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.
When The Fingers Point
The Christians Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yes it's been decided you've done wrong
And there's no single voice
That will stand up and say
Oh just what has he done?
For they all read the news
And it's surely proof enough for them
And they flatly refuse to consider oh
Cause when the fingers point... whoah
It's too much to take
Too much to take
Too much to take
Too much to take
And when the fingers point... yeah
It makes your heart break
Now you're moving away
For you can not take it anymore
No amount of explaining can alter the truth
It's all happened before
(Where can you go)
Where can you go
Where the evil eyes won't follow on
And the curtains won't move
Every time you walk by
Boy just what have you done?
Cause when the fingers point... Oh
It's too much to take
Too much to take
Too much to take
Too much to take
And when the fingers point... Oh
It makes your heart break
Too much to take
So you find a new home and a new place to hide
Where's there's peace and shelter from the poison outside
But before too long I'll be staring at the walls
Don't kid yourself son, it's just a matter of time
Cause when the fingers point... Whoa Oh
Fingers point...
Oh when the fingers point
Makes your heart break
Cause when the fingers point... Oh
It's too much to take
Too much to take
Too much to take
Too much to take
And when the fingers point... Oh
It makes your heart break.
The Christians' "When The Fingers Point" lyrics center on a person who has been accused of doing wrong without any solid proof to back up the claims. The song expresses the pain and isolation one experiences when being unfairly judged by others. The sense of helplessness is heightened, as the accused person looks for a new place to hide, a new home of refuge where the evil eyes won’t follow.
The phrase "When The Fingers Point" implies that the accused person has become a target of unsubstantiated accusations. They have no control over how their story is being interpreted or what people think of them. The chorus suggests an emotional and psychological impact as the person feels helpless under the scrutiny of the public. The line "it's too much to take" repeated multiple times is a reflection of the overwhelming emotions of being unfairly identified as a wrongdoer.
The second verse illustrates the fearful uncertainty that a person might feel when facing such accusations. They wonder where they can go or hide from unwanted attention even though they might not be guilty. "Every time you walk by, boy just what have you done?" indicates that the person is feeling guilty even though there may be no reason to feel so. They created a new place to hide, but they know it's just a matter of time before the walls close in on them.
Line by Line Meaning
You're the man with no choice
You are trapped in a situation where you have no way out
Yes it's been decided you've done wrong
People have already concluded that you are guilty without giving you a fair hearing
And there's no single voice
There is no one who is willing to defend you or speak up for you
That will stand up and say
There is no one brave enough to speak the truth or challenge the accusation against you
Oh just what has he done?
Everyone is asking the same question about what you have done wrong
For they all read the news
People's judgment is based solely on media reports and rumors without factual evidence
And it's surely proof enough for them
People are convinced that what they read is enough evidence to prove your guilt
And they flatly refuse to consider oh
People refuse to consider any alternative explanation or possibility of your innocence
Was he really to blame?
No one is interested in knowing the truth and the possibility of your innocence
Cause when the fingers point... whoah
When people accuse you, it's overwhelming and unbearable
It's too much to take
The weight of people's judgment is too much to bear
And when the fingers point... yeah
The accusation against you breaks your heart and spirit
Now you're moving away
You are forced to leave your home and community to escape from the judgment and accusation
For you can not take it anymore
The pressure and stress are too much to bear anymore
No amount of explaining can alter the truth
People have made up their minds, and no explanation from you can change their opinion
It's all happened before
This kind of accusation and judgment has happened before, and it's not new
(Where can you go)
You are wondering where to go and hide to avoid the evil eyes and accusation
Where the evil eyes won't follow on
You are seeking a place where you can find peace and safety from people's judgment and accusation
And the curtains won't move
You are looking for a place where there won't be any prying eyes or nosy neighbors to spy on you
Every time you walk by
You are tired of people looking at you with suspicion and judgment wherever you go
Boy just what have you done?
The people's judgment and accusation are weighing heavily on you, and you wonder what you have done to deserve it
So you find a new home and a new place to hide
You finally find a safe haven where you can escape from the persecution and judgment
Where's there's peace and shelter from the poison outside
You find a place where you can find peace and safety from people's judgment and accusations
But before too long I'll be staring at the walls
You know that your safety is temporary, and soon you will feel trapped and isolated again
Don't kid yourself son, it's just a matter of time
You know that eventually, the judgment and accusation will catch up with you again no matter how hard you try to hide.
Fingers point...
People's fingers keep pointing at you, accusing you of wrongdoing
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: HENRY PRIESTMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Calogero Castaldo
You're the man with no choice
Yes it's been decided you've done wrong
And their's no single voice
That will stand up and say
Oh just what has he done?
For they all read the news
And it's surely proof enough for them
And they flatly refuse to consider oh
Was he really to blame?
Cause when the fingers point... whoah
It's too much to take
Too much to take
Too much to take
Too much to take
And when the fingers point... yeah
It makes your heart break
Now you're moving away
For you can not take it anymore
No amount of explaining can alter the truth
It's all happened before
(Where can you go)
Where can you go
Where the evil eyes won't follow on
And the curtains won't move
Every time you walk by
Boy just what have you done?
Cause when the fingers point... Oh
It's too much to take
Too much to take
Too much to take
Too much to take
And when the fingers point... Oh
It makes your heart break
Too much to take
(Too much to take)
(Too much to take)
(Too much to take)
So you find a new home and a new place to hide
Where's there's peace and shelter from the poison outside
But before too long I'll be staring at the walls
Don't kid yourself son, it's just a matter of time
Cause when the fingers point... Whoa Oh
Fingers point...
Oh when the fingers point
Makes your heart break
Cause when the fingers point... Oh
It's too much to take
Too much to take
Too much to take
Too much to take
And when the fingers point... Oh
It makes your heart break
Paul James Brady NSNO
Garry's voice (and lyrics) are better than 99% of the stuff in the charts today. Top scouse band.
John Jones
Only 99%?
brummiejojo
One of the best bands of the late 80s which are often overlooked. I'm sharing this on FB to jog a few memories.
Paul James Brady NSNO
Garry is on facebook give him an add, really nice lad
Holygasoline
Saw them last week, awesome and got better with age !
Clarissa J
Superb group. Amazingly talented and one of the gems that never got the credit they deserve!
John Jones
Hearing this now over 20 years since release...its still fantastic.
Cornel Bébié
Thanks for this excellent video. Gary Christian is one of the greatest soul singers ever. He's definitely fantastic. Love this group and thanks again for keeping soul alive.
Craney TV
Nobody can create music like this in the present..
"The bottle" and "Father" are the songs that drew me into this music.
David Elliott
Brilliant vocals and brilliant lyrics!!