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.
Words Can't Explain
Tesla Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Soon after, I would learn, only never to return
Feeling life was through, like it was 'til you
Saved me before I drowned, put me up on drier ground
And I meant what I said, when I told you
I'll never love like this again, I want to hold you
In my arms, wrap my legs, around your pretty self
How I feel about everything, I'll never let you down
And you better believe, you can count on me
I couldn't ask for a better fiend, I'll never love like this again, oh no
This love is real, so much I feel it
So deep inside, as though our hearts were synchronized
Now, since you came, and colored up my life
I'll never make it, in black and white
All pales, or shades of grey
You come around, they go away
And I meant every word I said, when I told you
I'll never love like this again, I want to show you
You're in my heart, you're in my soul, you're all I want to know
If only words could explain, I'd surely tell you now
How I feel about everything, I'll never let you down
And you better believe, you can count on me
What does it really mean, I've never known for sure
Don't know what to believe, only know what I'm feeling
I'm going to a place, I've never been before
I just can't help myself, can't help what I'm feeling
If only words could explain, If only words could explain
If only words could explain, If only words could explain
Maybe how I feel
The lyrics of the song Words Can't Explain by Tesla explore the theme of love and how it can save a person from drowning in their own misery. The song begins with the singer reminiscing about a lost love who walked away and left him feeling like life was over. But then he meets someone new who rescues him and helps him see that life can be worth living again. The singer expresses his gratitude and admiration for this person and vows never to love like this again because he wants to hold her in his arms forever.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the idea that words cannot fully explain the depth of the singer's emotions. He wishes he could express how he feels about everything and promises to never let his newfound love down. The bridge of the song takes a more introspective turn as the singer reflects on his uncertainty about the future and the overwhelming nature of his feelings.
Overall, the lyrics of the song are about the power of love to heal, inspire, and transform a person's life. It is a celebration of the beauty and mystery of human emotions and the way they can bring people together in profound ways.
Line by Line Meaning
Once upon a day, love walked away
At some point in the past, love left me behind
Soon after, I would learn, only never to return
I realized that love wasn't coming back to me
Feeling life was through, like it was 'til you
I thought my life was over until you came into it
Saved me before I drowned, put me up on drier ground
You rescued me from a bad situation and gave me hope again
And I meant what I said, when I told you
I was sincere when I said
I'll never love like this again, I want to hold you
I'll never feel this type of love again, and I want to keep you close
In my arms, wrap my legs, around your pretty self
I want to physically embrace you and keep you close to me
If only words could explain, I'd surely tell you now
I wish I could express myself better and tell you how I really feel
How I feel about everything, I'll never let you down
I want you to know how deep my feelings for you are, and I promise I won't disappoint you
And you better believe, you can count on me
I want you to trust me and know that I will always be there for you
This love is real, so much I feel it
My love for you is genuine and intense
So deep inside, as though our hearts were synchronized
Our love is so strong that it feels like our hearts are beating as one
Now, since you came, and colored up my life
You've added vibrancy and joy to my life since you came into it
I'll never make it, in black and white
My life wouldn't be complete without you in it
All pales, or shades of grey
Life without you is dull and unfulfilling
You come around, they go away
When you're here, all of my troubles disappear
I want to show you, you're in my heart, you're in my soul, you're all I want to know
I want to prove to you how important you are to me and that I want you to be a permanent part of my life
What does it really mean, I've never known for sure
I've never been completely sure about what love really means
Don't know what to believe, only know what I'm feeling
I'm not sure what to make of my emotions, but I know they're strong and real
I'm going to a place, I've never been before
This love has taken me to a new emotional space that I've never experienced before
I just can't help myself, can't help what I'm feeling
I can't control or deny the intensity of my feelings for you
If only words could explain, If only words could explain
I continue to struggle to put my emotions into words
Maybe how I feel
Perhaps the only thing I can say is that my feelings for you are overwhelming and difficult to express
Lyrics © Round Hill Music Big Loud Songs
Written by: FRANK HANNON, JEFFREY KEITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Emily Rugburn
This is what makes Tesla the band they have become for so many years now... such depth in their music and a feeling that is so real that you crave to have the same experience... Rock and Roll baby...
GHFETT
Tesla is awesome!!! I got a lot of inspiration from them. If you like Tesla, you might like some of my original songs on my YouTube channel.
Billy Cain
Love tesla
Rebecca Hall
Genius!
Bob Walters
The Original "Modern Day Cowboys"!!