Their debut single, I'm an Adult Now, quickly became a hit across Canada in 1986, sparked by a low-budget video which made it onto the Canadian music video channel MuchMusic. However, the band did not immediately sign to a record label, and released another independent single, Killed by Love, in 1988. The Amabile twins left the band that year, and were replaced by Kris Abbott and Leslie Stanwyck.
Also in 1988, they signed to Chrysalis Records. Their debut album, Love Junk, was produced by Todd Rundgren and released that year. "I'm an Adult Now" was re-recorded and released as a single again, making it to the charts a second time. The album sold over 100,000 copies in Canada, and was certified platinum, and is considered one of the classics of Canadian rock.
Stanwyck and Sinclair left, going on to form Universal Honey, after completing the band's follow-up with Rundgren, 1990's One-Sided Story.
Starting with the tour for the album, Brad Barker and Susan Murumets joined the lineup. Rachel Oldfield replaced Murumets in 1992. The band then went through difficulties with their record label, but signed to Mercury Records for 1993's The Downward Road.
Label troubles continued, and the band recorded their next two albums for the now-defunct Canadian label Iron Music. Oldfield left the band in 1995, and was replaced by Jennifer Foster, who in turn left the following year and was replaced by Renee Suchy.
Although the group never officially disbanded, after 1996 they did not record as a unit until 2005, when they recorded two new tracks for a greatest hits compilation.
Something Physical
The Pursuit Of Happiness Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Your skin comes alive... And your brain shuts off.
Then he turns on you and he's cruel and heartless
You can't figure out what went wrong
He's a hungry baby far from his mother
And you're no comfort at all
There's something physical between you
That keeps you tied to him
WHen he's not around it's easy to intellectualize that he's no good
So you sit at home and you sleep and you dream a little
more than you should
Then he opens the door
There's liquor on his breath, and perfume in his hair
He holds you close -- he's so warm and strong
And gradually you don't care
[chorus]
Sometimes you don't hear from him at all
And the voice in your head becomes a shout
What has he got that you can't live without
[chorus]
The Pursuit Of Happiness's song Something Physical is a vivid portrayal of a toxic relationship and the struggle to break free from the hold it has on the singer. The opening line "His kisses are like drugs" sets the tone for the rest of the song, as the singer describes the intense physical attraction she feels towards her partner despite his cruelty and heartlessness. The juxtaposition of the descriptions of the physical sensations she experiences with the emotional turmoil she goes through creates a powerful contrast, emphasizing the conflict between the heart and the mind.
The line "He's a hungry baby far from his mother" paints a picture of a broken and damaged individual who is incapable of forming healthy relationships. The singer recognizes that she can't be his savior or the source of his happiness, but the physical connection between them keeps her coming back for more even though she knows it's detrimental to her well-being. The chorus highlights the paradoxical nature of such a relationship: the physical attraction keeps them tied together like chains, but the absence of the partner causes the singer to question what they have that she can't live without.
Ultimately, the song captures the conflicting emotions and struggles that come with being in a toxic relationship. The physical attraction is powerful, but it's important to take care of oneself and recognize when it's time to break free from the chains that bind.
Line by Line Meaning
His kisses are like drugs... They turn your eyes inside your head
His passionate kisses leave you feeling dizzy and overwhelmed, making you lose consciousness.
Your skin comes alive... And your brain shuts off.
He stimulates your senses and your body reacts involuntarily while your mind gets clouded in desire.
Then he turns on you and he's cruel and heartless
He suddenly becomes mean and inconsiderate, showing no compassion or empathy towards you.
You can't figure out what went wrong
You are unable to comprehend why he changed his attitude towards you.
He's a hungry baby far from his mother
He is like a child in need of love and nurture, feeling lost and alone without his source of comfort.
And you're no comfort at all
You are unable to provide him with the affection and attention he craves, leaving him unsatisfied and distant.
There's something physical between you
There is a strong physical attraction that binds you two together, despite the emotional distance between you.
That keeps you tied to him
Your mutual desire for each other keeps you bound to him, unable to break free from his grasp.
Like chains, it'll drag you down
This physical attraction is like heavy chains that will eventually weigh you down and suffocate you.
When he's not around it's easy to intellectualize that he's no good
In his absence, you are able to analyze and rationalize that he is not a positive influence in your life.
So you sit at home and you sleep and you dream a little more than you should
You find yourself alone at home, indulging in excessive sleeping and daydreaming, allowing your thoughts to spiral out of control.
Then he opens the door
He suddenly appears in your life again, surprising you with his presence.
There's liquor on his breath, and perfume in his hair
He smells like alcohol and another woman's scent, indicating that he has been up to no good.
He holds you close -- he's so warm and strong
He embraces you tightly, radiating warmth and strength, making it difficult for you to resist him.
And gradually you don't care
As time passes, you become less concerned about his flaws and mistakes, enabling his mistreatment of you.
[chorus]
Refrain from the song, which emphasizes the powerful influence of the physical attraction between them.
Sometimes you don't hear from him at all
Occasionally, he disappears without any contact or explanation.
And the voice in your head becomes a shout
Your inner voice becomes louder and more persistent, warning you about the dangers of staying with him.
What has he got that you can't live without
You question why you need him so badly, as he brings more harm than good to your life.
[chorus]
Refrain from the song, which emphasizes the powerful influence of the physical attraction between them.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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