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.
slave
The Badloves Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To an early grave
To that bed you made
Now you've got to lay down in it
Slave
Slave
See now what you've done
You know that I see right through it
Slave
They branded you
Too much of a good thing
Black and blue
You wear it like some ball and chain
Slave
Slave
Dig your lovers tomb
What you trying to do now
Come on, let's get down to it
Slave
Yeah they branded you
Too much of a good thing
Black and blue
You wear it like some ball and chain
Slave
(Whose shoes are you trying to fill?
Who's driving you up that hill?)
When I was young
And I must have been naive
For every word of every lie I would believe
I would still belong
To a love that's strong
And I'd be free
When I was young
And I know I was naive
For every word of every lie I would believe
I could still belong
To a love that's strong
And I'd be free
(Whose shoes are you trying to fill?
Who's driving you up that hill
The Badloves's song "Slave" is a powerful and emotional ballad that speaks to the consequences of a life lived in servitude to others. The song is an indictment of those who have allowed themselves to be trapped in a cycle of dependence and subjugation, and it urges the listener to break free from the chains of self-imposed oppression. The lyrics are raw and unflinching, laying bare the pain and regret that come with a life spent in bondage.
The first verse sets the tone for the song, as the singer warns the listener that their actions have consequences, and that they will have to face the consequences of their choices. The word "slave" is repeated throughout the song as a reminder of the chains that bind the listener, and the chorus drives home the message that they are trapped in a cycle of self-destruction.
The second verse speaks to the societal pressures that lead people to believe that they must conform to certain expectations. The lines "They branded you/Too much of a good thing/Black and blue/You wear it like some ball and chain" suggest that the listener has been punished for being too successful or too different, and that they have internalized these messages to the point where they see themselves as unworthy of love or happiness.
Overall, "Slave" is a powerful song that speaks to the human experience of feeling trapped and alone. The lyrics are evocative and the melody is haunting, making for a memorable and moving listening experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Slave
A repeated accusation of being a slave to one's own choices and actions.
To an early grave
The consequence of being a slave is a premature or untimely death.
To that bed you made
The slave's bed or situation was self-created, and is therefore the slave's responsibility to face.
Now you've got to lay down in it
The slave must face the consequences of their self-created fate, and cannot avoid it.
See now what you've done
The slave is forced to confront the result of their actions or choices.
See what you've become
The slave has changed in some way and must now face the consequences of that change.
You know that I see right through it
The slave's true nature or intentions are transparent and not able to be hidden.
They branded you
The slave is marked by their actions or choices, and cannot escape them.
Too much of a good thing
The slave's situation was caused by indulging or overdoing something that was positive or enjoyable in moderation.
Black and blue
The slave is physically or emotionally scarred by their self-created situation.
You wear it like some ball and chain
The slave's situation is burdensome and inescapable, like a heavy weight they must carry around.
Dig your lovers tomb
The slave is self-destructive and may harm those they are closest to.
What you trying to do now
The slave may continue to make choices that harm themselves or others.
Come on, let's get down to it
The slave's situation must be addressed and dealt with directly.
(Whose shoes are you trying to fill?
An implied question about the motivation behind the slave's actions or choices.
Who's driving you up that hill?)
Another implied question about who or what is causing the slave's situation.
When I was young
The artist is reflecting on their own experiences and perspective.
And I must have been naive
The singer acknowledges their own past lack of understanding or wisdom.
For every word of every lie I would believe
The singer was easily deceived in the past by false words or promises.
I would still belong
Despite being deceived, the artist remained committed to their beliefs or relationships.
To a love that's strong
The artist values strong and enduring relationships or bonds.
And I'd be free
The artist values the freedom that comes from being committed to a strong relationship or bond.
Contributed by Sebastian G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
🦋 Love Conquers All 143
LOVING these videos! Keep 'em coming please?! Thank you!!!
🤩🤩🤩🤩💖💖💖💖
The Badloves
Thanks Louise, will do!
Eerika Smith
I love these memories. Such good times and such a great song.
The Badloves
Thank you Eerika!
wrxelectra
I saw you guys in 1997 in Prahran at the Continental Hotel. The quality of your sound was better than what I would hear on the radio and every single song was a classic. Best Regards Tim
The Badloves
Cheers Tim. What a sensational venue The Conti was! We're out on the road again so hope to see you at a gig sometime soon 👍
Terrence Hill
I tried so hard to remember this band and song that I listened to in the 90's and after 2 days of trying to remember their name I finally found it! AMAZING SONG!
The Badloves
Cheers! We're out on tour so hope to see you at a gig sometime 😀https://www.thebadloves.com.au/tour
Dora Bzz
So love this song 🧡
The Badloves
Cheers Dora!