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.
Forgotten Town
The Christians Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where there's no time for giving
No sign of loving
In this age of push and shoving
Another man with a broken heart
Can you see the preasure tearing me apart?
There's so much for me to overcome
Should I stay or fight?
How can i get out?
There's no way I can get out
How can I get out?
There's no way i can get out
No life for living
Where there's no time for giving
No reassuring can end what I'm enduring
I'm looking hard for the slightest sign
Hear your words echoing around my mind
I'm starting to believe what me papers say
Yet one more blow
I'm reeling but I can't run away
How can I get out?
There's no way I can get out
How can I get out?
There's no way I can get out
But if you'd open your eyes
You'd know there's so much you could do
If you'd open your eyes
You'd make a thousand wishes come true
Well this must be one of the troubles of the living
In this forgotten town
Don't get me wrong
Hear the hollow words ringing, now the chips are down
No life for living
Where there's no time for giving
No reassuring can end what I'm enduring
How can i get out?
There's no way I can get out
How can i get out?
There's no way i can get out
But if you'd open your eyes
You'd know there's so much you could do
If you'd open your eyes
You'd make a thousand wishes come true
Well this must be one of the troubles of living
In this forgotten town
Don't get me wrong
Hear the hollow words ringing, now the chips are down
The Christians’ song “Forgotten Town” is a poignant commentary on the social and economic struggles of the forgotten towns, the poor, the unemployed, and the marginalized people who live in cities, where they feel neglected, discarded, and undervalued. The song suggests that in such an environment, there is no life for living, where there is no time for giving, and no sign of loving in this age of push and shoving. In the first verse of the song, the artist highlights the feelings of despair, pain, and loneliness that come with the struggles of the forgotten towns, in which the people are under immense pressure.
The lyrics suggest that the man is enduring a broken heart and is overwhelmed by the pressures around him. He feels like there is no way out of the difficult situation he is in. The chorus of the song emphasizes this sense of helplessness, “How can I get out? There's no way I can get out. How can I get out? There's no way I can get out.” The artist is trying to convey the constant struggle and the feeling of hopelessness that the people of the forgotten towns face. The second verse suggests that despite the hardships, the singer is still holding out hope, feeling like they have to overcome the obstacles that have been placed before them.
Line by Line Meaning
No life for living
It is pointless to live when there is no purpose or quality of life
Where there's no time for giving
In a society that values selfishness and instant gratification, there is no room for generosity
No sign of loving
Love and compassion are absent in a world that prioritizes power and competition
In this age of push and shoving
This era is characterized by intense competition and aggression, where people are willing to trample over others to achieve their goals
Another man with a broken heart
Yet another individual who has been emotionally devastated and is struggling to cope
Can you see the pressure tearing me apart?
The immense stress and anxiety is causing me to unravel mentally and emotionally
There's so much for me to overcome
There are numerous obstacles and challenges that I must confront and conquer
Should I stay or fight?
I am faced with the decision to either endure the difficulty or take action to change my circumstances
But where else is there I can run?
I am trapped in this unfavorable environment and there seems to be no escape
No reassuring can end what I'm enduring
Comforting words or gestures cannot alleviate the suffering and hardship I am experiencing
I'm looking hard for the slightest sign
I am searching desperately for any indication that things might get better
Hear your words echoing around my mind
I am constantly replaying the words and advice of others in my head, trying to find a solution
I'm starting to believe what me papers say
I am beginning to accept the negative and hopeless messages that the media is portraying
Yet one more blow
Another setback or disappointment is about to come my way
I'm reeling but I can't run away
I am struggling to cope with the pain and fear, but I cannot escape from the source of it all
But if you'd open your eyes
If only you could see the truth of the situation
You'd know there's so much you could do
There are many opportunities to make a positive impact and bring change
You'd make a thousand wishes come true
With a little effort and kindness, many people's dreams and desires could be fulfilled
Well this must be one of the troubles of living
This problem I am facing is one of the universal challenges that all humans must confront
In this forgotten town
In this place where people are overlooked and ignored
Don't get me wrong
Do not misunderstand my intentions or feelings
Hear the hollow words ringing, now the chips are down
The empty promises and lies are becoming apparent as the situation worsens and failures ensue
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Michael Lewis
What a fantastic group ❤️.
ironbaby1998
Great 🎧
Craig Martin
so much love for this!!
Murray Elias
This is the Popstand Uptown Remix remixed by Murray Elias & Justin Strauss with Eric Kupper on Keyboards. One of my favorite remixes. Hope we did it justice.
Tom Kinsella
Great stuff
C. Mark Sublette
It’s like they had the UB40 horns . Excellent!
dlamiss
Awesome tune awesome upload thanks for this
VinylLight
+dlamiss Welcome, glad u enjoyed it ;)
Gilliman
Superb x
Michael Lewis
I missed them in aberdare. In jaks.love them.