The band's original lineup consisted of Wayne Hussey (vocals, guitar), Craig Adams (bass), Simon Hinckler (guitar) and Mick Brown (drums). Hussey and Adams were formerly members of The Sisters of Mercy, Mick Brown was a former member of Red Lorry Yellow Lorry and Hickler was a former member of Artery and Pulp. Wayne Hussey has been the only constant member of the band.
The backbone of the band's catalogue consists of seven main albums (Gods Own Medicine, Children, Carved in Sand, Masque, Neverland, Blue, Aura and God Is A Bullet) with several complementing albums, compilations and other miscellaneous releases also in existence.
The Mission attracted a faithful following band of fans, known a 'Eskimos'. Gigs typically had an energetic mosh pit (prior to the term being coined) sustained by a lot of Eskimos.
Other bandmembers:
Mark Gemini Thwaite (guitar, 1992-1996, 1999-2000, 2006-2008)
Andy Cousin (bass, 1992-1996)
Rik Carter (keyboards, 1992-1998)
Scott Garrett (drums, 1999-2002)
Rob Holliday (guitar, 2001-2005)
Richard Vernon (bass, 2002-2008)
Richard Beesley (drums, 2002)
Steve Spring (drums, 2003-2008)
In October 2007, Wayne Hussey announced the band would split after a series of early 2008 concerts at Shepherds Bush Empire in London.
In 2010, it was announced that The Mission would reform to perform at the Sinners Day Festival in Belgium on Halloween, 2011.
Paradise Will Shine Like the Moon
The Mission Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ride it long ride it hard
Ride it all the way with me
Hey sister moon-dance charm the snake for me
Charm it long charm it hard
Charm the skin from its back for me
And paradise will come tonight
The rite
And paradise shines so bright
Lead me a dance of veil in the silver of the
Moonlight and paradise
Paradise will shine like the moon tonight
Hey sister moon-child the wolf is howling at the moon
He howls long he howls hard
Howling for you sister moon
Hey sister moonshine hold me 'til the break of dawn
Hold me long hold me hard
Hold me 'til the shadows fade away
Hey sister moonlight kiss me with your honey lips
Kiss me long kiss me hard
Kiss me 'til my honey drips
Hey sister midnight love is over with the rising sun
Love me long love me hard
This could be forever if you love me right
The lyrics to The Mission's song "Paradise Will Shine Like the Moon" are evocative and vivid, conjuring images of a mysterious and alluring night-time world filled with magic, desire, and the promise of transcendence. The song opens with an invitation to a female figure, referred to as "sister moonshine," to accompany the singer on a journey of sensual awakening, symbolized by a ride on a snake - a potent symbol of sexual power and danger. The singer implores his moon-sister to "ride it long, ride it hard, ride it all the way with me," highlighting the intensity and urgency of the moment.
As the song progresses, the imagery becomes increasingly fantastical and surreal. The moon-sister is called upon to "charm the snake" and "charm the skin from its back," indicating a desire to transcend the limits of the everyday world through the power of magic and ritual. The idea of "paradise" is introduced, with the singer suggesting that this state of spiritual bliss can be attained through an embrace with the moon-sister, and through the performance of certain ceremonies and rites. The moon itself is depicted as a shining, radiant force that can grant access to a higher realm of existence.
Overall, the song can be read as a celebration of the power of desire and the transformative potential of human connection. The moon figure represents a potent symbol of mystery, magic, and otherness, while the snake and other ritualistic elements speak to the primal, primal urges that drive us all.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey sister moonshine ride the snake with me
Invite me to ride the wave of life with you
Ride it long ride it hard
Let us embrace life fully and passionately
Ride it all the way with me
Let us experience life together to the fullest
Hey sister moon-dance charm the snake for me
Inspire me with your graceful and magical movements
Charm it long charm it hard
Use your charm to enchant and captivate the world around us
Charm the skin from its back for me
Let us strip away the superficial layers of life to reveal its true essence
And paradise will come tonight
We can create our own version of paradise in the present moment
In the comfort of your arms and the ritual and the rite
We can find comfort and solace in each other's embrace as we celebrate life's mysteries
And paradise shines so bright
Our version of paradise will radiate with the light of our love and connection
Lead me a dance of veil in the silver of the moonlight and paradise
Let's dance together in the ethereal world of imagination and dreams
Paradise will shine like the moon tonight
Our shared vision of paradise will be as luminescent and enchanting as the moon
Hey sister moon-child the wolf is howling at the moon
Let's connect with the primal forces of nature and animal instinct
He howls long he howls hard
His passionate cry echoes the intensity of our own emotions
Howling for you sister moon
The wolf symbolizes our own untamed and wild natures, drawn to the luminous beauty of the moon
Hey sister moonshine hold me 'til the break of dawn
Let us comfort each other and chase away the darkness of the night
Hold me long hold me hard
Let us stay connected and grounded in each other's embrace
Hold me 'til the shadows fade away
Let us banish our fears and doubts and embrace the light of a new day
Hey sister moonlight kiss me with your honey lips
Let us exchange the sweetness of our affections
Kiss me long kiss me hard
Let us savor the intensity and passion of our attraction
Kiss me 'til my honey drips
Let us indulge in the sensuality and pleasure of our connection
Hey sister midnight love is over with the rising sun
Our intense connection may be fleeting and ephemeral, ending with the light of day
Love me long love me hard
Let us make the most of our time together, loving each other with all our passion and devotion
This could be forever if you love me right
If we love each other with authenticity and commitment, our connection could transcend the limitations of time and space
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Ultra Tunes, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MARK R ADAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Liesel Hering Chamen
on Daddy's Going to Heaven Now
Anyone know the story behind this song?