The late-'80s side project of Queen's drummer Roger Taylor, the Cross were … Read Full Bio ↴The late-'80s side project of Queen's drummer Roger Taylor, the Cross were originally a classic rock band with dance influences, then abandoned the dance aspect of their sound and produced two straight forward rock albums. Although Taylor stated when the band formed in 1987, that the group would be a force to be reckoned with within six months, the group never took off in any market, except Germany, and broke up in 1993. With the conclusion of Queen's Magic Tour in 1986, Roger Taylor took the opportunity of a lack of activity on the Queen front to form his own band, which he named the Cross. Leaving his drum kit behind, Taylor assumed the duties of rhythm guitarist and lead vocalist for the group. Outside of recruiting Queen's tour keyboardist, Spike Edney, the rest of Taylor's new band were found through an ad placed in the music press. They were a group of unknowns, consisting of Clayton Moss (guitar), Peter Noone (bass guitar), and Josh Macrae (drums). With a group of songs already written, Taylor decided to record the first Cross album, Shove It, largely by himself and then tour with his new band. A hybrid of classic rock and dance influences, the album received some praise in the British music press but failed to get higher than the bottom of the album charts, as did it's three singles. In America, the album failed to chart and the group would not release another album there. The band resumed operations after the next Queen album with Mad, Bad and Dangerous to Know, which was written by all the members in the band and embraced a classic rock sound. The lead single, "Power to Love," only dented the bottom of the British charts, while the album failed to chart at all. However, the band did continue to do well in Germany, and, with no record support in England, released their third album, Blue Rock, in that country only. After a final gig in 1993, the band called it a day. Taylor went on to record solo albums a
nd work with Queen, while Edney later helped found the S. A. S. Band, and Peter Noone joined Miss World.
Biography by Geoff Orens

2)
The Cross (더 크로스) is a korean rock band formed in 2003.

Members:

- Lee Si-Ha (이시하), 29/10/1982 - Composition, back vocals, piano, guitar, leader
- Kim Kyeong-Hyeon (김경현), 02/08/1982 - Main vocals

Former members:

- Kim Hyeok-Keon (김혁건), 12/04/1982 – Main vocals

3)
The Cross is also a Traditional Metal/Progressive Metal band with one Demo called Metal From Above. It was reissued through Steel Legacy(333 LP and 1000 CD)in 2007.

4)
the CROSS is also a Japanese duo, which consists of Daisuke and ショーガ (Syo-ga).
Website: http://thecross.web.fc2.com/index.html (in Japanese)

5)
The Cross is doom metal band with black metal influences from Brazil

Rough Justice
The Cross Lyrics

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Your criminal eyes, that see straight through
We criminalize - your kind of voodoo
Make me sell my soul for the easy life
Sell my mother, trade in my wife

Rough justice - alright - rough justice on the streets tonight
Rough justice - we're the chosen few
If you want to scream, if you want to fight

Better take it to the man with the big house - in white

It's rough justice
Your bleeding heart got a hold on me
Your criminal heart won't let me be
For finer feelings I didn't feel the need

When I'm dealing you'd better watch my speed
Get rough

Rough justice - alright
Rough justice - on the streets tonight
Rough justice - we're the chosen few
Rough justice - somebody loosened my screws

Vigilante man of the neighborhood
Well I ain't like Doris Day, and I ain't no Robin Hood
It's rough justice
Your criminal eyes - don't cut no ice

We criminalize - don't take no outside advice
It's a real cruel life when you have to lose it

It's a heavy knife, when you have to use it
It's rough justice - it's rough justice

Overall Meaning

The song "Rough Justice" by the band The Cross is a commentary on the harsh realities of life and the need to take matters into your own hands. The lyrics describe a world where those who have power are able to manipulate and control those who do not. The first verse talks about the criminal eyes of those who are able to see through the lies and deceit of the powerful. The lyrics then go on to describe a world where people are forced to sell their souls and make difficult choices in order to survive.

The chorus of the song is a rallying cry for those who are often overlooked or mistreated by society. The phrase "rough justice" suggests that sometimes the only way to get justice is through force or violence. The lyrics also mention the need to take it to the man with the big house in white, which could be interpreted as a reference to the wealthy and powerful elite.

The rest of the song reinforces this message by describing the need to be tough and ruthless in order to survive in a cruel world. The lyrics suggest that it is better to be the vigilante man of the neighborhood than to be a naïve and helpless victim.

Overall, "Rough Justice" is a powerful and thought-provoking song that challenges our assumptions about justice and power.

Line by Line Meaning

Your criminal eyes, that see straight through
Your deceptive and shrewd eyes that are able to penetrate through facade or pretense

We criminalize - your kind of voodoo
We render your type of magic or hypnosis illegal or criminal

Make me sell my soul for the easy life
I am willing to give up my moral values or beliefs to attain a comfortable and effortless existence

Sell my mother, trade in my wife
I am willing to betray my loved ones, even my mother or wife, for material or financial gain

Rough justice - alright - rough justice on the streets tonight
Severe treatment or punishment is acceptable - it is being dealt out in the city tonight

Rough justice - we're the chosen few
Harsh punitive measures are reserved for a select group of individuals

If you want to scream, if you want to fight
If you feel wronged and want to protest or retaliate

Better take it to the man with the big house - in white
It's best to address and confront those in power, those with white-collar jobs and big houses

It's rough justice
The justice being served is harsh and unforgiving

Your bleeding heart got a hold on me
Your compassionate or generous nature has a grip on me

Your criminal heart won't let me be
Your immoral or wicked heart won't release its hold on me

For finer feelings I didn't feel the need
I did not require or desire tender emotions or sentiments

When I'm dealing you'd better watch my speed
When I'm negotiating or making transactions, you should be cautious of my rapid pace or lack of thoroughness

Rough justice - alright
Rigorous and punishing justice is acceptable

Rough justice - on the streets tonight
In the city tonight, severe justice is being served

Rough justice - we're the chosen few
The harsh justice being meted out is only for a select group of people

Rough justice - somebody loosened my screws
The merciless and severe punishment has caused me to become unbalanced or crazed

Vigilante man of the neighborhood
A person who takes the law into their own hands and enforces it in the community

Well I ain't like Doris Day, and I ain't no Robin Hood
I'm not like a sweet and innocent actress, nor am I a benevolent outlaw who steals from the rich to give to the poor.

Your criminal eyes - don't cut no ice
Your deceitful or manipulative eyes don't affect me or hold any sway over me

We criminalize - don't take no outside advice
We categorize your actions as unlawful and reject any suggestions or recommendations from external sources

It's a real cruel life when you have to lose it
It's a truly brutal and merciless existence when you are forced to surrender it

It's a heavy knife, when you have to use it
It's an emotionally burdensome and difficult decision when you have to employ harsh and violent methods

It's rough justice - it's rough justice
The justice being served is severe and unyielding, and it will not be changed or made easier for anyone.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ROGER MEDDOWS TAYLOR

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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