The Payolas soon released "Hammer on a Drum" (also produced by Ronson, with the Payolas) to more commercial and popular acclaim. The band now consisted of co-founding guitarist Bob Rock (often doubling on guitar and bass), Hyde, Chris Taylor on drums and new keyboardist Christopher Livingston.
The Payloas eventually split in 1986 and Hyde and guitarist Bob Rock released an album on Capitol Records entitled "Under the Volcano" as Rock & Hyde, they toured, and had three minor Canadian hit singles before they ended up going their separate ways.
Winnipeg born Guitarist Bob Rock went on to produce Metallica's best selling albums and several other records by big name bands including David Lee Roth, Motley Crue, Aerosmith, the Cranberries, American Hi-Fi, Bryan Adams, Tal Bachman, Bon Jovi, and The Cult.
Soldier
The Payola$ Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Machine gun rattle, rocket fire
Just to see your smiling face again
Huddled in the bombed-out ground
Deafened by the thunder sound
Just to see your smiling face again
I'll be your friend 'til the morning light
Your soldier
Well I'll fight by you, I'll die for you, tonight
Blinded by the searchlight glare
Sirens screaming, cannon blare
Just to see your smiling face again
Swam through miles of dirt and mud
Watched the rivers turn to blood
Just to see your smiling face again
I'll be your soldier
I'll be your friend 'til the morning light
Your soldier
Well I'll fight by you, I'll die for you
Your solider
Well, I'll be your friend 'til the morning light
Your soldier
Well I'll fight by you, I'll die for you, tonight
Crawled through fields of rusted wire
Machine gun rattle, rocket fire
Just to see your smiling face again
Huddled in the bombed-out ground
Deafened by the thunder sound
Just to see your smiling face again
I'll be your soldier
I'll be your friend 'til the morning light
Be your soldier
Well I'll fight by you, I'll die for you
Be your solider
Well, I'll keep you safe 'til the morning light
Be your solider
Well, I'll be your friend 'til the morning light
Be your soldier
Well I'll fight by you, I'll die for you, tonight
The Payola$’s song, “Soldier,” is a poignant story of a soldier's unwavering love for the woman he left behind. The soldier sang of his experiences during the war, depicting his valiant efforts to return home to her sweet embrace, no matter the cost. He spoke of crawling through fields of rusted wire, braving the rattle of machine guns and the fiery launching of rockets just to have the chance to see her smile again. He also recounted the times when he humbled himself in bombed-out grounds, deafening himself with thunder sounds, all in an effort just to see her smile again.
The chorus of the song explains that he would fight and die for her, that he would be her loyal soldier and friend throughout the night. He would fight and keep her safe till the morning light. The lyrics present a touching narrative of a brave, love-struck soldier who would take on whatever obstacle or danger to be with the person he loved the most.
Overall, the song portrays the devotion and sacrifice required in times of war, which brings its life-threatening challenges. It brings out the soldier’s love for the woman he has left and the price he is willing to pay to see her again.
Line by Line Meaning
Crawled through fields of rusted wire
I endured the harsh physical conditions of war to fulfill my purpose.
Machine gun rattle, rocket fire
The noisy sounds of war were constantly present and terrifying.
Just to see your smiling face again
My reason for being here is to be reunited with you, the one I care about most.
Huddled in the bombed-out ground
I hunkered down in damaged areas to find safety from the war.
Deafened by the thunder sound
The loud explosions and blasts made me temporarily lose my hearing.
I'll be your soldier
I vow to serve and protect you with my life.
I'll be your friend 'til the morning light
I will stand by your side all night, taking care of you.
Your soldier
I am yours, dedicated to you and your safety.
Well I'll fight by you, I'll die for you, tonight
I am prepared to put everything on the line and sacrifice myself to keep you alive.
Blinded by the searchlight glare
My vision was impaired by the searchlights, making it difficult to see.
Sirens screaming, cannon blare
The wailing sirens and booming cannons created a chaotic environment.
Swam through miles of dirt and mud
I waded through filthy, sludgy soil to fulfill my objective.
Watched the rivers turn to blood
The horrific scenes of war turned natural bodies of water into pools of blood.
Be your solider
I am yours, serving you with all of my being.
Well, I'll keep you safe 'til the morning light
I will ensure you stay safe all night, until the break of dawn.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Bob Rock, Paul Hyde
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@alukuhito
I remember being in Grade 7 and being happy whenever this song came on the radio. It's funny how the Payola$ were so big for a while, then just disappeared pretty much forever.
@wawawis
a very underrated song. I'm glad to own their cd "Between a Rock and Hyde Place"
@ELEcomments
i just got into their earlier albums i like them much more tbh
@Bonkrr
I'm even gladder to have all of their original albums on vinyl. :)
@ripsawrodge67
To those who served and gave the ultimate sacrifice.
@jhamptonjr
Rare stuff! Most have never heard of these guys. Thanks! Peace!
@WilliamThompsongwy
I was just singing this song...so I looked it up and here I am. Great song!
@ripsawrodge67
Great memories of my old unit 735. This was always on the jukebox:)
@tlowee
Now that takes me back. Under a table at a club in Germany to be precise. 🍻
@TYONEification
FOR ALL THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED AND FOR THOSE WHO ARE ABOUT TOO THIS SONS IS ABOUT THEM