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.
As Long As I Am Breathing
The Rembrandts Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But this feelin' inside
It fills my world, with hope
Oh yeah it fills my heart
It fills my heart with pride
There ain't no room
Ain't no room to doubt
So I will tell it to you, oh I'll tell it to you
Again tonight, again tonight
Don't you know that I'll, I'll be your man
As long as I'm livin', by you I'll stand
Baby don't you know I'll, I'll be your man
As long as I, as long as I am breathing
Yea yea
And if you feel insecure
And the world around is gray
Well baby you can, rest assured
That I won't run away run away
Don't you know that I'll, I'll be your man
As long as I'm livin', by you I'll stand
But baby don't you know I'll, I'll be your man
As long as I, as long as I am breathing
Yea as long as I am breathing
As long as blood is coursing through my veins
I'm gonna make it right, this love will never end
And as long as we can lift our heads above the clouds
To see the light this love will never end
Oh honey now, let me tell it to you
'Cause I think you ought to know
Let me say it now, and forever
'Cause it's the only way, the only way I know
Can't you see that I'll, I'll be your man
As long as I'm livin' by you I'll stand
Baby don't you know I'll, I'll be your man
As long as I, as long as I am breathing
As long as I am breathing
As long as I am breathing
As long as I am breathing
The Rembrandts’ song “As Long As I Am Breathing” is a declaration of never-ending love and devotion to a partner. The song seems to be written to reassure the singer's lover, making sure they know that they are their partner for life. The first verse establishes this, as the singer reveals that what they feel inside fills their world with hope and pride. This love is strong, and there is no room to doubt what it’s all about, indicating that the sender is unwavering in their passion.
The chorus, where the singer explicitly states his loyalty to his partner, serves as the emotional climax of the song. The repetition of “as long as I am breathing” is a strong statement of commitment, suggesting that nothing will come between the couple as long as they are alive. The second verse of the song addresses the possibility of feeling insecure and how the singer won't be running away and will remain steadfastly by his partner’s side.
Overall, the song speaks to a deep, unbreakable bond between two people, one that can overcome any obstacle. The power of love and loyalty is what fuels the desire to remain present, to remain devoted to a partner, and to be their man for as long as they are breathing.
Line by Line Meaning
Now maybe it don't show
Although it may not be evident
But this feelin' inside
This internal emotion
It fills my world, with hope
Brings hope to my entire world
Oh yeah it fills my heart
Fills my heart with this feeling
It fills my heart with pride
This feeling also brings pride to my heart
There ain't no room
There is no space
Ain't no room to doubt
No reason to doubt
What this good thing's all about
The reason for this positive thing
So I will tell it to you, oh I'll tell it to you
I will share it with you
Again tonight, again tonight
Repeatedly, even tonight
Don't you know that I'll, I'll be your man
Letting the listener know that I will be there for them
As long as I'm livin', by you I'll stand
I'll be by your side forever
Baby don't you know I'll, I'll be your man
Reiterating the commitment
As long as I, as long as I am breathing
As long as I'm alive
And if you feel insecure
If you lack confidence
And the world around is gray
If everything seems dull and lifeless
Well baby you can, rest assured
You can be sure
That I won't run away run away
That I'll never leave you
Yea as long as I am breathing
As long as I'm alive
As long as blood is coursing through my veins
As long as I'm alive and healthy
I'm gonna make it right, this love will never end
I'll make sure things are good and our love will never fail
And as long as we can lift our heads above the clouds
As long as we can find happiness in the tough times
To see the light this love will never end
Our love will always be alive
Oh honey now, let me tell it to you
Let me express this to you
'Cause I think you ought to know
Because I believe you should be aware
Let me say it now, and forever
I'll say it now and forever
'Cause it's the only way, the only way I know
It's my only way of expressing this love
Can't you see that I'll, I'll be your man
I hope you can see that I'll always be with you
As long as I'm livin' by you I'll stand
I'll never leave your side
As long as I am breathing
As long as I'm alive
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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