With the success of "Raised on the Radio" came a full length album deal with MCA. 'The Ravyns' was released in 1984, and, as with the single, it was once again lauded by critics on both sides of the Atlantic. Still, commercial success appeared to be eluding the group, with them starting to be labeled as a "one hit wonder".
Within one year, the band produced three music videos— "Raised on the Radio", "Don't Leave Me This Way", and "Rhythm of the Heart"— the last of which won MTV's 1985 'National Basement Tapes' competition, solely from viewer support. Despite keying on a catchy pop and rock sound, the band fell into obscurity as the musical scenes of the 80s shifted.
In more recent years, the Ravyns have continued to enjoy attention and notoriety by rock fans young and old as an underrated piece of 80s pop culture. "Raised on the Radio" has appeared in many trivia publications and shows, has been recorded by various newer groups over the years, and still emerges in rock radio formats worldwide. They have two additional full length albums of note: 'Remnants' and 'Live at Maxwells 1983', the latter recorded at Maxwells' night-club in Baltimore.
Rhythm of the Heart
The Ravyns Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He didn't have a plea
They locked him in the closet
Threw away the key
She thought he could be saved
From the damage done
From the day they introduced her
No one knows the rhythm
No one knows the rhythm
No one knows the rhythm of the heart
They were inseparable
They were all they had
He was gifted in the mirror
She was diamond clad
He went off to work
And his head was clear
When he got home late that evening
She had disappeared
No one knows the rhythm
No one knows the rhythm
No one knows the rhythm of the heart
She was insatiable
She had all the best
Her latest motion picture
Was a big success
All the critics cheered
But she was not around
When the ravers broke the door in
She could not be found
No one knows the rhythm
No one knows the rhythm
No one knows the rhythm of the heart
The song Rhythm of the Heart by The Ravyns is a tragic tale of a couple whose lives are torn apart by circumstances beyond their control. The song describes a man who is deemed mentally unstable and is locked away in a closet with no hope of release. However, his girlfriend believes he can be saved and tries to help him. They are each other's only support system, and the man is portrayed as a talented musician who finds solace in his art. But one day, when he returns home from work, he finds that his girlfriend has disappeared, leaving him devastated and lost. The song ends on a note of despair, leaving the listener wondering about the fate of the couple.
The lyrics of the song are open to interpretation, but it seems to be a commentary on the fragility of human life and relationships. The line, "No one knows the rhythm of the heart" suggests that however intimate we are with someone, we can never truly understand what's going on in their hearts and minds. The song also touches upon the theme of mental illness and how society often stigmatizes those who suffer from it. The fact that the man is locked away in a closet without a chance of release shows the callousness of the society and the lack of empathy towards those deemed "abnormal".
Line by Line Meaning
He was a lunatic
He was mentally unstable
He didn't have a plea
He couldn't justify his behavior
They locked him in the closet
He was confined to a small space
Threw away the key
No one planned to release him
She thought he could be saved
She believed he could be helped
From the damage done
From the harm he had experienced
From the day they introduced her
From the first time they met
He could hurt no one
He was no longer a danger to others
No one knows the rhythm
Nobody understands
No one knows the rhythm
Nobody comprehends
No one knows the rhythm of the heart
Nobody understands how the heart truly works
They were inseparable
They were always together
They were all they had
They relied only on each other
He was gifted in the mirror
He was handsome
She was diamond clad
She was glamorous
He went off to work
He left for his job
And his head was clear
He was focused
When he got home late that evening
When he returned later in the day
She had disappeared
She was no longer there
She was insatiable
She had an unquenchable desire
She had all the best
She had everything she wanted
Her latest motion picture
Her most recent film
Was a big success
It was very popular
All the critics cheered
The reviewers praised it
But she was not around
She was absent
When the ravers broke the door in
When the enthusiastic fans forcibly entered
She could not be found
She was nowhere to be seen
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RICHARD KEITH BREWER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Derrick Credito
Incredible song with a video having some chilling Edgar Allan Poe references. The Ravyns have made Baltimore proud!
Steven Voynow
Brings back memories from the 80's and seeing them perform live at Maxwell's.
Robbie Ellis
This really brings back memories. I remembered the song immediately. The Ravyns were a great band.
Patricia B
Such a great song! "He was gifted in the mirror"....awesome!
Lars Gunblade
Great video. And really well shot!
Jeff Wolinski
Still a classic and a must watch on EAP's BDay!
Lone Wolf Attack
Not only don't I know what this song is about, I don't even know why MTV kicked it out of the competition. The only thing I know is that I had a good laugh over the rationale Kyf and Lee gave to the press and Martha gave on the air the next episode for why they were pulling out. They might as well have said they couldn't continue because the band had gotten abducted by aliens. I mean, hey, they even had an alien abduction video on the show earlier that year (The Actual Size's "UFO's") -- every Basement Tapes fan would have bought that.
Susan Martin
Awesome video. Can't believe I never saw it until now! Ravyn maniac from way back Baltimore in the 80's.
Ash
This song gets stuck in my head
Ravyns Documentary
I wonder if the original negative still exists. I bet this video would look great in HD.