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.
Look @ Me
Tesla Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well I'd never break your heart, now tell me would you break mine
Re-wind and clean the slate, wipe away the hard times
Well I never did forsake you, and I never would
I got away from the common ground, just because I could
There was a shadow, following me around
Somehow I lost my way, that was then, take a look at me now
Chorus
For everything in life, there is a reason
Sometimes the reason I do, make it not so good
Verse 2
Seems like all that time away took me one step closer to my suicide
Spun around like I jus got played, all caught with the users and the crucified
A shining example of what you never wana be
The fame of teachers drowning in a wishing well
With no apology
Me and my shadow, no-body else around, somehow I lost my way, that was then take a look at me now
Chorus
Short Verse
Feels like the time is right for getting back to even
You are the reason I do, ain't that enough for you!
Chorus
Short Verse
Feels like the time is right for getting back to even
You are the reason I do, ain't that enough for you
Ain't that enough for you
You are the reason I do
Ain't that enough for you
Ahhhh, take a look at me now
The lyrics in Tesla's song "Look @ Me" tell a story of reflection and redemption. The first verse invites the listener to consider the loyalty and commitment in a relationship - the singer promises never to break the listener's heart and claims to have never forsaken them. However, they acknowledge that they have gone astray in the past, escaping the ordinary and losing their way. In the chorus, the singer reflects on the idea that everything happens for a reason, and sometimes that reason may lead to negative consequences.
The second verse builds upon the themes of the first. The lyrics describe feeling like they have been brought closer to their own self-destruction during their time away, being taken for granted by others and crucified by those around them. They admit to being a negative example, with former teachers drowning in a wishing well of fame and no apology. The images of loneliness and being lost are repeated in the lyrics, highlighting the singer's isolation in their darkest moments.
The shorter verses that appear twice in the song offer a glimmer of hope, however. The singer suggests that it is time to make amends and get back to even, adding that the listener is the reason they do - implying that they are motivated to make things right by their love for this person. The final lines call out for the listener to "take a look at me now", perhaps indicating that the singer has undergone a transformation and wants the listener to see how they have changed. Overall, "Look @ Me" presents a journey from darkness to light, from lost to found, and a determination to do better in the future.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I'd never break your heart, now tell me would you break mine
I promise to never hurt you, will you do the same for me?
Re-wind and clean the slate, wipe away the hard times
Let's start fresh and forget about the past.
Well I never did forsake you, and I never would
I never abandoned you and I never will.
I got away from the common ground, just because I could
I left what was familiar because I wanted something more.
There was a shadow, following me around
I had a dark cloud above me.
Somehow I lost my way, that was then, take a look at me now
I went through a rough patch, but now I'm better than ever.
For everything in life, there is a reason
Everything happens for a purpose.
Sometimes the reason I do, make it not so good
But the reasons behind my actions don't always lead to good outcomes.
Seems like all that time away took me one step closer to my suicide
Being away from everything pushed me towards dangerous thoughts.
Spun around like I jus got played, all caught with the users and the crucified
I feel manipulated and trapped by those who don't have my best interest at heart.
A shining example of what you never wana be
I'm not proud of my past actions.
The fame of teachers drowning in a wishing well
People who should be respected and admired are being brought down.
Me and my shadow, no-body else around, somehow I lost my way, that was then take a look at me now
I was alone and lost, but now I'm in a better place.
Feels like the time is right for getting back to even
It's time to make things right and be on equal footing.
You are the reason I do, ain't that enough for you!
I do everything for you, isn't that sufficient?
Ain't that enough for you
Isn't my dedication to you enough?
You are the reason I do
My motivation comes from you.
Ahhhh, take a look at me now
Look how far I've come.
Lyrics Β© Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BRIAN WHEAT, FRANK HANNON, JEFFREY KEITH, ROGER SOMMERS, TOM SKEOCH
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!!!!!