The Badloves signed a deal with Mushroom Records at the end of 1992 after label head Michael Gudinski saw them supporting Hall and Oates at the Melbourne Concert Hall. Initially then band's debut album Get On Board (June 1993) sold moderately, and the first two CD singles 'Lost'/'Green Limousine' , 'Stop' (March) and 'I Remember' (July), were only minor hits. Months of touring and opening for bands like The Sharp, Weddings Parties Anything and Baby Animals did not help sales. The band's fortunes began to change at the end of 1993 when they collaborated with Jimmy Barnes on his Flesh And Wood album.
In partnership, they recorded a cover version of The Band's classic 'The Weight', which reached #6 in December 1993. Following the success of 'The Weight' and the release of 'Green Limousine' as a single, Get On Board eventually made the Australian Top 5 (Selling in excess of 140 000 copies), and the band won three 1993 Australian Record Industry Association (ARIA) Awards (Best Debut Album for Get On Board, Best Debut Single for 'Lost' and Best New Talent).
In early 1994, The Badloves toured Europe with Jimmy Barnes, after which bassist O'Prey left the band to be replaced by John 'Bullfrog' Favarro. The CD single 'Memphis' appeared in March. The band then undertook the successful Travelling Salvation tour which saw The Badloves playing to packed houses across Australia. The beginning of 1995 was taken up with recording a new album with producer Doug Roberts, and the whole project was documented by filmmaker Clayton Jacobson. Black Crowes producer Jack Joseph Puig mixed the album Holy Roadside in Los Angeles.
Holy Roadside came out in September 1995, preceded by the CD single 'Caroline" in August. A limited edition collectors' album, Live In Amsterdam (recorded at 'The Paradiso' while the band was touring Europe with Jimmy Barnes), was also available for a short time with the purchase of Holy Roadside. The soulful 'Slave' appeared as the album's second CD single in November. The 'Barefoot Bride' CD single (May 1996) featured a live rendition of Paul Simon's 'Love Me Like A Rock'. The Badloves issued the live album Everybody Everywhere in April 1997.
The band didn't do much after this, many people said that they broke up, Tony Featherstone denied this in an email he sent me - he said it was a ploy so that they could get out of their Mushroom record deal - looks like it worked! Michael Spiby released his debut solo album in 2000, Ho's Kitchen. The Badloves then came together once more in mid 2000 to play a Victorian festival, the band enjoyed themselves, so they then set out on a small tour. They played more shows again in April 2001. Tony Featherstone left the band early in 2002 to pursue a career in web design. He has yet to be permanently replaced.
The Badloves have continued to tour again and released an EP "14" in March 2002.
Unfortunately, on September 21, 2003 - The Badloves played their final show.
I Remember
The Badloves Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You had nothing my dear
Every meal you ate was served inside a can
And I remember
You knew something called love
And we hitched along the roadside in the rain
And now I gotta say
Every inch of you's a star
Now a chauffer drives your car
But there ain't a lot of love in paradise
There ain't too many good things left in your life
I remember
All your crazy ideas
And the help you sought to realise your dreams
I remember
Your material smiles
For the people who had trusted and believed
And now I gotta say
I know more of you that way
Playing with the life
You rolled it like a dice
But there ain't a lot of love in paradise
There ain't too many good things left in your life
But there ain't a lot of love
Remember
Baby, baby
Why must you be so obscene?
Baby, baby
You're falling apart at the seams
There ain't a lot of love in paradise
There ain't too many good things left in your life
Too many good things (There ain't a lot of love)
Of love (in paradise)
Too many good things (There ain't too many good things)
Left in your life
Remember
Remember
The Badloves's song "I Remember" speaks to the memory of a past relationship that had been built on love, dreams, and struggles. The song observes the subject's current status of success in material possessions, but seemingly empty in the element of love. The opening stanza recalls the days when the subject had nothing and relied on canned food but had love. The subsequent stanzas reflect on the memories of their past love and the steps the partner took to turn dreams into reality. The songs end by emphasizing that despite success in material possession, the subject doesn't possess a lot of love and happiness.
The song's narrative follows the pattern of the bluesy ballad, with lyrical content that emphasizes lost love and disillusionment. The song begins with a simple chord progression, creating a sense of intimacy with the listener. The song's tone is melancholic, which echoes the subject's journey from past love to current isolation. The subject is portrayed to be successful but is still longing for love and passion, a sentiment that resonates with many people.
Line by Line Meaning
I remember
Recalling a past experience or memory
You had nothing my dear
You were struggling financially with just enough to survive
Every meal you ate was served inside a can
You ate canned food as it was easily available and cheap
And I remember
Recalling another past experience or memory
You knew something called love
You understood and valued the importance of love
And we hitched along the roadside in the rain
We went on a trip together and experienced hardship of rain along the way
And now I gotta say
Now I need to express my current understanding or observation
I know more of you that way
I have come to know you better now in contrast to the past
Every inch of you's a star
You have become successful and shine bright in every aspect
Now a chauffer drives your car
You have achieved a level of success where you can afford a personal driver
But there ain't a lot of love in paradise
Despite your success, there seems to be a lack of emotional fulfillment or happiness
There ain't too many good things left in your life
Despite your success, there seems to be a void or emptiness in your life
I remember
Recalling another past experience or memory
All your crazy ideas
Remembering how innovative and imaginative you used to be
And the help you sought to realise your dreams
Recalling how you sought assistance to fulfill your ambitions
Your material smiles
Your outward happiness as a result of material possessions or success
For the people who had trusted and believed
Your success was motivated by people who had faith in you
Playing with the life
Taking risks with your life or what you have achieved so far
You rolled it like a dice
Engaging in a situation where the outcome is uncertain or dependent on chance
Baby, baby
Affectionate term for the receiver's attention
Why must you be so obscene?
Expressing concern about the receiver's behavior or actions
You're falling apart at the seams
The receiver is emotionally breaking down
Remember
Recalling again
There ain't a lot of love in paradise
Repeating an assertion that there is a deficiency of emotional fulfillment
Too many good things (There ain't a lot of love)
Highlighting the contrast between good things achieved and emotional fulfillment
Of love (in paradise)
The main focus of the deficiency in paradise is love
Too many good things (There ain't too many good things)
Highlighting the contrast between good things achieved and current state of life
Left in your life
The current state of life has a deficiency of good things
Contributed by William Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@JoeVarVeri
Oh yeah! I friggin love this song. A classic indeed. 🎶👍
@chrisharro
I'm going to see them at the Mordialloc Festival in three days time. I can't believe they're not the headline act.
@duncan3998
1993 hidden gem
@zd351
Another classic....
@DanRandom
Brilliant as always.
@aprilsky8474
Great song love it.
@georgegrewal8797
Awesome band saw them live and they were fantastic
@TheBadlovesOfficial
Cheers! We're still touring constantly. Hope to see you at a gig sometime 😀
@georgegrewal8797
@@TheBadlovesOfficial Definitely!!!
@lolly_bread
Hehe. I just "remembered" a funny story that happened to me with this song...
Back in the 90's around the time this song came out, I was walking down to the milk bar along Mahoney's Road, Thomastown on my lunch break. About 20 metres ahead of me on the footpath was this cat who, from behind, reminded me of this song's singer; and before I could think I blurted out "I remember" at a volume that had the fella whipping around to see. It was HIM!!!!
I was shocked and somewhat embarrassed, and I bet he thought he had a stalker on his hands... and we still had some distance to walk (uncomfortably) until I could peel off to the shop. :D
Anyhoops - great song and I hope he knew I was just a fan at the time.