Their first three singles all made the Top 40 in the Britain, and their eponymously-titled 1987 debut album entered the UK album chart at number 2, and eventually sold over a million copies. The highest placed single from this album was "Ideal World", which reached number 14 in the UK singles chart.
In 1988 they released a cover of the Isley Brothers' "Harvest For The World", with all proceeds going to charity. The video for the track was an animation, created by four leading animation companies, including Aardman of Wallace and Gromit fame. The video won several awards, and the single reached number 8 in the charts.
1989 saw another charity single success, this time as performers on a version of Ferry 'Cross The Mersey, released in aid of those affected by the Hillsborough disaster, which stayed at number one for several weeks.
Their second album, Colour released in 1990, reached number one in the UK album chart, and in 1992 the follow-up, Happy in Hell charted at number 18. But none of their following singles reached the top 20.
The early 1990s saw the band continuing to tour, but declining in popularity. A "Greatest Hits" album, The Best of the Christians was released in 1993 and peaked at number 22.
Garry Christian moved to Paris in 1995 to record a solo album, effectively breaking up the band, although no formal announcement was made and the door was open to future reformation. Four years later they began to perform together again in an "unplugged" acoustic format. In 1999 they carried out a thirty six date tour of the UK, with a similar tour undertaken in 2000.
By 2001 The Christians began to write songs for a 'comeback' album, Prodigal Sons, which was released in 2003. This was also supported by a UK tour in October 2003 and further promotion in France, Spain and UK throughout 2004.
In 2005 Russell Christian decided he no longer wished to tour, and a decision was made to return to a full band format, rather than the 4-man “unplugged” line-up that had been touring since 1999.
This new 'band' (comprising Garry Christian /vocals, Henry Priestman/keys,accordion, Neil Griffiths/acoustic guitar/backing vocals, Stewart Boyle/electric guitar, Bobby Kewley/bass, and Craig Connet/drums) was unveiled on the autumn 2005 tour. The same version of the original band is currently preparing for their next tour in 2006.
Born Again
The Christians Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When the sunshine finally cut through the haze,
I really don't remember that much I just know I wasted a thousand days.
We need protection from this infection, something to ease this cruel
disease,
A ray of hope in a new direction,
I called to you and you rescued me.
I'm through going down,
In you I've a better friend.
Yes I know I'm the lucky one,
And now I've got a brand new life to live,
But one of the ones that didn't get away,
They've taken so much, we've got nothing left to give.
Now we can do without the reprobation,
Let's try some love and some sanity,
I know the thousands all over the nation,
I thank the Lord that you rescued me.
Because when you're around, I feel like I'm born again,
I'm through going down,
In you I've a better friend.
I've got this feeling I'm born again.
I used to wake in the afternoon,
When the sunshine finally cut through the haze,
I really don't remember that much I just know I wasted a thousand days.
We need protection from this infection, something to ease this cruel
disease,
A ray of hope in a new direction,
I called to you and you rescued me.
Because when you're around, I feel like I'm born again,
I'm through going down,
In you I've a better friend.
I've got this feeling I'm born again.
The Christians' song "Born Again" presents a personal story of hope and redemption. The song's narrator admits to wasting away countless days before realizing that they needed to be rescued from the infection of their self-destructive habits. The turning point comes when the singer calls out for help and feels that they have found a new direction through the love and companionship of someone else. The theologically significant phrase "born again" underscores the idea of a second chance at life after being lost or disconnected.
The song's imagery is both poignant and uplifting. The singer's memories of waking up late in the day and being lost in a haze are juxtaposed with the rays of sunshine that offer a glimmer of hope. The repeated chorus, "Because when you're around, I feel like I'm born again," captures the transformative power of human connection and suggests that we never really escape our need for community and supportive relationships.
Overall, "Born Again" is a song that speaks to the universal human experience of disappointment and longing, as well as the hope that we can always turn things around with the help of others. Whether it's a religious salvation or a supportive friend, we all need something to rescue us from the haze and give us a new lease on life.
Line by Line Meaning
I used to wake in the afternoon,
The singer had a habit of waking late in the day, signifying a wasted and unproductive lifestyle.
When the sunshine finally cut through the haze,
The singer lived a hazy existence, devoid of clarity, only to be occasionally pierced through by bright moments of clarity.
I really don't remember that much I just know I wasted a thousand days.
The singer had spent a significant portion of their life in a hazed-out state and admits to not remembering much else besides the fact that it was a complete waste of time.
We need protection from this infection, something to ease this cruel disease,
The artist believes that they are afflicted with a disease that requires help beyond themselves and is seeking protection and comfort.
A ray of hope in a new direction,
The artist is seeking a new path in life, one that is far removed from their current existence.
I called to you and you rescued me.
The singer found the help and protection they needed after reaching out to someone whom they believe saved them from their current situation.
Because when you're around, I feel like I'm born again,
The presence of the person who helped the singer is transformative for them, to the point where they feel like they have been given a new lease on life.
I'm through going down,
The artist is done with their old ways and is ready to start anew.
In you I've a better friend.
The person who helped the artist is now considered their best and most trusted confidant.
Yes I know I'm the lucky one,
The artist understands that they are fortunate to have been saved and recognizes that there are others who weren't as lucky.
And now I've got a brand new life to live,
The singer feels like their life was completely transformed and is now ready to live a new, better life.
But one of the ones that didn't get away,
Although the artist was fortunate enough to be rescued, they are also aware that there are others who weren't as lucky.
They've taken so much, we've got nothing left to give.
The singer believes that the world has taken everything from those who weren't as lucky, and there's nothing left for them to give.
Now we can do without the reprobation,
The singer believes that we should move forward without harsh criticism and judgment.
Let's try some love and some sanity,
Rather than focusing on negativity, the singer suggests that love and rational thinking can lead to a better world.
I know the thousands all over the nation,
The artist is aware that there are many people in the same situation they were in, and that they need the help the artist received.
I thank the Lord that you rescued me.
The artist is grateful for the help they received and thanks their savior.
I've got this feeling I'm born again.
The singer reconfirms that they feel as though they've been given a new life and are starting fresh.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: HENRY PRIESTMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lakesidehikes8465
I used to wake in the afternoon,
When the sunshine finally cut through the haze,
I really don't remember that much I
Just know I wasted a thousand days.
!!!***
We need protection from this infection, something to ease this cruel
Disease,!!!***
((((Wow, yes, let's ease CORONA, finally!)!!!***
A ray of hope in a new direction,
I called to you and you rescued me.
Because when you're around, I feel like I'm born again,
I'm through going down,
In you I've a better friend.
Yes I know I'm the lucky one,
And now I've got a brand new life to live,
But one of the ones that didn't get away,
They've taken so much, we've got nothing left to give.
Now we can do without the reprobation,
Let's try some love and some sanity,
I know the thousands all over the nation,
I thank the Lord that you rescued me.
Because when you're around, I feel like I'm born again,
I'm through going down,
In you I've a better friend.
I've got this feeling I'm born again.
I used to wake in the afternoon,
When the sunshine finally cut through the haze,
I really don't remember that much I
Just know I wasted a thousand days.
We need protection from this infection, something to ease this cruel
Disease,
A ray of hope in a new direction,
I called to you and you rescued me.
Because when you're around, I feel like I'm born again,
I'm through going down,
In you I've a better friend.
I've got this feeling I'm born again.
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Henry Christian Dent Priestman
Born Again lyrics © Mighty Village Records Limited
THANKS @ The Christians, hope they are well. Such a long time ago but still so empowering and sending a light of hope and joy. I need it!
@BruceLee-zd9bw
Very underrated band, should of gained so much more credit and success.
This song drives home such a powerful message to everyone.
The song is delivered with excellent lead vocals from Gary, and brilliant backing vocals from Roger. The music arrangement is absolutely outstanding.
They were a different class to most music back then, and still are today.
I've seen them live twice, and they reproduce all of their songs just as good live as the studio versions.
True artists, not manufactured. 👍😎
@yvonnenairn9649
I'm ALWAYS ALWAYS born again when I listen to the Christian's!!!!! LEGENDS!!!!! 👍👍👍👍👍🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏😘😘😘😘😘
@patriciamccarry4304
❤
@andrewhardy3490
...a better friend ❤🥰 NOT 👹🤖👽or👿🤮😭but🥰🥳😋🤣😝🤩🥸😎ME ! 😎
@alanrabjohns4656
My brother Philips favourite song of 1988 🙏 🕊 ☮ 😌 ☹️ 😊❤ RIP PHILIP 🙏 🕊
@eelponna3145
Not heard this for over 35yrs - still sounds great today in 2024!
@michealkelliher8428
What I love about The Christians, is not only are they proud to be from Liverpool, but they are also really nice fellas. Very principled lads.
Superbly talented.
They were so different to any other music at the time, and still to this day, nobody, but nobody has matched their uniqueness.
@sems5881
A voice like deep velvet. I'm in heaven!!!
@steve998
deep velvet mixed with melting chocolate
@stevenwagstaffe6644
I'm 67 years old
Music has no age limits
I just have to listen to their music everyday
I wish somebody would take me to one of their gigs!!!
@TECKMASSE
Really great moment of music my friends in 1989