The band began in 1978 in the North-Wales town of Rhyl, under the name of 'Seventeen'. Its 4 members were Mike Peters, Dave Sharp, Eddie Macdonald and Nigel Twist. They knocked around the music scene for a while with little success and reformed as 'Alarm Alarm' (taken from one of Seventeen's songs) in 1981. Then revered BBC DJ John Peel compared them to Duran Duran and Talk Talk and they quickly changed their name to 'The Alarm'. With the change of their name, came a change of location. The Alarm moved to London and shared a small flat in the city to save money for their first single, 'Unsafe Building' b/w 'Up For Murder'. They came to the attention of U2 in '82 and toured with them as their support band (they frequently reprised that role). In 1983, 'Sixty-Eight Guns' was released. It became their biggest hit, propelling them to #17 in the charts, and they appeared on Top of The Pops for the first and last time. Throughout the decade, the band made more albums, including 'Strength' and 'Eye of the Hurricane'; but by the late 80's The Alarm had begun to drift apart, with Dave Sharp feeling isolated and left out of the song writing process. The relationships within the band were deteriorating. Their last album, 'Raw', was fragmented and the group were breaking apart. On June 30th 1991 at the Brixton Academy, Mike Peters announced on stage that he was leaving 'The Alarm' without telling the rest of the band. And thus The Alarm ended.
The Alarm can lay claim to a series of 15 Top 50 UK singles, including their classic hits, "68 GUNS", "SPIRIT OF 76", "RAIN IN THE SUMMERTIME", "STRENGTH" "45 RPM" and of course "THE STAND".
Ten successful albums and over 5 million sales worldwide, The Alarm's pioneering use of acoustic guitars brought the band into direct contact with the likes of Bob Dylan, Neil Young and U2, all whom have appeared and sung on stage with The Alarm.
Both Mike Peters and Dave Sharp embarked on solo careers with Peters again fronting the second generation of The Alarm with James Stevenson (Gene Loves Jezebel, Chelsea), Craig Adams (Sisters of Mercy, The Mission) and Steve Grantley (Stiff Little Fingers).
In 2004 The Alarm returned to the singles charts with 45RPM, the first single released from the bands album, "IN THE POPPYFIELDS".
The story of how the band released the single under a pseudonym, appearing to be a brand new musical act, complete with a group of 21 year olds appearing in the video for 45rpm to help complete the scam, became an international controversial news story and elevated the bands profile to new heights and a major motion picture based on the story is scheduled for production.
In late December 2005, singer Mike Peters revealed he has been diagnosed with a form of cancer called chronic lymphocytic leukemia, but it was diagnosed in its early stages and his prognosis is favourable. This came after he had been in remission from cancer previously that he had fought in the 1990s. Indeed the 1996 solo album Feel Free has a song titled "Regeneration" in which he discusses his diagnosis and subsequent alternative medicine that he believes help cure him.
In 2007 Mike launched the 'Love Hope Strength' foundation which sets to raise funds andand awareness in fighting cancer.
Most recently, in July 2008, The Alarm will be releasing their latest full length album "Guerilla Tactics" Mixed by Gilby Clarke ( Guns N' Roses) on 7 July 2008 and will embark on a U.S. tour this summer on the "Rockin' The Colonies" tour with The English Beat and The Fixx to be followed by The Guerilla Tactics UK Residency tour in 4 Major UK Cities in November 2008.
Mike peters and the band in various forms still meet and play on occasions at local venues. Mike has a strong following and working on his solo career and still is heavily involved in music
Happy Christmas
The Alarm Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Another year over, a new one just begun.
And so this is Christmas, I hope you have fun,
The near and the dear ones, the old and the young.
A very merry Christmas and a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one without any fears.
And so this is Christmas for weak and for strong,
The rich and the poor ones, the road is so long.
And so happy Christmas for black and for white
For the yellow and red ones let's stop all the fights.
A very merry Christmas and a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one without any fear.
And so this is Christmas and what have we done
Another year over, a new one just begun.
And so happy Christmas we hope you have fun
The near and the dear ones, the old and the young.
A very merry Christmas and a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one without any fear.
War is over if you want it, war is over now.
The song "Happy Christmas" by The Alarm is a rendition of the classic Christmas song originally written by John Lennon and Yoko Ono. The lyrics poetically encompass the feelings and significance of the holiday season. The song starts with reflecting and analyzing the past year, "So this is Christmas and what have you done, Another year over, a new one just begun". As the song progresses, the lyrics celebrate the joy of the holiday season, "And so this is Christmas, I hope you have fun, The near and the dear ones, the old and the young".
In a beautiful display of unity and hope, the lyrics extend a warm and inclusive holiday message to people of all backgrounds and social classes, "And so happy Christmas for black and for white, For the yellow and red ones let's stop all the fights." The song concludes with the powerful message of peace, "War is over if you want it, war is over now", emphasizing the importance of coming together and ending conflicts.
Overall, The Alarm's version of "Happy Christmas" truly captures the spirit and meaning of the holiday season, emphasizing the themes of reflection, unity, and peace.
Line by Line Meaning
So this is Christmas and what have you done,
The singer is acknowledging the holiday season and asking listeners to reflect on what they have accomplished throughout the year.
Another year over, a new one just begun.
The end of the year has arrived and a new one is beginning, leading to a moment of reflection and hope for the future.
And so this is Christmas, I hope you have fun,
The singer wants listeners to enjoy the holiday season with loved ones.
The near and the dear ones, the old and the young.
The singer is emphasizing the importance of spending time with family and friends during the holiday season, regardless of age.
A very merry Christmas and a happy New Year
The singer is extending holiday wishes of joy and happiness for both Christmas and the upcoming New Year.
Let's hope it's a good one without any fears.
The singer is wishing for a positive and peaceful year without any negative or scary events to occur.
And so this is Christmas for weak and for strong,
The holiday season encompasses everyone, regardless of their level of power or advantage.
The rich and the poor ones, the road is so long.
The path to happiness and success is a challenging one, regardless of economic status.
And so happy Christmas for black and for white
The holiday season is meant to bring joy and happiness to all races and ethnicities, regardless of their differences.
For the yellow and red ones let's stop all the fights.
The singer is advocating for peace and unity among all races and ethnicities.
And so this is Christmas and what have we done
The singer is including themselves in the question of what has been accomplished over the past year, as a way to reflect on their own actions.
And so happy Christmas we hope you have fun
The singer is wishing listeners a joyful holiday season.
The near and the dear one, the old and the young.
The importance of spending time with loved ones during the holiday season is emphasized once again.
A very merry Christmas and a happy New Year
The singer is extending holiday wishes of joy for Christmas and hope for the New Year.
Let's hope it's a good one without any fear.
The singer is once again wishing for a positive and peaceful year without any negativity or fear.
War is over if you want it, war is over now.
The singer is advocating for peace and suggesting that it can be achieved if people truly want it.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kitsnow5307
Really good version of Lennon's Happy Christmas song. One of the best I heard. Well done. Miss you, John.
@VillemarMxO
This is the best version, full stop. Masterpiece
@BlckDuck
This is a good song for this year. Lets hope the next year is better, "without any fear".
@jasoncarpp7742
Although I'm not familiar with The Alarm, I have heard their version of Happy X-mas (War Is Over). I think theirs is the best version I've ever heard. :)
@edsonaraujo6888
One of my fav bands playin' one of my fav song. Killer version. Miss ya Johnny.
@stevehughes5947
Johnny?
@trfesok
From the "Standards". Recorded with the same Welsh choir, I assumed that they used for "A New South Wales". I put this in my Xmas playlist with Lennon's original demo, the final version and other covers by Jimmy Buffett, Sarah MacLachlan & the Moody Blues. Thanks for the upload
@MotoramaPeruvian
Amo la navidad 🎄 viva Perú
@antdusk1339
Better than the old one!
@stewartsmart5481
Fuck yeah Mike peters a legand singing a song by a legend