Lead vocalist Danny Wilde began his musical career as the lead singer of The Quick, an L.A.-based punk and power pop inspired combo briefly popular in the late 70s, breaking through with their song "Pretty Please Me". The musical duo of Danny Wilde and Phil Solem had roots in an early 80s new wave/power pop band, called Great Buildings, which released a single critically-lauded album on Columbia in 1981. Although spawning minor hits in "Hold On To Something" and "Maybe It's You", major success eluded the outfit.
After they disbanded, Wilde released a series of slick 80s solo albums before rejoining with his former partner to form the Rembrandts. Initially, the band was heavily indebted to simplistic guitar pop reminiscent of early work from The Beatles and The Everly Brothers. They also took serious inspiration from pop contemporaries such as Squeeze and Crowded House. Their first, self-titled album, released in 1990, featured the surprise #14 hit "Just the Way It Is, Baby", which managed to claw its way onto top 40 playlists despite sounding out of place for the time. Follow-up singles "Someone" and "Save Me" also garnered some airplay.
Their second record, released two years later (and titled, humorously, 'Untitled') also spawned minor hits in the brooding, violin-spiked "Johnny, Have You Seen Her?" and the breezy "Rolling Down the Hill". Both songs showed the band's partial influence from alternative rock groups. In 1995, however, the Rembrandts became a surprise, seemingly-overnight success when they recorded the theme song to the program 'Friends', a ditty reminiscent of British invasion groups called "I'll Be There For You",
The song became an instant smash based on its thirty-second TV version. Interestingly enough, they recorded the full-length version of "I'll Be There For You" only after the shorter version was recorded specifically for the TV show. The band was busy prepping their third release, 'L.P.', at the time that "I'll Be There For You" became so successful, and it was shoehorned last minute onto the end of the track order (initial pressings omit the song on the track list). Unfortunately, much of the new audience generated by the hit didn't take a shine to the rest of the low-key pop rock on the disc. The album went platinum and picked up supportive critical reviews, but it has become something of a lost 90s classic. A few follow-up singles, notably "This House Is Not a Home", generated a small amount of interest, but nothing compared to that of the 'Friends' theme.
The sudden shift in the band's fanbase-- where they had gone from being a low-flying critical success to a discarded 'one-hit-wonder' in the popular consciousness-- took its toll on the band, especially Solem. He outright quit several years later. Danny Wilde produced another Rembrandts album without him, but it was a commercial failure. In 2001, however, the duo reunited for 'Lost Together', their fourth album as a duo and fifth overall. A greatest hits compilation was released in 2006, displaying that the band did in fact have a singles history far deeper than the 'Friends' theme. As time has gone on, they've also had a cult following among power pop fans.
April 29
The Rembrandts Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I swear you haven't changed
I called you to tell you, I'm coming home in seven days
In a word it's all arranged
I've been so lonely since I lost my mind, and my patience is wearin' thin
But I feel lucky when I think of you, and how I'll see your face again
Everything is fine-April 29
[Chorus]
I used to be fearful, of the voice inside my head
And all the foolish things it said
Oh, tell me you'll be there-it would be just like old times
April 29
I've been so lonely since I lost my mind, and my patience is wearin' thin
But I feel lucky when I think of you, and how I'll see your face again
[Chorus]
Unlock the door and...throw away the key
The sun is shining-we're finally free
I've been so lonely since I lost my mind, and my patience is wearin' thin
But I feel lucky when I think of you, and how I'll see your face again
[Chorus: x2]
The Rembrandts' song "April 29" is a joyful reunion between two old friends. The singer is delighted to see his friend again and tells her that he's coming home in seven days. He's been lonely since he lost his mind, and his patience is wearing thin, but the thought of seeing his friend again makes him feel lucky. The date "April 29" is mentioned several times throughout the song, hinting at the significance of this day to the two friends.
Through the lyrics, it's clear that the singer has had a difficult time and has struggled with mental health issues. He talks about being fearful of the voice inside his head and losing his mind. However, the presence of his friend seems to bring him hope and comfort. He encourages her to be on time for their reunion, showing just how much her company means to him.
The song is lyrically rich and shows the depth of emotions that the singer is feeling. With its upbeat tempo and catchy tune, it's easy to get lost in the song's happy vibe. The chorus is particularly memorable, using repetition to emphasize the singer's eagerness to see his friend again. Overall, the song is a celebration of the power of friendship and the joy it can bring.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm so glad to see you..delighted that you came
I am extremely happy and grateful that you are here with me today. Your presence is giving me immense joy.
I swear you haven't changed
I promise that you haven't changed a bit since the last time I saw you. You are still the same person I knew and loved.
I called you to tell you, I'm coming home in seven days
I wanted to inform you that I will be returning to my home in seven days from now. I wanted to make sure you were aware of my plans.
In a word it's all arranged
I have everything planned out and organized for my return home. It's all taken care of and ready to go.
I've been so lonely since I lost my mind, and my patience is wearin' thin
I have been feeling extremely lonely lately, as I have not been in the right state of mind. My patience is also wearing thin due to the difficult situation I am in.
But I feel lucky when I think of you, and how I'll see your face again
However, whenever I think of you and the fact that I will get to see your face again soon, it makes me feel fortunate and blessed to have you in my life.
Everything is fine-April 29
April 29 is the day of my return and I believe that everything will be perfectly fine and smooth by then.
Try to be on time-April 29
Please make sure to be on time on April 29 so that we can catch up and spend time together.
I used to be fearful, of the voice inside my head
In the past, I used to be afraid of the negative thoughts and self-doubts that echoed inside my mind.
And all the foolish things it said
I used to believe in and listen to all the foolish, negative things my mind was saying.
Oh, tell me you'll be there-it would be just like old times
Please promise me that you will be by my side on my return. It will feel like we are reliving our old times together again.
Unlock the door and...throw away the key
Let's forget about all our troubles and worries and just embrace our time together. Let's be completely free and open with each other.
The sun is shining-we're finally free
The sun is shining and everything is bright and beautiful. We are finally free to enjoy and appreciate each others' company fully.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DANNY C. WILDE, PHIL SOLEM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind