Their style has mixed Texas blues with the harmonica-laced swamp blues sounds of the likes of Slim Harpo and Lazy Lester, both of whom the T-Birds have covered. Their third album, 1981's 'Butt Rockin'', took the band closer to classic rhythm and blues while featuring added piano and brass section sounds played by additional musicians. The band broke into the mainstream in 1986 with their album 'Tuff Enuff'. The single of the same name was featured in the Kirk Douglas and Burt Lancaster film 'Tough Guys' alongside their follow-up single, which they titled "Wrap It Up". A lively, powerful tune, "Tuff Enuff" has been played frequently over the years on many rock n roll stations. The band's music was also played in John Cusack's 1987 movie 'Hot Pursuit'.
The Fabulous Thunderbirds' next album, titled 'Hot Number', fell off the charts quickly and alienated many of the bands' long-time fans due to its slick, pop-oriented sound. The band then began a long series of line-up changes and obscure, yet somewhat improved, albums throughout the 90s. Drummer Mike Buck left the band in 1980, and guitarist Jimmie Vaughan left in 1990. More recently, the group has had line-up made up of original member Kim Wilson alongside guitarist/vocals Nick Curran, guitarist Kirk Flecther, Jimi Bott on drums, Ronnie James Weber on bass, and former Canned Heat member Gene Taylor on keyboards.
The official T-Birds website is at http://www.fabulousthunderbirds.com/
Alumni of the T-birds include:
Duke Robillard Fran Cristina Gene Taylor Jimi Bott Keith Ferguson Kid Bangham Kirk Fletcher Mike Buck Preston Hubbard Richard Innes Ronnie James Weber Steve Hodges Willie Campbell Kid Ramos Jimmie Vaughan Nick Curran Troy Gon
Wasted Tears
The Fabulous Thunderbirds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She's been gone two weeks, seems like years
Since I've been crying these wasted tears, my wasted tears
She said goodbye, I said so long
I guess I brought this on my own
Just one phone, knowing that you were near
Might just dry up these wasted tears, my wasted tears
We'd been together a long long time
Now I'm crying
So life goes on, I must say
Everyday is payday and I've got to pay and pay and pay
I've realized my worst fears, now I'm drowning in wasted tears my wasted tears
We'd been together a long long time
Everything seem to be fine, now she's gone, she's gone and I'm to blame
Now I'm crying
So life go on I must say
Everyday is payday and I've got to pay and pay and pay
I've realized my worst fears, now I'm drowning in wasted tears my wasted tears
My wasted tears, my wasted tears my wasted tears
In the song "Wasted Tears" by The Fabulous Thunderbirds, the singer is lamenting the loss of his love. He compares his tears to rain, meaning that they are coming down from his eyes uncontrollably. He's been crying for two weeks since she left, and it feels like years because he misses her so much. He knows that he's responsible for her leaving because he said "goodbye" when he should have said "I love you." Now he's regretting his actions and wishing he could go back in time to fix his mistakes.
The line "Now I'm drowning in wasted tears" is particularly poignant because it implies that not only is he mourning the loss of his love, but he's also aware that his tears are futile. There's nothing he can do to change the past, so he's just wallowing in his own sorrow. The song ends on a note of resignation; he realizes that life goes on and that he has to keep going, even though he's paying the price for his mistakes.
Overall, the song is a classic blues ballad about love lost and the pain that comes with it. The lyrics are straightforward and heartfelt, and the music perfectly captures the mood of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
My wasted tears they fall like rain, and my heart is in pain
I am suffering deeply and shedding tears that are pointless because they won't bring my loved one back
She's been gone two weeks, seems like years
Time has slowed down and life has lost its color since my loved one left
Since I've been crying these wasted tears, my wasted tears
I can't stop crying, but deep down I know that it won't change anything
She said goodbye, I said so long
She left me, but I never really took the time to say a proper goodbye
I guess I brought this on my own
I have to take responsibility for my actions that led to this situation
Just one phone, knowing that you were near
If only I could hear your voice or know that you're near, it might ease the pain
Might just dry up these wasted tears, my wasted tears
The hope that seeing or hearing from my loved one might stop my endless tears
We'd been together a long long time
Our relationship had lasted for a significant period of time
Everything seem to be fine, now she's gone and I'm to blame
Things were good until I messed up and caused her to leave
So life goes on, I must say
Even though it hurts, I have to accept that life goes on
Everyday is payday and I've got to pay and pay and pay
I am constantly paying the price for my mistakes and dealing with the consequences
I've realized my worst fears, now I'm drowning in wasted tears my wasted tears
I've always feared this moment, and now that it's here, I can't stop crying and feeling hopeless
My wasted tears, my wasted tears my wasted tears
Repeating the phrase emphasizes the futility of my tears and how they won't change anything
Contributed by Maya R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.