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
Rescue me
The Alarm Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Rides a run away train
To liberate
Tear these bonds assunder
A fugitive
Running from a chain gang
Comfort me
Running all my life
Running all my day
Running through the night
Seems like forever
Take me now
I'm so tired
Take me now
This time, forever
RESCUE ME
I'm on the run like a refugee
RESCUE ME
Oh come on rescue me
I'm destitute
I'm looking for protection
I want love
And physical asylum
A vagabond
Running from destruction
Cover me
While I seek defection
Running all my life
Running all my day
Running through the night
Seems like forever
Take me now
I'm so tired
Take me now
This time, forever
RESCUE ME
I'm on the run like a refugee
RESCUE ME
I believe you can rescue me
Running all my life
Running all my day
Running through the night
Seems like forever
Take me now
I'm so tired
Take me now
This time, forever
RESCUE ME
On the run like a refugee
RESCUE ME
Oh come on rescue me
RESCUE ME
Got to run like a refugee
RESCUE ME
I believe you can rescue me
RESCUE ME
Come on, come on, come on, come on
The Alarm's song Rescue Me is a song about seeking freedom from oppression and a longing for love and asylum. The lyrics describe a renegade who rides a runaway train to liberate themselves and tear apart their bonds. The song mentions a fugitive who is running from the law and asks for comfort and absolution. The song also mentions a vagabond who is seeking protection from destruction.
Throughout the song, the singer describes their life as constantly running through the day and night. They are exhausted and want to be rescued from their life as a refugee. They long for physical and emotional asylum, protection, and love. The song ends with a plea for rescue, begging the listener to come to their aid.
The song reflects the struggles faced by many refugees, who are forced to flee their homes due to persecution, war or other disasters. The lyrics are a cry for help from people who are seeking safety and freedom. The song is a powerful reminder of our shared humanity and the importance of compassion for those fleeing from oppression.
Line by Line Meaning
A renegade
Someone who has abandoned their previous allegiance and is now running towards freedom
Rides a run away train
Just like how a train on the loose cannot be controlled, the renegade is also beyond control or restraint
To liberate
The renegade is determined to free themselves from bondage or oppression
Tear these bonds assunder
The renegade wants to break free from the chains that bind them and be free forever
A fugitive
Someone who is running away as they are wanted by the authorities or law enforcement
Running from a chain gang
The fugitive is trying to escape from a group of prisoners who are linked together
Comfort me
The fugitive wants to feel secure and protected by someone or something
Grant me absolution
The fugitive seeks forgiveness for their wrongful actions or thoughts
Take me now
The artist wants to be rescued right away without any delay
I'm so tired
The artist is exhausted and drained due to running for too long
This time, forever
The singer wants this rescue to be permanent and not just a temporary solution
RESCUE ME
The artist is calling out for help and wants to be rescued immediately
I'm on the run like a refugee
The singer is constantly on the run and is fleeing from one place to another just like a refugee
Oh come on rescue me
The singer is pleading with the rescuer to come and save them
I'm destitute
The singer is homeless and penniless
I'm looking for protection
The artist wants to be safe and secure from any impending danger
I want love
The artist desires care and adoration from someone
And physical asylum
The singer is seeking a place of refuge to keep them protected from any harm
A vagabond
Someone who is wandering from one place to another without a permanent home
Running from destruction
The vagabond is trying to escape from anything harmful or dangerous which might come their way
Cover me
The artist wants someone to shield and protect them
While I seek defection
The artist desires to escape from their current situation and seek protection somewhere else
Got to run like a refugee
The singer must run like a refugee to escape from any impending harm
I believe you can rescue me
The artist has faith in the rescuer and trusts that they will come to their aid
Come on, come on, come on, come on
The singer is urging the rescuer to come quickly and not waste any time
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DARREN LEE MCDONALD, ROBERT MERLINI, MICHELLE LYNN ROSS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lovelyladylori333
One of my favourite songs from ‘87 when I first heard it played on the radio. 🎶
@matteoramsay121
I had forgotten about this track. My buddy reminded me about it last September. I've played it every weekend since.
@ZON-eu6fx
A huge fan of the 80's, Alarm remains one of my favorite groups of that era. The 80's produced so much good music.
@Strength_Saint.
Brilliant live, happy to say I've seen them live half a dozen times!
@xo2520
Underrated 80s pop rock classic from The Alarm🎸🎶
@yehiaelalaily6883
One of my favorite bands in the 80s
@jonshaw9472
I'm listening to a lot of Alarm at the moment, it happens every time i see the great Mike Peters on the telly.
@christopherklingel2153
Man 80's music made me feel so good. Today's music doesn't even get me out on the dance floor. 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's were the best times.
@earthwatcher2012
Still an awesome song!!
@kevinwharton2341
This LP is an absolute classic. Love the Alarm.