1) The Piranhas were a ska-influenced punk band from Brighton.
Their live act was supposed to be one of the best around and they soon had a large following and were beginning to get some choice gigs out of town. Their songs were laced with a dry, sardonic wit, backed up with some catchy hooklines.
They were formed in 1977, and were originally part of the Brighton punk scene. They first came to prominence when DJ John Peel started playing their single "I Don't Want My Body" on his BBC Radio 1 programme, but achieved their biggest success with their cover version of the South African kwela song "Tom Hark". This had been an instrumental hit in 1958 for Elias & His Zig Zag Jive Flutes, and had already been covered in a ska style by Millie Small. With new lyrics written by the band's frontman "Boring" Bob Grover, it was a Top 10 hit in 1980. It was the first song to feature on BBC Television's pop music programme, Top of the Pops, when it returned in 1980 after being blacked out for several months by industrial action.
From Suzy Horne in the The Piranhas first fan club fanzine:
"Their first gig as the Piranhas was at the Vault supporting another local punk band Wrist Action. It was an anti-Jubilee gig, held on Jubilee Day 1977. Even the hand stamp said "Fuck the Jubilee". Their set consisted of about eight punk songs with titles such as Maniac, Tell the Truth, Hilary Bites, I Want Your Body and Johnny Mono, plus a couple of covers including a punk version of Let's Spend the Night Together. The only slower song was called Shut Up which became a strong favourite and highlight of the set. It even had it's own dance at one time. "
Original line-up (1977-81)
* Bob Grover - guitarist, lead vocals, trumpeter
* Dick Slexia (Richard Adland) - drummer
* Johnny Helmer - guitarist, vocals
* Reginald Frederick Hornsbury - bassist
* Zoot Alors - saxophonist
Discography
1980
* "Tom Hark" / #6 UK
* "I Don't Want My Body"
* " Zambesi" / # 17 UK
* LP - The Piranhas / #69 UK
2) The Piranhas were a garage punk band from Detroit, MI, United States, formed in 1998, disbanded in 2004.
Members: Jamie Easter (vocals), Nai Sammon (guitar), Brian (bass), Pear (drums, saxophone), Ami (organ, glockenspiel), Ling-Ling (drums, 1998-2000)
Love game
The Piranhas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can see my life go by
You mean everyhing to me
Just can't take no more
Throw a smile my way
And the pain I feel inside
Turns to love for you
And I'm yours
The things they really fell inside
I simply need you to need me
Can't you see
Once I hoped to be
Your lover and your friend
It just can't go on
Your love games
Your love games
Do lovers ever need to hide
The things they really feel inside
If you won't show your heart to me
Set me free
Now the time has come
To show you how I feel
The love I gave to you
I can't give no more
Even now I see
The salt tears n your eyes
But it can't go on
Your love games
The Piranhas’ "Love Game" is a song that speaks about unrequited love and the frustration and pain that comes with it. The singer is speaking directly to their love interest, expressing how much the person means to them and how they are unable to move on from the unrequited love. The first verse describes how watching the person’s face makes the singer feel like their life is passing them by, but at the same time, the person means everything to them. The second verse talks about how the person’s smile could take away the pain, but the pain is too much to bear. The chorus asks if lovers need to hide their true feelings and how the singer simply needs the person to need them.
The bridge of the song is where the singer finally starts to express some anger and frustration towards the love interest. They tell the person that the time has come to show how they truly feel and how the love they once gave can no longer be given. The song ends with the singer making a final plea for the person to either show their heart or let the singer go.
Overall, "Love Game" is a sad love song that speaks about the pain of unrequited love, the frustration felt when genuine feelings are not reciprocated and the need for honesty and open communication in any relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
As I watch your face
While looking at your face, I reflect on my life.
I can see my life go by
I feel as though my life is passing me by.
You mean everything to me
You are the most important person in my life.
Just can't take no more
I am unable to handle things any longer.
Throw a smile my way
If you smile at me, my pain will go away.
And the pain I feel inside
I am experiencing emotional pain.
Turns to love for you
This emotional pain turns to love for you.
And I'm yours
I am completely devoted to you.
Do lovers ever need to hide
Should two people in love hide their true feelings?
The things they really fell inside
Their deepest emotions and affections.
I simply need you to need me
I require your affection and attention.
Can't you see
Don't you understand?
Once I hoped to be
I used to have high hopes for us.
Your lover and your friend
I wanted to be both your romantic partner and friend.
It just can't go on
Our relationship cannot continue as it has been.
Your love games
Your manipulative behavior in our relationship.
Now the time has come
It is time for us to have a serious conversation about us.
To show you how I feel
I need to reveal my true emotions to you.
The love I gave to you
My affection for you.
I can't give no more
I am no longer able to give so much of myself to you.
Even now I see
I still notice.
The salt tears in your eyes
I can see that you are crying.
But it can't go on
Our relationship cannot continue in this way.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BMG Rights Management
Written by: PHILIP GABRIEL GOULD, MARK KING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind