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.
Man Don't Cry
The Christians Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lord it really can't be right
That a love like theirs, so pure and so divine
Suffers one more lonely night
For her faith could move a mountain,
And make a blind man see.
She won't linger in the valley of despair,
So may his spirit never die,
Or his heart be broke in two,
For the faithful far and wide
See the daylight breaking through.
So man don't cry.
Such a clear case of injustice,
Matched with virtue unsurpassed.
How I long to hear the news that we all wait for,
Johnny's coming home at last.
So may his spirit never die,(don't let them take you),
Or his heart be broke in two,(don't let them break you)
For the faithful far and wide,(we'll never forsake you)
See the daylight breaking through,
So man don't cry.
I hope he knows he's still in our prayers,
I only hope he knows that they are people here who care.
So may his spirit never die,(don't let them take you)
Or his heart be torn in two,(don't let them break you),
For the faithful far and wide,(we'll never forsake you),
See the daylight breaking through
So man don't cry.
The Christians' song "Man Don't Cry" is a poignant ballad that reflects on the injustice and suffering experienced by a couple in love. The lyrics suggest that their love is pure and divine, yet they are still subjected to the loneliness and pain of separation. The song is a call to action, urging listeners to remain faithful and optimistic in the face of adversity, and to hold on to hope that their loved ones will one day be free. The lyrics are filled with powerful images of faith and perseverance, as the singer urges the listener to never give up hope.
The song's first verse sets the stage for the rest of the lyrics by describing the singer's sense of disbelief at the injustice of a separation between two people who are clearly meant to be together. The second verse introduces the theme of faith, with the singer declaring that the woman's faith can move mountains and restore sight to the blind. The chorus reinforces the message of hope, with the singer urging the man not to lose heart or give up, as the faithful around the world pray for his release. The final verse is a reaffirmation of this call to faith and hope, with the singer expressing his own hope that the man knows that he is not forgotten, and that there are people who care about him and his plight.
Overall, "Man Don't Cry" is a moving and powerful song that speaks to the human experience of love, loss, and hope. Its themes of faith and perseverance in the face of suffering make it a deeply affecting and inspiring piece of music.
Line by Line Meaning
Times like these, I sit and wonder
In moments of despair, the singer questions the fairness of life
Lord it really can't be right
The singer struggles to understand why bad things happen to good people
That a love like theirs, so pure and so divine
The singer acknowledges the beauty and righteousness of the love between the two people mentioned
Suffers one more lonely night
The artist expresses sadness and empathy for the pain the couple is enduring
For her faith could move a mountain,
The artist recognizes the power and strength of the woman's faith
And make a blind man see.
The singer uses a metaphor to describe the transformative and enlightening impact of the woman's faith
She won't linger in the valley of despair,
The singer has faith that the woman will not lose hope and give up in the face of hardship
As she fights to set him free.
The artist believes that the woman is actively trying to help the man escape from his suffering
So may his spirit never die,
The artist hopes that the man's resilience and strength will never falter
Or his heart be broke in two,
The artist wishes that the man will never give up on life or lose the capacity to love
For the faithful far and wide
The singer acknowledges the existence of a wider community who also believe in the man's resilience and hope for his freedom
See the daylight breaking through.
The artist is optimistic that despite the current sadness, there will be a brighter future ahead
So man don't cry.
The singer implores the man to remain strong and not despair
Such a clear case of injustice,
The singer views the man's suffering as deeply unfair
Matched with virtue unsurpassed.
The singer believes that the man's inherent goodness highlights the injustice of what is happening to him
How I long to hear the news that we all wait for,
The artist expresses a desire to hear of the man's return or release
Johnny's coming home at last.
The artist hopes for the man's return to freedom
I hope he knows he's still in our prayers,
The singer wants the man to feel supported and loved by the wider community
I only hope he knows that they are people here who care.
The singer wants the man to feel less alone and isolated in his suffering
Or his heart be torn in two,
The artist reiterates the importance of the man's resilience and capacity to love
We'll never forsake you,
The artist reassures the man that he will not be abandoned or forgotten
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, BMG Rights Management
Written by: HENRY PRIESTMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
John McCann
This band has to be one of the most under rated bands ever!! That has to be one of the saddest truths ever!! They're simply brilliant, tight, solid sound, great lyrics. one of my all time favs
Joanne Redford
I absolutely agree
Pierre Du Vellaut
The same thing! I « know » them since im a child… I grew up with their music in my ears (on audio tape and after, cds) it’s magic, really… his voice (Garry) like velvet… A few years later, i fell in love with Ireland!
alopecia .heagehog
brilliant band
Peter JP Critchley
I rated The Christians highly from the time I first heard them working with It's Immaterial. People remember the immense first album, but they have continued to make great music. Their new album "We" is fantastic from first (the great "Rise") to last ("Big Red Sky"). A great live act too. I saw them supporting Ray Charles in Liverpool 2001 and they just rocked the place. Top band with some quality tunes. And Garry Christian has such a warm, soulful voice.
pifflepockle
@chris taylor Lovely voice. Glaswegian Celtic fan here. Love the Scousers.
chris taylor
I fully agree with you.
Gary Christian is as good a vocalist as there is, he sings about real life and real emotions.
I've seen them a couple of times in Liverpool and i'm gonna see them again in Pershore in November.
I never tire of seeing them, great live too
Cambridge LP
This could well be one of the finer songs of the last 30 years...so, so underrated
Stiffd1
I saw them debut in Royal Court, NOW that was a concert! And more recently they are also highly regarded across the UK as one of the best live acts to catch. Read it and weep if you don't.
Kimberley Freeth
Love this band! Discovered them back in 1993, by a friend who had their tape. Minute I heard this song, I was gone! Also love 'Words' with its beautiful music. Their lyrics are awsum too!