for one-night performances, but they never worked out
If I had a million dollars for every song I've sung
If I were paid a dollar for every song I sang
Or every time I had to play while people slapped their tongue
Or every time I had to perform while people were rude and disrespectful
I know I'll catch the next train, back to where I live
I'm determined to catch the next train back home
Oh Lord, I'm stuck in Lodi again
I'm still stuck in Lodi and it's frustrating
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
KIMBERLYBRAT j
Love tesla amazing voice !! 35+ yrs and he still sounds perfect .anyone else still listening out there
Kentucky Bluegrass
Yep
Jim D
Absolutely! Haven't stopped since 86!
Min Choon Len
This is an excellent rendition of the CCR classic. Nice job, guys.
Eric Ochoa
Love this version of the song :)
Diane Broude
One of the GREATEST BANDS that's been there through my life. These guys been KICKING ASS for over 35 years!! LONG LIVE ROCK AND ROLL!!!
Diane Broude
@Pablo Pérez got that right!
Pablo Pérez
Long live songwriters like John
nayture11
Tesla Rocks I really this band. Great vocals too.
Mario Zott
Childhood memories. Goosebumps...