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.
Rock Bottom
Tesla Lyrics
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Twenty one, a long one you can see the numbers run
Now you look so peaceful, lyin' there asleep
With the wings of God above you, before the spirits meet
Rock bottom, rock bottom, rock bottom
Rock bottom, rock bottom, rock bottom
Lucifer goes walkin' down free to meet
Minutes pass so slowly by the hands on your clock
Heavens door don't open when you knock
Rock bottom, rock bottom, rock bottom
Rock bottom, rock bottom, rock bottom
With all darkness closin' in, will the light reveal your soul?
'Cause one sweet kiss on your clay cold lips
I'll know sleep you'll never know
Where do we go, where do we go, where do we go from here?
Where do we go?
The song "Rock Bottom" by Tesla is a haunting and emotional ballad featuring deep lyrics that delve into the themes of life, death, and the afterlife. The opening lines set the stage by referring to a young woman who has passed away, described as a "nature's queen." The song then goes on to describe her age at the time of her death, which was twenty-one years old. The lyrics poetically describe her peaceful appearance in death, surrounded by the "wings of God," and awaiting the arrival of her spirit.
The chorus of the song repeats the line "Rock bottom," which speaks to the idea that death is the ultimate rock bottom, the lowest point. The lyrics describe the darkness that seems to surround the dying woman, with "shadow works" closing in and the devil himself walking freely. As the minutes pass, the sense of impending doom grows stronger, and the doors of heaven do not seem to open for the young woman. The song ends on a poignant question, asking where we go after death, and what happens to our souls.
Overall, "Rock Bottom" is a powerful song that touches on deep themes of mortality and the spiritual journey. The melancholy tone of the music and the soulful delivery of the lyrics make this a standout track in Tesla's discography.
Line by Line Meaning
Seventeen a nature's queen, you'll know what I mean
At the age of seventeen, when one is in the prime of their youth, there is a certain beauty and grace that they possess - a reflection of nature itself.
Twenty one, a long one you can see the numbers run
At the age of twenty-one, life seems long ahead and one can see the years unfold, waiting to be lived and experienced.
Now you look so peaceful, lyin' there asleep
The deceased looks peaceful in their eternal sleep, free from the pain and the turmoil of the world.
With the wings of God above you, before the spirits meet
The departed soul is embraced by the wings of God, as they transcend to the afterlife, to join the other spirits.
Rock bottom, rock bottom, rock bottom
The repetition of rock bottom denotes an impending feeling of despair and hopelessness.
And shadow works is closin' in above lamps in your street
The darkness and sorrows of life are descending upon the individual, as their life comes to a close.
Lucifer goes walkin' down free to meet
As the devil comes to take the soul of the deceased, he does so freely, without any hindrance or resistance.
Minutes pass so slowly by the hands on your clock
The ticking of the clock feels torturous, as one waits for death to arrive, making time feel unbearably slow.
Heavens door don't open when you knock
The deceased is unable to enter the gates of heaven, despite their attempts to knock on the door - a sign of the bleak fate that awaits them.
With all darkness closin' in, will the light reveal your soul?
At the moment of death, one wonders if their soul will be revealed, in the midst of the all-consuming darkness.
'Cause one sweet kiss on your clay cold lips, I'll know sleep you'll never know
After death, one will be in a state of eternal slumber, a sleep that is peaceful, but not attainable by the living.
Where do we go, where do we go, where do we go from here?
The repetition of this line suggests the uncertainty and confusion one feels about life and death - where do we go after we leave this world?
Lyrics © DELLA BLUE MUSIC LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Michael Schenker, Phillip John Mogg
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!!!!!