Bickers left in 1989 and was replaced by Simon Walker, who in turn was replaced by Simon Mawby in 1992. Andrea Heukamp left the band in 1988, returning briefly in 1991.
From the same genus as Echo and the Bunnymen, My Bloody Valentine and Jesus and Mary Chain, The House of Love arrived on the scene in the late 1980s with a psychedelic, textural rock sound. Songwriter Guy Chadwick provided personal, romantic musings over lush layers of 80s studio bliss, enhanced by Terry Bickers' guitar-playing.
The band formed in Camberwell, London, England in 1986, and released a series of singles, leading to their debut untitled album on Creation Records in 1988. They then signed to Fontana in a whirl of publicity and money. Things went off the rails at first as their next two singles flopped and work on their new album progressed slowly. Tensions grew between Chadwick and Bickers, exacerbated by drug use, leading to Bickers's departure in 1989. But the resulting album (again officially untitled but usually referred to as the 'Butterfly' album after its cover design) went top 10; and a remake of their early single Shine On caught the retro guitar-pop fashion in the wake of the Stone Roses and was a moderate hit. Later in 1991 a compilation of B-sides and outtakes was released, usually referred to as A Spy In The House Of Love as a paperback of the Anaïs Nin novel of the same title appears in the cover photo.
The following album Babe Rainbow (1992) failed to follow the success of the Butterfly album: its lush, pristine production rendered hopelessly out of date by the emergence of the rave-influenced Madchester scene and the US grunge invasion. Their final album, Audience With the Mind (1993) barely charted and the group disbanded.
Considering the previous animosity between Guy Chadwick and Terry Bickers, there was some surprise when in 2005 the two reformed The House of Love. Pete Evans returned on drums and Matt Jury handled bass duties. They went on to tour the U.K. and Ireland and release an album Days Run Away to some praise.
In March 2008 House Of Love played in Lima, Peru, for their first South American performance ever. Almost the entire concert is to be seen on YouTube. The gig featured two new songs bringing hope to fans that the band is still working on new material. In September 2008 Guy played solo at the South Pop festival in Isla Cristina, Spain.
After another long hiatus, Guy Chadwick reformed the group with an all-new lineup, and in 2022 released the album "A State of Grace."
road
The House of Love Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let's ignore him, he's ugly, no one's song
Check that mind, so relaxed and pure, in honesty
Boy just watch your jaw
There are times when there could be a better way
Sure it's cold, but such a better way
Steal a car, the highway calls
Suck your cheeks
Dance, boy, down the road
Born abroad, no relation here
Talk so funny, why did you bother at all
Fist and money, and float and let it go
You got more to say
You got so much more to say
There are times when there could be a better way
Sure it's cold, but such a better way
Steal a car, the highway calls
Stick some pins in your toes
Suck your cheeks
Dance, boy, down the road
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah.
The House of Love's song "Road" is a perfect example of a song whose lyrics are deceptively simple on the surface, but actually run quite deep upon closer examination. One interpretation of the lyrics is that they describe the experience of an outsider who is ignored and put down by the people around him. The boy in question is seen as ugly and strange, and people want to avoid him. However, the song suggests that this boy has a pure and honest mind that is worth paying attention to, despite appearances. The lyrics seem to be encouraging the boy to stay true to himself and not let the opinions of others get him down.
However, the song takes a darker turn in the chorus, where the lyrics suggest that the "better way" may involve stealing a car and hitting the highway. The boy is encouraged to dance down the road with pins in his toes and cheeks sucked in, almost as if he is putting on a performance for the people who have ignored him all his life. This could be seen as a metaphor for breaking free from society's expectations and conventions, and embracing one's own inner weirdness and creativity.
Overall, "Road" is a multi-layered song that can be interpreted in a variety of ways, but it ultimately celebrates individuality and self-expression in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Who that's boy, always on his own
A boy who seems isolated and alone.
Let's ignore him, he's ugly, no one's song
People don't pay attention to him because they find him unappealing.
Check that mind, so relaxed and pure, in honesty
Despite being ignored by others, the boy has a calm and honest personality.
Boy just watch your jaw
The boy is advised to be cautious in his interactions with others.
There are times when there could be a better way
Sometimes, there are alternatives that could lead to a better outcome.
Sure it's cold, but such a better way
Although it may seem difficult or uncomfortable, there may be a more beneficial path to take.
Steal a car, the highway calls
Going on an adventure or taking risks, as symbolized by a car and the open road, can be tempting.
Stick some pins in your toes
The idea of doing something extreme or pushing oneself can be exciting, even if it causes physical discomfort.
Suck your cheeks
This could be a reference to sucking in one's cheeks to look more attractive or serious, as the boy is encouraged to present himself confidently.
Dance, boy, down the road
The boy is being urged to live life to the fullest and enjoy the wild adventure that the road represents.
Born abroad, no relation here
The boy is described as an outsider, possibly an immigrant with no strong connections to the people around him.
Talk so funny, why did you bother at all
The boy's accent or manner of speaking is mocked or dismissed by others.
Fist and money, and float and let it go
People care about material possessions and power, but the boy is advised to let go of those concerns and live freely.
You got more to say
The boy has a unique perspective or voice that should be expressed.
You got so much more to say
Emphasizes that the boy has a lot of untapped potential and should not be underestimated.
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah.
Refrain or repeating chorus of the song.
Contributed by Sydney I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Daniel Saxer
on You Don't Understand
Lyrics correction: (according to my ears;-)
Drown (not down) the soul and through the ages
How money's cooked, inside us all