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

The Also Rans
The Cross Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Fucked
Again
I was born on the twenty second floor of a bird cage
I was bound to rock - I was born to rage
When your daddy gets drunk and your ma has no hope
And you're tough and you're young and you got enough rope
And you make a wrong turn and you make some mistakes
You run outta control and you ain't got no brakes

And the country's a wreck and the government's cruel
Then you better check out - if you wanna be cool

It's a hard road - in a world that stinks
God have mercy on the man that thinks
It's a hard road - in a world that sucks
God don't love you when you're out of luck

So I work real hard and I earn my pay
And I drink all night - it's the only way
To make some fun outta life - just a little bit more
And when I get up my nerve - I'm gonna rob me a store
Or even find me a girl - you never know your luck
And she'll cook and she'll clean - just to make a few bucks
It's a grand old world - going down the pan
And there ain't no cure - for an also ran

Yeah it's a hard road - in a world that stinks
God have mercy on a man that thinks
Yeah it's a hard road - we're going down the pan
God have mercy on the also rans

You gotta have mercy on the also rans
If you wanna get out you gotta be desperate Dan
You know what I mean
A hard road

It's a hard road - when you're on your own
It's a hard road - when your skin's the wrong tone
It's a hard road - if your face don't fit
It's a hard road - you gotta take a lotta shit

'Cos God don't love you when you got no bucks
It's a hard road - oh yeah
God don't love you when you're outta luck - yeah

God have mercy (hard road)
God have mercy (hard road)
Have mercy (hard road) on the also rans
(hard road)
God have mercy (hard road)

God have mercy (hard road) on the also rans
Yeah

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of The Cross's "The Also Rans" paint a picture of a tough and bleak world where success is reserved only for a lucky few. The song begins with a reference to being born on the twenty-second floor of a birdcage, which suggests growing up trapped and confined in a difficult environment. Despite the obstacles, the singer is determined to rock and rage against the injustice he experiences. However, he understands that the road ahead is hard and that success is not guaranteed. The lyrics allude to the difficulties of being an outsider in a society that does not value him, where government cruelty and a country in chaos create a sense of despair.

The singer's solution is to work hard and drink hard to make the most of his life. He entertains the idea of robbing a store or finding a woman who can "cook and clean just to make a few bucks." He knows that his dreams might not come true, and he might end up as an "also ran," someone who doesn't make it. The song ends with the plea to have mercy on the also rans and a reminder that it's a hard road for everyone.

Overall, "The Also Rans" is a song that speaks to the feeling of hopelessness and desperation that many people experience in their lives. It acknowledges the difficulty of trying to make it in a world where opportunities are limited, and success is not guaranteed.

Line by Line Meaning

Fucked
Feeling hopeless and in despair

Again
Once again experiencing a difficult situation

I was born on the twenty second floor of a bird cage
Feeling trapped in a difficult environment

I was bound to rock - I was born to rage
Feeling destined to rebel and fight against injustices

When your daddy gets drunk and your ma has no hope
Growing up in a dysfunctional family where parents struggle with addiction and mental health issues

And you're tough and you're young and you got enough rope
Feeling like you have enough strength and resources to face challenges

And you make a wrong turn and you make some mistakes
Experiencing setbacks and errors in judgement

You run outta control and you ain't got no brakes
Feeling like you don't have any control over your actions or your life

And the country's a wreck and the government's cruel
Feeling disillusioned with the state of the world and the politics governing it

Then you better check out - if you wanna be cool
Advising to remove oneself from the negative circumstances to maintain a cool demeanor

It's a hard road - in a world that stinks
Life is difficult and unpleasant, filled with challenges and struggles

God have mercy on the man that thinks
Requesting divine intervention for those who think critically and challenge authority

It's a hard road - in a world that sucks
Life is depressing and unsatisfying, with nothing to look forward to

God don't love you when you're out of luck
Belief that divine intervention is not present in times of bad luck or misfortune

So I work real hard and I earn my pay
Working tirelessly to earn a living

And I drink all night - it's the only way
Resorting to alcohol as a means of coping with life's challenges

To make some fun outta life - just a little bit more
Seeking enjoyment in life despite the hardships

And when I get up my nerve - I'm gonna rob me a store
Considering illegal activities as a means of making money

Or even find me a girl - you never know your luck
Thinking that good luck might come in the form of a romantic partner or companion

And she'll cook and she'll clean - just to make a few bucks
Having low expectations for a partner, based on their willingness to do housework for money

It's a grand old world - going down the pan
Sarcasm and irony used to describe how terrible the world is

And there ain't no cure - for an also ran
There is no solution for those who are always in last place or behind the winners

You gotta have mercy on the also rans
Asking for compassion and sympathy towards those who always come in last

If you wanna get out you gotta be desperate Dan
Requiring a high level of desperation and drive to escape the limitations placed on oneself

You know what I mean
Asking for understanding and agreement

It's a hard road - when you're on your own
Feeling isolated and alone in one's struggles

It's a hard road - when your skin's the wrong tone
Experiencing discrimination or prejudice based on race or ethnicity

It's a hard road - if your face don't fit
Feeling like one doesn't fit into society's standards or expectations

It's a hard road - you gotta take a lotta shit
Enduring a lot of negativity and criticism from others

'Cos God don't love you when you got no bucks
Beliefs that one's worth is measured by their financial status

It's a hard road - oh yeah
Repeating that life is tough and filled with challenges

God don't love you when you're outta luck - yeah
Reinforcing belief that divine intervention is not present during times of bad luck or misfortune

God have mercy (hard road)
Asking for divine mercy and intervention to cope with life's hardships

Have mercy (hard road) on the also rans
Asking for divine mercy and intervention to help those who always come in last

(hard road)
Reiterating that life is hard and filled with challenges

God have mercy (hard road)
Asking for divine mercy and intervention to cope with life's hardships

God have mercy (hard road) on the also rans
Asking for divine mercy and intervention to help those who always come in last

Yeah
Exclamation of agreement or affirmation

Contributed by Brody I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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04Baby It's Alright4:06

05Ain't Put Nothin' Down4:31

06The Also Rans5:28

PT5M28S

The Cross

07Millionaire3:43

08Put It All Down To Love3:35

09Hand of Fools4:34

10Life Changes5:54

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Anij 822

3y↑1

Fucked - again

I was born on the twenty second floor of a bird cage
I was bound to rock - I was born to rage
When your daddy gets drunk and your ma has no hope
And you're tough and you're young and you got enough rope

And you make a wrong turn and you make some mistakes
You run outta control and you ain't got no brakes
And the country's a wreck and the government's cruel
Then you better check out - if you wanna be cool

It's a hard road - in a world that stinks
God have mercy on a man that thinks
It's a hard road - in a world that sucks
God don't love you when you're out of luck

So I work real hard and I earn my pay
And I drink all night - it's the only way
To make some fun outta life - just a little bit more
And when I get up my nerve - I'm gonna rob me a store
Or even find me a girl - you never know your luck
And she'll cook and she'll clean - just to make a few bucks
It's a grand old world - going down the pan
And there ain't no cure - for the also rans

Yeah it's a hard road - in a world that stinks
God have mercy on a man that thinks
Yeah it's a hard road - we're going down the pan
God have mercy on the also rans

You gotta have mercy on the also rans
If you wanna get out you gotta be a desperate Dan
You know what I mean
A hard road

It's a hard road - when you're on your own
It's a hard road - when your skin's the wrong tone
It's a hard road - if your your face don't fit
It's a hard road - you gotta take alotta shit

Cos God don't love you when you got no bucks
It's a hard road
God don't love you when you're outta luck
God have mercy

Written by Roger Taylor