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.
Other Than Me
Tesla Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just how I really feel about you
Seems every time I try to speak my mind
I don’t know why words are impossible to find
All those nights I stood by your side
While you cried for someone else
When it rains you run for cover
It’s such a shame that when you need a lover
It’s someone other than me
I’m always there to catch you when you fall
No matter when or where
I’d do anything at all
Your eyes don’t see what I’m picturing
Just you and me sharing love together
I will try till the day that I die
No, I won’t give up until you see
I keep holding on believing
You’ll follow where your heart is leading
And see the one you’ve always needed
Has been right here all along
The song Other Than Me by Tesla is a heartfelt ballad about unrequited love. The lyrics convey the singer's frustration and heartbreak as he navigates his unrequited feelings for the person he cares deeply about, who seems to be oblivious to his emotions. He laments that despite being there for her through her tough times and offering her love, she always turns to someone else when she needs a lover.
The singer is aware of his love and the depth of his feelings for her, but sadly she is unaware of his true emotions. He explains that he has always been there for her when she needed a shoulder to lean on, but she never saw him as a potential romantic partner. The song is bittersweet as he holds on to hope that she will eventually see how much he loves her and that he is the one she needs all along.
The chorus of the song is especially poignant as the singer sings about how he always provides comfort and support to the person he loves but is never the one she chooses to be with. Despite his pain and disappointment, he still holds on to the hope that she will realize that he is the one for her and that his love will eventually be reciprocated.
Line by Line Meaning
You know I care but you’re unaware
I have feelings for you, but it seems like you don't realize it
Just how I really feel about you
I have strong romantic feelings for you
Seems every time I try to speak my mind
Every time I try to express my feelings to you
I don’t know why words are impossible to find
I struggle to find the right words to express myself
All those nights I stood by your side
I've been there for you through difficult times
While you cried for someone else
Even though you were upset about another person, I was still there for you
When it rains you run for cover
When things get tough, you turn to me for emotional support
Cuz’ you find me so comforting
You find me comforting when you need someone to lean on
It’s such a shame that when you need a lover
Unfortunately, when it comes to romantic relationships, you have been seeking someone else
It’s someone other than me
You have been pursuing someone else besides me
I’m always there to catch you when you fall
I will always be there for you when you need me
No matter when or where
I will be there for you at any time and any place
I’d do anything at all
I am willing to do anything for you
Your eyes don’t see what I’m picturing
You are not seeing the romantic future that I envision for us
Just you and me sharing love together
I can picture us having a loving and romantic relationship together
I will try till the day that I die
I will continue to pursue you until the end of my life
No, I won’t give up until you see
I will not stop trying until you realize my true feelings for you
I keep holding on believing
I continue to believe that one day you will realize your feelings for me
You’ll follow where your heart is leading
I believe that you will eventually follow your heart and see that I am the right person for you
And see the one you’ve always needed
I believe that you will finally see that the person you have been searching for all along has been me
Has been right here all along
I have been here waiting for you the entire time
Contributed by Michael L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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!!!!!