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.
i ain't superstitious
Tesla Lyrics
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Well, I ain't superstitious, oh, the black cat just cross my trail
Don't sweep me with no broom, I might get put in jail
When my right hand itches, I gets money for sure
When my right hand itches, I gets money for sure
But when my left eye jump, somebody got to go
Well, I ain't superstitious, black cat just cross my trail
Don't sweep me with no broom, I just might get put in jail
Well, the dogs are howlin' all over the neighborhood
Whoa, the dogs are howlin' all over the neighborhood
That is true sign of death, baby, that ain't no good
Well, I'm not superstitious, but that black cat across my trail
Well, I'm not superstitious, a black cat across my trail
Don't sweep me with no broom, I just might get put in jail
Bad luck for me
This is bad luck for me
The lyrics of Tesla's "I Ain't Superstitious" are centered around the idea of superstitions and omens. The singer of the song asserts that he is not superstitious despite having witnessed a black cat cross his path, a classic bad omen. He warns against being swept with a broom, a practice believed in certain superstitious cultures to sweep away good luck. The lyrics continue on to suggest that the singer has certain superstitions which he might follow. For example, whenever his right hand itches, he knows that there is money coming his way. On the other hand, if his left eye jumps, it means that someone close to him might die.
The singer also references the howling of dogs in the neighborhood as another ominous sign of death. Throughout the song, despite claiming not to be superstitious, the singer seems to have certain beliefs about what these omens and superstitions could mean. He recognizes the bad luck that is crossing his path but makes light of the situation by stating that he has nothing to fear.
The lyrics of "I Ain't Superstitious" are somewhat ambiguous, and the meaning behind the song is open to interpretation. One possible interpretation is that the singer is attempting to appear tough and fearless by defying superstitions, even though he secretly believes in them. Another interpretation is that the singer recognizes the power of superstitions, yet he refuses to let them control his life.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I ain't superstitious, black cat just cross my trail
Despite the superstitions surrounding a black cat crossing one's path, I do not believe in them.
Don't sweep me with no broom, I might get put in jail
There is a belief that sweeping someone with a broom can bring bad luck, and I fear being punished unjustly for an unrelated crime due to this superstition.
When my right hand itches, I gets money for sure
There is a belief that a person can expect financial gain if their right hand itches, and I have found this to be true.
But when my left eye jump, somebody got to go
A twitch in the left eye is believed to signify impending conflict or the departure of someone from the person's life.
Well, the dogs are howlin' all over the neighborhood
The howling of dogs is seen as a sign of death and misfortune.
That is true sign of death, baby, that ain't no good
The howling of dogs is a negative omen that suggests something unpleasant is near.
Well, I'm not superstitious, but that black cat across my trail
Although I do not believe in superstitions, the occurrence of a black cat crossing my path has caught my attention.
Bad luck for me
I fear that this encounter with the black cat may bring me bad luck.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Willie Dixon
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!!!!!