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
Moments In Time
The Alarm Lyrics
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That'll be the day rock'n'roll died
Far away on a dark and stormy night
Brought into the new decade
The sixties and her pearly gates
A hard rain fell and the times forever changed
In the back of a car with the wind in our hair
Speeding down the road going anywhere
Sixty eight rang like a ricochet
The world arose to a nightmare day
Some people found their voice and a world to change
One small step for man was one giant leap for mankind
How I wish that we could walk that way tonight
On a Woodstock field in the heat of the night
Rock'n'roll music defined the times
The sound of generations collide
These moments in time
(These moments in time)
Live on forever in my mind
(Live on forever in my mind)
Even though we've said goodbye
(These moments in time)
Live on forever in my mind
And the seventies king of rock'n'roll
In Gracelands lost his throne
There won't be any comebacks tomorrow
No Elvis, Beatles or the Rolling Stones
Why they were taken away? God only knows
We formed a band we were haunted by their ghosts
I remember it now like it was yesterday
Playing those guitars at a frantic pace
Somewhere we got lost along the way
These moments in time
(These moments in time)
Live on forever in my mind
(Live on forever in my mind)
Even though we've said goodbye
(These moments in time)
Live on forever in my mind
Through the London streets in a taxi cab
A radio played an epitaph
Imagine, the dream is over
Oh I've been silent way too long
You never thought I knew what was going on
You probably think that you are in this song
The tragedies behind the dreams
Belie the truth and the honesty
I have seen the dirt and the glory
These moments in time
(These moments in time)
Live on forever in my mind
(Live on forever in my mind)
Even though we've said goodbye
(These moments in time)
Live on forever in my mind
These moments in time
(These moments in time)
Live on forever in my mind
(Live on forever in my mind)
Even though we've said goodbye
(These moments in time)
Live on forever in my mind
The Alarm’s song “Moments in Time” is a reflection on the different eras of rock and roll and their impact on the world. The opening verse sets the stage, with the singer being born in 1959, the same year Buddy Holly died in a plane crash. “That’ll be the day rock’n’roll died” is the reference to the famous song by Holly, which has come to represent the loss of an era in the music world. The singer is born just as the 1960s begins, and they note that a “hard rain fell and the times forever changed.” This references the Bob Dylan song “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall,” which is seen as a warning about the hardships and tumultuous changes that would take place in the decade ahead.
As the song progresses, the singer notes different milestones in the history of rock and roll. They highlight the power of music to define an era and bring people together, noting Woodstock as a prime example. They also acknowledge the loss of some of the biggest icons of the genre, such as Elvis Presley, the Beatles, and the Rolling Stones. Despite the changes that have occurred, the singer recognizes that these “moments in time” live on forever in their mind.
Overall, “Moments in Time” is a nostalgic and reflective tribute to the power of rock and roll and its impact on society. It recognizes the highs and lows of the genre and acknowledges the way that music can provide comfort and connection during times of change and upheaval.
Line by Line Meaning
I was born of nineteen fifty nine
I came into existence in the year 1959
That'll be the day rock'n'roll died
The day Buddy Holly died, ending the era of early rock and roll
Far away on a dark and stormy night
In a distant time and space, amidst adverse weather conditions
Brought into the new decade
Welcomed into the 1960s
The sixties and her pearly gates
The decade of the 1960s, symbolized as heaven's gates
A hard rain fell and the times forever changed
A metaphorical reference to Bob Dylan's song, 'A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall'. The artist highlights how the times have irrevocably changed
In the back of a car with the wind in our hair
Sitting in the rear seat of a car, with a refreshing wind blowing through our hair
Speeding down the road going anywhere
Driving fast and aimlessly on the road
Was it true we were really going nowhere?
Questioning the purpose of their aimless drive in life
Sixty eight rang like a ricochet
The year 1968 greatly impacted and reverberated through society
The world arose to a nightmare day
On a fateful day, the world woke up to a disaster or tragedy
Some people found their voice and a world to change
Inspired by recent events, some individuals found their calling to make a positive change in the world
One small step for man was one giant leap for mankind
Neil Armstrong's first step on the moon in 1969 was a significant achievement for humanity
How I wish that we could walk that way tonight
Expressing a desire to relive or witness the events of the past
On a Woodstock field in the heat of the night
Referring to the iconic music festival of Woodstock on a hot summer night
Rock'n'roll music defined the times
The music genre of rock and roll epitomized and characterized the era
The sound of generations collide
The sounds and values of different generations clashed and converged
And the seventies king of rock'n'roll
Elvis Presley, who was an iconic figure in the 1970s music scene
In Gracelands lost his throne
Elvis Presley lost his fame and glory, linked back to his famous home, Graceland
There won't be any comebacks tomorrow
There will be no chance to return to the golden era of music and culture
No Elvis, Beatles or the Rolling Stones
No chance to experience or witness the powerful impact of legendary music icons
Why they were taken away? God only knows
An expression of grief over the loss of great musicians, asking for a reason or explanation from a higher power
We formed a band we were haunted by their ghosts
Haunted by the musical influences of past legendary artists, leading to the creation of a new band or musical style
I remember it now like it was yesterday
Recalling a memory from the past vividly, as if it happened yesterday
Playing those guitars at a frantic pace
Playing musical instruments energetically and passionately
Somewhere we got lost along the way
At some point, the band or individual lost sight of their musical and personal goals
Through the London streets in a taxi cab
Transporting through the busy and vibrant streets of London in a taxi
A radio played an epitaph
A tribute or remembrance to a deceased person played on the radio
Imagine, the dream is over
A reference to John Lennon's song 'Imagine', where the singer implies that the long-held dream or hope is dismantled
Oh I've been silent way too long
Acknowledging the long-held silence over a certain matter or problem
You never thought I knew what was going on
Suggesting that the other party misunderstood, underestimated or disbelieved in one's knowledge or awareness
You probably think that you are in this song
Implying that the written song might relate, or not relate, to the listener's or reader's personal experience
The tragedies behind the dreams
The difficulties, hardships or dark aspects behind the hopes or ambitions
Belie the truth and the honesty
Contradict the reality and truthfulness of the situation
I have seen the dirt and the glory
Experiencing and witnessing both the unpleasant and the amazing aspects of life
These moments in time
Referring to the important or memorable events in life
(These moments in time)
Stating the recurring motif of pivotal moments in life
Live on forever in my mind
Leaving a lasting impression and significance in one's memory
(Live on forever in my mind)
Reiterating the importance and impact of momentous events and memories
Even though we've said goodbye
Even though the past has ended or passed us by
(These moments in time)
Continuing the theme of significant life events and memories
Live on forever in my mind
Furthers the idea of everlasting memories and importance of certain past events
(Live on forever in my mind)
Re-emphasizing the lasting impact of significant moments on one's memory
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: EDWARD JAMES MAC DONALD, MICHAEL LESLIE PETERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind