The band's deliberate focus likely affected its appeal to wider audiences. The overall result was that the Babys seemed to live in the shadow of other Chrysalis artists such as Blondie and Pat Benatar. The cover of 'Broken Heart', with the Babys' members in glossy make-up, may have been part of the aforementioned marketing ploy.
The Baby's classic early line-up, existing from 1976 to 1978, consisted of vocalist/bassist John Waite, drummer Tony Brock, keyboardist/guitarist Michael Corby, and guitarist Wally Stocker. From 1979 to 1981, the band's line-up changed as Corby exited with Ricky Phillips and Jonathan Cain came on board. 'Broken Heart' produced a top 20 U.S. hit, "Isn't it Time", and they toured the U.S. successfully. The album also spent two weeks at number one in Australia, though it did not produce another top 40 single anywhere.
Early in 1979, "Every Time I think of You" from the band's third album, 'Head First', again reached the top 20 in the U.S. It did even better in Australia, breaking into the top 10. Whilst recording the album Mike Corby left the group. In a recent radio interview posted on his website, John Waite said that after the Babys Corby left the music scene altogether. The band's fourth album, 'Union Jacks', featured a more aggressive, punchy rock sound similar to label-mate Benatar, with single "Back On My Feet Again" hitting the top 40.
Flagging commercial success dogged the band, with their fifth album, 'On the Edge', proving to be their last. Wally Stocker and Tony Brock have not worked with John Waite since the breakup and there have never been any signs of the original 1976 line-up reforming.
According to the notes included in the compilation album 'The Essential John Waite', the band's touring came to an end when Waite tore a ligament on stage during a concert in Akron, Ohio in December 1980, within a day of the assassination of John Lennon. Waite, Ricky Phillips, and Jonathan Cain later played together in the supergroup Bad English. Cain also enjoyed great success with arena rock band Journey while Brock spent many years post-Babys drumming for Rod Stewart.
2. The Babys was a Japanese indie rock band. The members are Shunsuke - vocals/guitar, Rie - drums, and Haruna - bass. The Babys are on Japan's Infinity Records label. Their sound is heavily inspired by 1970s and 80s U.S.A. and British punk rock. The Babys' style, though, is more melodic and influenced by rockabilly and contemporary pop music.
Their most recent release is an EP ('mini album' in Japan) entitled "My Name is Future" (2006). Aside from that, they have released another EP, "Shounen Knife" (2005) and two singles, "The Babys" (2004) and "Alien" (2005). Their only full-length release at this time is "Star Luster" (2005).
The Babys lent much of their music to a Japanese animation TV soundtrack entitled "Paradise Kiss."
The Golden Mile
The Babys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Turned my head and walked away
Sun was shinin' and it caught my eyes
Damn near blew me away
Sometimes I look back
And I think to myself
Had some friends there
And they lost their way
I swear to God I didn't know them all
But it seemed so for a while
And sometimes I look back
And I cry to myself
I can feel I can feel the world turnin' round
Yeah
Feel it turn
I can feel the world turnin' round on me
Yeah
I can feel the world turnin' round
Oh
Going back there to the Golden Mile
It's where I belong anyway
If you should see me stay out my way
I'm going back to find my golden days
I can feel
I can feel the world turnin' round on me
Yeah
I can feel the world spinnin' round
Yeah
I can feel the world spinnin' round on me
Spinning 'round
Turnin' 'round
Spinning 'round
Turnin' 'round
The lyrics to The Babys' song, The Golden Mile, tell the story of the singer's experience on a street called the Golden Mile, which they walked away from after having a vision. The sun shining caught their eye and nearly blew them away, which may be interpreted as being overwhelmed by the beauty around them. The singer then reflects on the friends they had on the Golden Mile who lost their way. Even though the singer didn't know them all, they felt like they did, and it seemed like they all had moments of happiness together. This reflection seems to bring the singer to tears.
In the second half of the song, the singer decides to go back to the Golden Mile, where they feel they belong. The final lines of the song repeat the chorus about feeling the world spinning and turning around on them. The lyrics are open to interpretation, but it could be seen as the singer wanting to recapture a time when they were truly happy and felt like they had a place in the world. However, they may also be expressing a sense of nostalgia for a time that they can't return to, symbolized by the unattainable vision that nearly blew them away.
Line by Line Meaning
Had a vision on the Golden Mile
I had a dream or a realization while walking down the Golden Mile.
Turned my head and walked away
I didn't act on the vision or dream and just ignored it.
Sun was shinin' and it caught my eyes
The weather was beautiful and I was captivated by it.
Damn near blew me away
The incredible beauty of the moment was almost too much for me to handle.
Sometimes I look back
Occasionally, I reminisce about the past.
And I think to myself
Reflecting on my memories, I often ponder about the experience.
Had some friends there
I used to have acquaintances on the Golden Mile.
And they lost their way
Unfortunately, my acquaintances made bad choices and lost their path.
It's funny when I recall their smiles
However, I find it amusing how I remember their unique expressions.
I swear to God I didn't know them all
Despite remembering their faces, I didn't actually know everyone very well.
But it seemed so for a while
It felt like I had a connection with those people for a brief period of time.
And sometimes I look back
On occasion, I still reminisce about my past experiences there.
And I cry to myself
Sometimes these reflections provoke an emotional response from me.
I can feel I can feel the world turnin' round
There is a sense that everything is changing or shifting around me.
Yeah
Feel it turn
I am acutely aware of the movement and change happening around me.
Going back there to the Golden Mile
I'm planning on revisiting the Golden Mile.
It's where I belong anyway
I feel deeply connected to that place and feel that it is my home.
If you should see me stay out my way
I want to be alone and not bothered on this personal journey.
I'm going back to find my golden days
I am returning to the Golden Mile to recapture the positive experiences and memories from my past.
I can feel the world turnin' round on me
I sense that the environment around me is still in flux and change is happening.
Oh
Spinning 'round
The movement of life and change is still happening all around me.
Turnin' 'round
The world is in a constant state of transformation and evolution.
Spinning 'round
Again, reiterating the constant motion and change of life.
Turnin' 'round
Further emphasizing the evolution and transformation happening in the world.
Lyrics © CARLIN AMERICA INC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
American dragon
Had a vision on the Golden Mile
Turned my head and walked away
Sun was shinin' and it caught my eyes
Damn near blew me away
Sometimes I look back
And I think to myself
Had some friends there
And they lost their way
It's funny when I recall their smiles
I swear to God I didn't know them all
But it seemed so for a while
And sometimes I look back
And I cry to myself
I can feel I can feel the world turnin' round
Yeah
Feel it turn
I can feel the world turnin' round on me
Yeah
I can feel the world turnin' round
Oh
Going back there to the Golden Mile
It's where I belong anyway
If you should see me stay out my way
I'm going back to find my golden days
I can feel
I can feel the world turnin' round on me
Yeah
I can feel the world spinnin' round
Yeah
I can feel the world spinnin' round on me
Spinning 'round
Turnin' 'round
Spinning 'round
Turnin' 'round
Hamilton lovesjohnwaite
Mind blowing album and song ... love all of the songs. Remembering being 14, many years ago...great times............
Greg Ford
so ironic ,i was also 14 or so and it takes me back,underrated album
Groove Master
Another dark moody Corby composition. Starts slow with "dreamy" Waite vocals and then builds and builds. His phrasing is simply brilliant. They used a string orchestra on this phase ala Wrong or Right. Waite just drives his vocals into the ground on this one and then it drops out and builds again.
Alasdair Baird
It's hard to find words to describe the majesty of this track Jeff, but yours go a long way. It's taken me 40 years to decide, but if I was only allowed 1 Babys track for the rest of my life, this would be my choice. First saw your name on Al Stewart's 24 Carrots I think. He's far and away the best solo artist. The Classic "Official" Babys might have been inadvertently ruined by the commercial success of Isn't It Time as it took people's attention from the rest of the album.
Blackscorpion1963
Under rated & ahead of their time. Just listen to the axes on this track, WoW - blew folks minds back in that day.
American dragon
Had a vision on the Golden Mile
Turned my head and walked away
Sun was shinin' and it caught my eyes
Damn near blew me away
Sometimes I look back
And I think to myself
Had some friends there
And they lost their way
It's funny when I recall their smiles
I swear to God I didn't know them all
But it seemed so for a while
And sometimes I look back
And I cry to myself
I can feel I can feel the world turnin' round
Yeah
Feel it turn
I can feel the world turnin' round on me
Yeah
I can feel the world turnin' round
Oh
Going back there to the Golden Mile
It's where I belong anyway
If you should see me stay out my way
I'm going back to find my golden days
I can feel
I can feel the world turnin' round on me
Yeah
I can feel the world spinnin' round
Yeah
I can feel the world spinnin' round on me
Spinning 'round
Turnin' 'round
Spinning 'round
Turnin' 'round
ipc2496
Favorite album of all time! Played it monthly for 30 years and never burned out. My kid thinks I'm insane. She can't escape the Babys lol!!! Things could be a lot worse!
HubAndre
Goosebumps from head to toe are always an involuntary reflex when I listen to this song ....beautiful, just beautiful.....
jraff0815
Thanks for putting this out there!!! I have it on vinyl..under rated band...
Julie Jo
Still listening to it all these years later. I still have every album and my JVC system to rock them on. :)