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.
Stir It Up
Tesla Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah, they all want it fo free.
These days, now nothin' cost ya somethin'.
No tellin' what it could be.
Never happen if ya never try.
All the nights awake and the tears we've cried
Could fill the seven seas.
We got to give ourselves, got to give ourselves a hand.
And if we feel it's all a mess, yeah, yeah,
Why don't we try a little, try a little lve 'n' tenderness.
If we got more than comes around, yeah, yeah,
Why don't we care a little, share a little.
Sure to come back around. Guitar!
Lately everybody's thinkin'
Me, my, only I thinkin' for me.
Here lately, everbody's talkin', baby.
But we all know that talk is cheap.
We can make it happen if we make a try.
All the nights awake and the tears we've cried
Could fill the seven seas.
So, c'mon, ev'rybody, c'mon, ev'rybody,
We gotta give ourselves, gotta give ourselves a hand, yeah.
And before it falls apart, yeah, yeah,
Why don't we live a little, give a little, straight from the heart.
And if this old world gets ya down, yeah, yeah,
You gotta pick it up and toss it in the air, kick it all around. Kick it!
I don't even know how I wanna say, but I know what I wanna say.
Do you know where I'm comin' from?
As the bass plays on, and still the guitars strum,
While the Colonel beats the drum, so the whole band plays along,
And the whole world sings a song, yeah,
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
And before it falls apart, yeah, yeah,
Live a little, give a little, straight from the heart.
If this whole world gets ya down, yeah, yeah,
You gotta pick it up and toss it in the air. Kick it all around.
And if you don't like the way the music plays, the way it sounds,
Hop back in the kitchen, change it all around.
Stir it up, baby. Stir it up, baby, stir it up,
Stir it up, stir it up, stir it up,
Stir it up now, stir it up, baby.
Stir it up, baby, stir it up, baby, stir it up,
Stir it up, stir it up, stir it up, stir it up,
Stir it up now, stir it up, baby. And you know:
Nobody gets somethin' for nothin'.
Nobody's gettin' it for free. [Spoken:] But you know
These days now nothin' costs ya somethin', baby.
And-a there ain't no tellin what it could be.
So stir it up, baby, stir it up, baby.
Stir it up, baby, stir it up, baby.
Stir, stir it up, baby, stir it up, baby.
Oh, you be you and I'll be me, and the world will be free.
In “Stir It Up,” Tesla cautions against seeking something for nothing. He states that everybody wants something for free these days but they don't realize that nothing costs something. He further advises that we need to try first before giving up, even when times get tough. The band sings about the power of love and tenderness to handle difficult situations. He encourages people not to give up, but to keep going with persistence and determination. In the end, Tesla explains that everybody will be free if everyone is true to themselves.
Tesla's lyrics in “Stir It Up” call for a little more compassion because the world can be a challenging place. The lyrics suggest that we need to be more open-minded and willing to share what we have rather than keeping it to ourselves. The song implies that some of the world's problems can be solved if people just open their hearts and show a little kindness. In the opening verses, Tesla implies that people are too self-focused these days and thinking about their personal gains. He suggests that it's time for all of us to come together and start thinking of others.
Line by Line Meaning
Everybody wants somethin' for nothin'.
Everyone wants to get something without putting in any effort.
Yeah, they all want it fo free.
Yeah, they all want to get it for free.
These days, now nothin' cost ya somethin'.
These days, even if it appears to be free, there may be a cost to pay.
No tellin' what it could be.
You never know what the cost could be.
Never happen if ya never try.
If you never try, you will never be able to achieve your goal.
All the nights awake and the tears we've cried
Could fill the seven seas.
We have been through tough times and shed many tears.
So, c'mon, ev'rybody, c'mon, ev'rybody,
We got to give ourselves, got to give ourselves a hand.
Let's applaud ourselves and make an effort to move forward.
And if we feel it's all a mess, yeah, yeah,
Why don't we try a little, try a little lve 'n' tenderness.
If things seem to be falling apart, let's try to show a little kindness.
If we got more than comes around, yeah, yeah,
Why don't we care a little, share a little.
Sure to come back around. Guitar!
If we are blessed with more than we need, we should care for others by sharing and giving.
Lately everybody's thinkin'
Lately, it seems like everyone is only thinking about themselves.
Me, my, only I thinkin' for me.
People only seem to care about themselves.
Here lately, everbody's talkin', baby.
Recently, everyone is all talk and no action.
But we all know that talk is cheap.
Talking about something is easy, but making it happen is hard work.
We can make it happen if we make a try.
We can achieve our goals if we make an effort.
And before it falls apart, yeah, yeah,
Why don't we live a little, give a little, straight from the heart.
Before everything falls apart, let's try to live a little, give a little, and be genuine.
And if this old world gets ya down, yeah, yeah,
You gotta pick it up and toss it in the air, kick it all around. Kick it!
If the world gets you down, you need to find a way to shake it off and keep pushing through.
I don't even know how I wanna say, but I know what I wanna say.
I'm not quite sure how to express it, but I know what's on my mind.
Do you know where I'm comin' from?
Do you understand my perspective?
As the bass plays on, and still the guitars strum,
While the Colonel beats the drum, so the whole band plays along,
And the whole world sings a song, yeah,
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
As the band plays their instruments, everyone around the world joins in, singing together.
Live a little, give a little, straight from the heart.
Live your life with enthusiasm, give generously, and be genuine.
If you don't like the way the music plays, the way it sounds,
Hop back in the kitchen, change it all around.
If you don't like the way things are going, take action to change it.
Stir it up, baby. Stir it up, baby, stir it up,
Stir it up, stir it up, stir it up,
Stir it up now, stir it up, baby.
Get moving, stirring things up and bringing positive changes.
Oh, you be you and I'll be me, and the world will be free.
Let's be true to ourselves and create a world where everyone is free to be themselves.
Nobody gets somethin' for nothin'.
No one gets something for nothing.
Nobody's gettin' it for free. [Spoken:] But you know
These days now nothin' costs ya somethin', baby.
And-a there ain't no tellin what it could be.
Nothing is truly free, and there can be a cost to everything.
Stir it up, baby, stir it up, baby, stir it up,
Stir it up, stir it up, stir it up, stir it up,
Stir it up now, stir it up, baby.
Keep moving and stirring things up to make positive changes.
And you know:
You are aware of what's coming next.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JEFF KEITH, TOM SKEOCH, TOMMY SKEOCH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@nicolasmedina8104
Psychotic Supper is one of those few albums i can entirely listen to without skipping a song
@peterz22thomas5
So good.
@EmceeSheilaShe
Tesla should have gotten the commercial success Aerosmith has. I love Aerosmith but I believe Tesla is on the same level and deserves the same recognition.
@shineon3352
I agree
It's the magic in the lyrics Aerosmith Steven is genius with his wording and Jeff words he sings are real and life. Some songs I am amazed and blown away with some of his analogies but totally make sense. Rubber band is a good example for that
@MrTacotuesday
Absolutely! My favorite band!
@songman7560
I love your comment I think Tesla is best band of all time that's my opinion they are so wonderful, way better than Aerosmith actually all of Tesla's songs are a big hit for me. They are my absolute favorite band
@songman7560
Tesla is the best band EVER!!
@antimurphy8212
I definitely agree. Unfairly they got grouped into the "hair band" bullshit, yet to me they're a true blue collar America rock and roll band!
@bastetsha
why must we be so sad when there is the good Lord and such beautiful music like this to hear? Such a blessed group of guys
@monzitj1
This song makes me cry. But in positive way. Thank you, Tesla.