1. The Knack was an American new wave/power pop band from Detroit, Michigan, based in Los Angeles. They rose to fame with their first single, "My Sharona", which was an international hit in 1979. The power pop of "My Sharona", coupled with the band's retro 60s look, earned the band comparisons to The Beatles (though the band members themselves viewed the 'New Beatles' label as tongue-in-cheek). Many music critics hated disco, which dominated the music industry at the time, and were, at best, coolly receptive to other developing trends like punk, electronica, and heavy metal.
The Knack's hard rock influences earned them some critical credibility and massive commercial success with their debut album, 1979's 'Get The Knack'. The band had formed in May 1978, known at first as '20/20', and, after shopping their demo tape to various record labels without success, they began playing the local club circuit. Quickly gaining a following as musicians such as Tom Petty and Bruce Springsteen praised them, they finally signed with Capitol Records in January 1979. Reaching #1 on the Billboard 200 chart, 'Get The Knack' has earned praise for decades, with Kurt Cobain in particular claiming it as one of his top fifty albums of all time.
While fans praised their new wave and power pop fueled sound, many critics still found issues with the group's in-your-face image in their lyrics, with accusations of misogyny popping up. After subsequent releases, the social backlash against the Knack (similar to that of The Monkees a generation earlier) was strong. Dave Marsh of 'Rolling Stone' in particular wrote, "In Fieger's lyrics, women are literally commodities whose chief purpose is to be brutalized." A 'Knuke the Knack' campaign emerged based on that as well as the perceived corporate-based over-hype. With their second album, '...But the Little Girls Understand', getting less commercial success (doing well, but not up to expectations), the band broke up mid-tour on New Year’s Day 1982. Besides the turmoil around the group, they also faced near total burnout among themselves, particularly given Fieger's drugs-heavy lifestyle, and the band members reportedly hadn't the energy to do much of anything after their third album, 'Round Trip', came out.
They re-united sporadically several years later and released a new album on January 16, 1991, titled 'Serious Fun'. A comeback accompanied by a public reunion and tour, it failed to reach either commercial or critical success but resulted in the hit single "Rocket O' Love", which reached #9 in Billboard's Mainstream Rock Chart. They continued playing through the 90s and into the new millennium, with 2003's 'Re-Zoom' (or 'Zoom') being their last studio album. Commercial airplay mostly eluded the group over the 90s, but a generation of new fans who loved 80s-era new wave music provided a devoted cult following. Lead singer and main songwriter Doug Fieger was diagnosed with cancer in 2005. Fieger battled the disease until his death on Valentine's Day 2010.
Fieger, a native of Detroit, Michigan, had previously played in a country rock band called Sky. Of the three other original members of the Knack (Berton Averre - Guitar, Prescott Niles - Bass, and Bruce Gary - Drums), Averre and Niles remained with the group as it ended. Gary died of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2006. Several drummers had played for the group over the years, including Billy Ward (Serious Fun album), Terry Bozzio (Zoom album), and David Henderson as 'Holmes Jones' (Normal as the Next Guy and Live at the Rock N Roll Funhouse albums). Pat Torpey (Mr. Big) played the drums for the group right before they ended.
There are other artists with the same name:
2. The Knack was a short-lived 1960s American psych/garage band from Los Angeles, CA. They recorded for Capitol Records. Formed in 1965, the band comprising Mike Chain (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Dink Kaplan (lead guitar, backing vocals), Larry Gould (bass, backing vocals) and Pug Baker (drums), formally débuted at The Ice House in October 1966 and released four singles in total, of which Time Waits For No One was the best-seller. They toured throughout the U.S. but worked most frequently in Hollywood.
3. The Knack was a mid-60's British band originally known as The Londoners, a moniker they adopted whilst paying their beat group dues in the clubs of Germany in the early 60s. Upon returning to the UK in 1965 and changing their name to the rather hipper The Knack (after the recently released Richard Lester film), they recorded half a dozen singles for Decca and Piccadilly including the mod R&B ravers "She Ain't No Good", "Time Time Time" and "Stop!". Their final single, "(Man From The) Marriage Guidance And Advice Bureau", featured a more mature acoustic sound, which nodded towards both The Kinks and the impending psychedelic explosion. They broke up in 1967 and leader Paul Gurvitz formed the band The Gun.
Another Lousy Day In Paradise
The Knack Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
you always seemed so damn sincere
though you say you love me with a smile
love is just a fashion here it's going out of style
another lousy day in paradise
another party girl'll pay the price
her silent screams
another lousy day in paradise
another way to set your soul on ice
the swine'll find their pearl
here at party party world
you're always greeted with a kiss
and if you're weak you won't resist
being this month's model is the best
but you change your mind and heart here like you change your dress
living for the late show
living for the no-no's
just close your eyes and keep repeating
you're getting what you're needing
paradise is pleasing
if it has a reason oh yeah
i'm looking for a new nirvana
to visit when I wanna
In the song Another Lousy Day in Paradise, The Knack is painting a picture of a paradise that is riddled with chaos and disarray, with party girls paying the price, dormant dreams, and silent screams. The lyrics speak to the transient nature of love and how it's become a passing fashion that's quickly going out of style. The singer seems to be disillusioned with this version of paradise, yearning for something more meaningful and fulfilling.
The song highlights the emptiness of living for the late show, the no-no's, and the countless parties. The constant search for the next best thing has become a cycle that's leaving the singer and perhaps many others feeling disconnected and unfulfilled. The singer is searching for a new Nirvana, a place that promises to give him the needed solace from the chaos of party party world.
Overall, the song Another Lousy Day in Paradise is a commentary on today's society, where material things and fleeting moments of pleasure have taken precedence over what truly matters. It's a warning about how easy it is to get lost in the incredible noise of the world and to forget what truly makes life worth living.
Line by Line Meaning
I never thought we'd end up here
I never imagined we would end up in this place we currently are
you always seemed so damn sincere
You always appeared to be genuine and truthful
though you say you love me with a smile
Although you express your love for me with a smile on your face
love is just a fashion here it's going out of style
Love is a trend that is fading away in this current environment
another lousy day in paradise
Once again, we are faced with another terrible day in this seemingly perfect environment
another party girl'll pay the price
Another woman who enjoys partying will suffer the consequences for her actions
her silent screams
She suffers alone and silently
her dormant dreams
She has buried her aspirations
another lousy day in paradise
Again, we are faced with a dreadful day in this supposed heaven-like place
another way to set your soul on ice
Another method to numb and suppress your spirit
the swine'll find their pearl
The undeserving individuals will still come across their treasures and rewards
here at party party world
In this world of constant partying and frivolousness
you're always greeted with a kiss
You are always welcomed with a kiss
and if you're weak you won't resist
If you are vulnerable, you will not decline the advances or temptations thrown at you
being this month's model is the best
Being the most popular person this month is highly valued
but you change your mind and heart here like you change your dress
You easily change your opinions and emotions in this environment, just like changing your clothes
living for the late show
Living only for the entertainment and the thrill
living for the no-no's
Living for the forbidden and sinful activities
just close your eyes and keep repeating
Just block out any negative thoughts and keep telling yourself
you're getting what you're needing
You are obtaining what you require or desire
paradise is pleasing
This environment may seem satisfying
if it has a reason oh yeah
If this seemingly perfect place has a purpose or meaning
i'm looking for a new nirvana
I am searching for a new and better paradise
to visit when I wanna
To visit whenever I desire
Contributed by Nicholas I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Da Hawk
@Irish Moon
It's very sad to hear you say that. Perhaps you will connect with someone who will make you wish you will live into triple digits. And it does not even require being with another person to maintain a sense of gusto for life.
Sure, it will never be as fresh as when we were young. But this internet thing opens the entire world up to all of us, and we can find new wonders that were beyond our wildest dreams.
Yes, the way it works is that we start off with this ramp up in our physical state. This only heads upward for the first two decades. And then it flattens out, leading to this steady decline. Sometimes a steep decline. Other times, an abrupt cliff. Like perhaps your husband experienced. Like what happened with Doug and Bruce. The norm these days gets us beyond 8 decades, and many of us poke into that ninth one.
This is only how it is for our bodies. The other dimensions of being human have very different curves.
While our physical status may be on the decline, the potential for us to increase in wisdom can skyrocket. And for those who recognize that we are spiritual beings... perhaps more accurately, that we are spirits having this temporary physical experience, this too has HUGE potential for growth, even while our bodies may wither away.
You know, that whole Yoda thing.
So there ARE many things out there which can spark your life, and rekindle that fire within. LOVE is the most obvious path. But one can have love for life itself. This was known to the Ancient Egyptians. They built monuments to this, which are called Pyramids. A word that literally means 'fire in the middle'. So one idea to spark enthusiasm is travel. Egypt could be one idea. There are phenomenally inspiring pyramids in the Yucatan too. And even earthen mounds in the center of the USA. Or literally anywhere else in the world which seems like it might be an interesting place to go see with your own eyes.
There's this very old story about a rich person going off on a journey. Three people are entrusted with parts of the fortune left behind. A long time passes, and these three are approached to see what was done with what they were handed. The first two had put the money to good use, and doubled it.
The third person decided to bury it, for safe keeping.
The way the story is typically told, the unit of money is called 'Talents'. And I myself grew up hearing this story time and again. But I didn't have the epiphany until plenty of decades later that what it is actually teaching about is the literal talents we have all been given in our lives. And the biggest question is what we will DO with them.
From this stage you are in right now, it is like you've decided to bury yours. But they are still there, any time you wish to put them to use. Of course, the choice is yours. It is all of ours to decide what we will do.
And while half of The Knack had relatively short lives, what they managed to do with them was absolutely amazing. These guys would wake up to find that it's "Another Lousy Day in Paradise". I expect that "The Master" has been well pleased.
Gazolba
One of the greatest Knack songs/tunes. Looking at those videos, who'd have ever thought they would get old. Life is fleeting and so is genius.
Irish Moon
Yes. And speaking as a 58 year old widow I have to say that WOW....the years fly by and on the outside everyone thinks you're NOTHING BUT OLD while on the inside I'm the same person I always was but I must admit being a widow really makes life so much more lonely! I honestly hope I don't live too much longer.
Da Hawk
@Irish Moon
It's very sad to hear you say that. Perhaps you will connect with someone who will make you wish you will live into triple digits. And it does not even require being with another person to maintain a sense of gusto for life.
Sure, it will never be as fresh as when we were young. But this internet thing opens the entire world up to all of us, and we can find new wonders that were beyond our wildest dreams.
Yes, the way it works is that we start off with this ramp up in our physical state. This only heads upward for the first two decades. And then it flattens out, leading to this steady decline. Sometimes a steep decline. Other times, an abrupt cliff. Like perhaps your husband experienced. Like what happened with Doug and Bruce. The norm these days gets us beyond 8 decades, and many of us poke into that ninth one.
This is only how it is for our bodies. The other dimensions of being human have very different curves.
While our physical status may be on the decline, the potential for us to increase in wisdom can skyrocket. And for those who recognize that we are spiritual beings... perhaps more accurately, that we are spirits having this temporary physical experience, this too has HUGE potential for growth, even while our bodies may wither away.
You know, that whole Yoda thing.
So there ARE many things out there which can spark your life, and rekindle that fire within. LOVE is the most obvious path. But one can have love for life itself. This was known to the Ancient Egyptians. They built monuments to this, which are called Pyramids. A word that literally means 'fire in the middle'. So one idea to spark enthusiasm is travel. Egypt could be one idea. There are phenomenally inspiring pyramids in the Yucatan too. And even earthen mounds in the center of the USA. Or literally anywhere else in the world which seems like it might be an interesting place to go see with your own eyes.
There's this very old story about a rich person going off on a journey. Three people are entrusted with parts of the fortune left behind. A long time passes, and these three are approached to see what was done with what they were handed. The first two had put the money to good use, and doubled it.
The third person decided to bury it, for safe keeping.
The way the story is typically told, the unit of money is called 'Talents'. And I myself grew up hearing this story time and again. But I didn't have the epiphany until plenty of decades later that what it is actually teaching about is the literal talents we have all been given in our lives. And the biggest question is what we will DO with them.
From this stage you are in right now, it is like you've decided to bury yours. But they are still there, any time you wish to put them to use. Of course, the choice is yours. It is all of ours to decide what we will do.
And while half of The Knack had relatively short lives, what they managed to do with them was absolutely amazing. These guys would wake up to find that it's "Another Lousy Day in Paradise". I expect that "The Master" has been well pleased.
Vogelfrau 242
Do you have any hobbys ? You can find new friends if you follow your interests. Good luck.
jasona9
GREAT song from their Round Trip Album. This should have been the single! Another Lousy Day in Paradise and Lil Cals Big Mistake were my two favorites from Round Trip.....One of the most underrated albums of all time.
lavallee1963
I agree with you, Pay the devil was a good song but the single would be Another lousy day in paradise or Just wait and see.
Jeff D
@lavallee1963 This is absolutely one of my favorite Knack songs, and you're right: this and "Just Wait and See" should have been singles. Whoever made the call on "Pay the Devil" being a single whiffed big time. Just shows how poorly the band was managed and promoted.
Update: Oh, and I totally forgot about "Radiating Love"! That also could have been a single from this album.
Also, did a little digging, and it turns out that the band wanted "Soul Kissin'" to be the lead single, but the A&R guy wanted "Pay the Devil". Averre didn't like the choice 40+ years ago, saying back then that "Pay the Devil" wasn't representative of the album's material and was the wrong choice as the lead single.
ron weed
The lead guitar guy got a lot of kudos for his skills, but this song really shows how awesome the bass player was. The whole band was great.
JC
Very underrated band
m00nm6n
So true, I feel like I don’t see people talk about Prescott Niles (the bass player) enough