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.
The Bottle
The Christians Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
See that black boy over there, runnin' scared
his ol' man's in a bottle.
He done quit his 9 to 5 to drink full time
so now he's livin' in the bottle.
See that Black boy over there, runnin' scared
his ol' man got a problem
woman's weddin' ring for a bottle.
And don't you think it's a crime
when time after time,
And don't you think it's a crime
when time after time, people in the bottle.
See that sister, she look fine before she
started drinkin' wine
from the bottle.
Said her ol' man committed a crime
and he's doin' time,
so now she's in the bottle.
She's out there on the avenue, all by herself
sho' needs help from the bottle.
Preacherman tried to help her out,
she cussed him out and hit him in the head with a bottle.
And don't you think it's a crime
when time after time, people in the bottle.
See that gent in the wrinkled suit
he done damn near blown his cool
to the bottle
He wuz a doctor helpin' young girls along
if they wuzn't too far gone to have problems.
But defenders of the dollar eagle
Said "What you doin', Doc, it ain't legal,"
and now he's in the bottle.
Now we watch him everyday tryin' to
chase the pigeons away
from the bottle.
And don't you think it's a crime
when time after time, people in the bottle.
"The Bottle" by The Christians is a poignant song that sheds light on the tragedy of alcoholism and its destructive impact on individuals and families. The song tells the stories of several people who, for various reasons, have turned to alcohol as a means of coping with their problems. The first verse depicts a young black man who has quit his job to drink full time, leaving behind his wife and son. He has pawned off everything they have for money to buy alcohol, and his son is left to run scared, unsure of what lies ahead. The second verse is about a woman whose husband is in jail, and she turns to drinking as a way of dulling her pain. She is alone, and when a preacher tries to help her, she lashes out violently, highlighting the desperation and hopelessness she feels.
The third verse is about a doctor who used to help young girls, but lost his license and turned to drinking. He is seen chasing pigeons away from his bottle, a sad and broken man. The song repeats the line "And don't you think it's a crime when time after time, people in the bottle," highlighting the cyclical nature of alcoholism and the fact that it perpetuates itself over time.
Line by Line Meaning
Time after time
Repeatedly
See that black boy over there, runnin' scared
his ol' man's in a bottle.
Notice that scared Black boy running over there? His father has a drinking problem which caused him to lose his job and now he's a full-time drinker.
He done quit his 9 to 5 to drink full time
so now he's livin' in the bottle.
He quit his job to drink full-time and now he's stuck inside the bottle.
See that Black boy over there, runnin' scared
his ol' man got a problem
Pawned off damn near everything, his ol' woman's weddin' ring for a bottle.
That Black boy still running scared? His father's problem caused him to sell almost everything they had - even his wife's wedding ring - just to get a bottle.
And don't you think it's a crime
when time after time,
And don't you think it's a crime
when time after time, people in the bottle.
Isn't it wrong that people keep falling into addiction, and no one seems to help them to the point that they're stuck in the bottle?
See that sister, she look fine before she
started drinkin' wine
from the bottle.
That woman looked good before she started drinking wine from the bottle.
Said her ol' man committed a crime
and he's doin' time,
so now she's in the bottle.
Her husband committed a crime, and now he's in prison. She started to drink after that.
She's out there on the avenue, all by herself
sho' needs help from the bottle.
She's all alone on the street and feels like she needs help from the bottle.
Preacherman tried to help her out,
she cussed him out and hit him in the head with a bottle.
A preacher tried to help her, but she cussed him out and hit him with a bottle!
See that gent in the wrinkled suit
he done damn near blown his cool
to the bottle
That guy in the rumpled suit? He’s just about flipped out and turned to the bottle.
He wuz a doctor helpin' young girls along
if they wuzn't too far gone to have problems.
He was a doctor. He only helped young girls who hadn't gone too far into addiction.
But defenders of the dollar eagle
Said "What you doin', Doc, it ain't legal,"
and now he's in the bottle.
Those who defend the dollar spoke against him and said his practices were not legal. This caused him to lose his license and turn to the bottle.
Now we watch him everyday tryin' to
chase the pigeons away
from the bottle.
Now we just watch him every day, trying to scare the pigeons away from the bottle he's trapped in.
And don't you think it's a crime
when time after time, people in the bottle.
It's a tragedy that people keep falling to addiction and are trapped in a bottle.
Contributed by Jackson E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@drumless4all476
Summer 1993, I was 11, riding my bicycle with my Walkman playing this song in my ears. When life was simple and problems were so few.
@gatabarbieri1875
Gil, I think you may Rest In Peace .
The Cristians have made an AMAZING, BEAUTUFUL , PERFECT cover of your song, which I consider being - in this genre -one of the greatest songs ever..❤❤❤
@debbiebaverstock2269
Christians were one of the most underrated bands of all time. First saw them live about 30 years ago. One of the best live bands I’ve ever seen !!
@catanlorca
I totally agree... excellent band with unique sound which never will grow old
@olliemorrissey8948
Amen brother
@debbiebaverstock2269
@@olliemorrissey8948 Amen indeed!! They really were one of my favourite bands back in the day. I know they still play but not with the original line up. I think Gary Christian’s brother committed suicide or one of the band did 😩 I’m just going to listen to them now xx
@geoffreyjonathanwilson5826
I totally agree 😌
@velvetindigonight
Interesting comment.
I pondered on this and wondered if part of their failure to make it big, long term and be promoted and supported along the lines of other huge acts from the eighties despite their obvious talent, harmonies and looks, was that given the political unrest of the eighties especially the youth riots they were as an intelligent, thoughtful band of young men of black and white heritage not what those at the ‘top of the food chain’ wanted promoted via Top of the Pops, the media and kids mags……. ?
Racism and ‘divide and rule’ were still dominant themes back then?
No offence meant.
@thefunkydread62
Great cover of a Gil Scott Heron classic. Saw them as a support act to Level 42, Nov 2023, brilliant
@fender921100
Simply amazing harmonies and musicianship. Absolutely love this band