The band reformed in 2002 with new vocalist Julia Ghoulia, and performed that December for the first time in 17 years at Great Lakes in Brooklyn, NY. In celebration of the band's 20th Anniversary, The Naked and the Dead (Christopher Bollman, Greg Fasolino, and Julia Ghoulia, joined on drums by Julia's bandmate from The Brides, D.W. Friend) performed a special reunion concert at the 2005 Drop Dead III Festival at The Knitting Factory in NYC.
Arisen from their premature burial in 1985, The Naked and the Dead were like ghosts reborn from a distant, poorly-known sonic era of the citys music history, from a time when there was no internet, when alternative rock was not a viable consumer commodity, when making music with a dark edge was an act of faith and iconoclastic passion.
Christopher Bollman and Greg Fasolino moved on to perform in Bell Hollow.
In 2007, The Naked and the Dead CD collection (complete set of 1985 material; 19 tracks; Moorleichen Recordings) was made available by mail order only via Lulu.com.
In 2009, The Naked and the Dead made their 1985 recordings available digitally via iTunes, etc.
Lorianne Oakley - Vocals (1985)
Christopher Bollman - Bass (1985, 2002, 2005)
Greg Fasolino - Guitar (1985, 2002, 2005)
David Patti - Drums (1985, 2002)
Julia Ghoulia - Vocals (2002, 2005)
D.W. Friend - Drums (2005)
The Gate
The Naked and the Dead Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Burn baby burn
Sometimes this life may seem
Like a broken record
Let’s break these chains tonight
Let’s live forever
Take my hand come with me
Turn dreams into memories
So take a bite
And let’s all fall from grace tonight
I feel so alive
Let’s set it all alight
This fire will
Burn baby burn
Breaking through gates of heaven
Me and you
Can we break that lock?
Burn baby burn
Let’s raise some hell together
Me and you
Can we find our way?
Well I sure ain’t a saint
And ain’t no devil
I rather rule in hell
Than serve in heaven
They can’t lock us away
Can’t hide behind golden gates
Bringer of light
Stole souls to waste
You know my name
This fire will
Burn baby burn
Breaking through gates of heaven
Me and you
Can we break that lock?
Burn baby burn
Let’s raise some hell together
Me and you
Can we find our way?
We don’t want to hide
Just want to find our peace of mind
You and I
Will find the way
Seeking a place to call our home
You and I
This fire will
Burn baby burn
Breaking through gates of heaven
Me and you
Can we break that lock?
Burn baby burn
Let’s raise some hell together
Me and you
Can we find our way?
Let’s find our way to heaven
Don’t have to die to see the other side
Or to be free
Let’s find our way to heaven
Don’t have to die to see the other side
Let’s make them feel the burn
The Naked and the Dead's song "The Gate" speaks of breaking the chains that hold us back in life and embracing the freedom to live fully. The lyrics address the idea that life can seem repetitive and mundane like a broken record, but we have the power to break that cycle and live forever in our memories. The singer urges the listener to take their hand and go on an adventure, turning dreams into realities. The chorus emphasizes the burning fire within, urging the listener to let go and fall from grace to truly feel alive. The song speaks of the search for a place to call home and the journey to find inner peace. The line "let's find our way to heaven, don't have to die to see the other side" suggests that heaven is not just a physical place, but a state of mind and being that we can achieve in our lifetime.
Overall, "The Gate" is an inspiring song that urges listeners to embrace life, let go of their fears, and live fully in the moment. It speaks to the human desire for freedom, adventure, and the search for inner peace.
Line by Line Meaning
This fire will
The passion and intensity of our desires and actions will be unstoppable
Burn baby burn
Let's unleash all our energy and make it happen
Sometimes this life may seem
Life can be difficult and unfulfilling
Like a broken record
Repetitive and stagnant, without progress or change
Let’s break these chains tonight
We can break free from the constraints holding us back and live in the moment
Let’s live forever
Let's make the most of our time and create memories that will last a lifetime
Take my hand come with me
Let's face the unknown together and support each other along the way
Turn dreams into memories
Let's make our dreams a reality and create unforgettable experiences
We`re all divine
We all have innate worth and value
So take a bite
Embrace life and take risks
And let’s all fall from grace tonight
Let's let go of perfection and live in the moment, without fear of judgment
I feel so alive
The sensation of living in the present moment is thrilling and invigorating
Let’s set it all alight
Let's ignite our passions and light a fire in our souls
Breaking through gates of heaven
Overcoming obstacles to reach a higher plane of existence or happiness
Me and you
Together as a team, we can accomplish anything
Can we break that lock?
Is it possible to overcome the barriers standing in our way?
Let’s raise some hell together
Let's be daring and adventurous, breaking the rules in pursuit of excitement and passion
Well I sure ain’t a saint
I am not perfect, but that won't stop me from living fully
And ain’t no devil
I am not a villain either, just someone who enjoys life's temptations
I rather rule in hell
I would rather live life to the fullest, even if it means taking risks and going against conventional wisdom
Than serve in heaven
I would rather be true to myself and my desires than live a perfect, but unfulfilling life
They can’t lock us away
No one can keep us from pursuing our passions and living life to the fullest
Can’t hide behind golden gates
Even those who seem to have it all are not always happy or fulfilled
Bringer of light
A force for goodness and positivity in the world
Stole souls to waste
Despite good intentions, sometimes the pursuit of pleasure and excitement can have negative consequences
You know my name
I am known for my passionate and adventurous spirit
We don’t want to hide
We are not afraid to be ourselves and pursue our desires
Just want to find our peace of mind
We want to be content with ourselves and our lives, free from stress and worry
Let’s find our way to heaven
Let's pursue a life of joy and fulfillment
Don’t have to die to see the other side
We don't have to wait until afterlife to find happiness and fulfillment
Or to be free
We are free to live our lives as we choose, pursuing our desires and passions without judgment or criticism
Let’s make them feel the burn
Let's inspire others to live passionately and fully, leaving a lasting impression on the world
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Mikko Kylmänen, Olli Salmi, Sulo Hohko, Tuukka Hanhiniemi, Ville Rautakorpi
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind