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.
There Goes Lucy
The Rembrandts Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And she will find me there
Among the used and broken-take another victim
Who's to say what's fair?
Do you care-do you have the answer?
And who's to say what's love?
But...
There goes lucy-there goes lucy
Hey na na na na
There goes lucy, down my street
She got nowhere to go
But hell, lucy says she loves me, just because I'm kind to her
She will find me there, among the wracked and ruined
I want to be her victim
Look inside me-you will find me
[Chorus]
Oh, I see a fallen angel, out my bedroom window
And she takes to the sky
Although her wing is broken, she's just another victim
But she inspires me to refine me
She inspires me to refine me
[Chorus: x2]
...but hell
She got nowhere to go......she got nowhere to go
I said she got nowhere to go...
The lyrics of The Rembrandts's song "There Goes Lucy" tell a story that revolves around the singer's perception of a fallen angel, Lucy. He sees her as a victim of circumstances, just like himself, who is trying to find her place in the world. Despite being used and broken, he wants to be her victim, and she says she loves him just for being kind to her. The singer raises existential questions about fairness, love, and their connection to the meaning or purpose of life, suggesting that, ultimately, no one can objectively answer them.
The singer portrays Lucy as a source of inspiration for self-reflection and refinement. She might not find her way, having nowhere to go, but her brokenness and vulnerability make her approachable and relatable, moving the singer to aspire for self-improvement. The metaphors of fallen angels, victims, and ruined people evoke a melancholic, hopeless tone, while the chorus's upbeat melody and onomatopoeic sound of "Hey na na na na" suggests an opposite feeling of joyfulness and even admiration for Lucy.
Overall, the song is a catchy, reflective tune that explores the themes of insecurity, social exclusion, and the human desire for connection and understanding.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, I see a fallen angel, out my bedroom window
I am observing someone who seems like an angel who has fallen and is struggling, visible from my bedroom window.
And she will find me there
This fallen angel will inevitably come across me.
Among the used and broken-take another victim
I am among those who have been used and broken, likely to become another victim of circumstance.
Who's to say what's fair?
It is unclear what constitutes as fair or just in this situation.
Do you care-do you have the answer?
Do you have any concern or possible solution to this problem?
And who's to say what's love?
Once again, it is unclear what love actually means or what it encompasses.
[Chorus] There goes lucy-there goes lucy Hey na na na na There goes lucy, down my street She got nowhere to go
Lucy, someone with no destination, is passing by in front of me
But hell, lucy says she loves me, just because I'm kind to her
Lucy, devoid of much love or kindness, claims to love me even though the only reason is my kindness towards her.
I want to be her victim
I want to be the recipient of Lucy's love and affection, even if it may be unhealthy.
Look inside me-you will find me
If you were to peer into my inner self or soul, you would still see me present.
Oh, I see a fallen angel, out my bedroom window
Once more, I gaze upon the fallen angel outside my window.
And she takes to the sky
This angel, despite being broken, begins to soar upwards into the sky.
Although her wing is broken, she's just another victim
Even with a broken wing, this angel remains a victim of circumstance.
But she inspires me to refine me
Despite her struggles, this angel motivates me to improve and grow as a person.
[Chorus: x2]
The chorus repeats twice.
...but hell
But despite all of this,
She got nowhere to go......she got nowhere to go
Lucy is still aimlessly moving without a true destination in mind.
I said she got nowhere to go...
Again, I reiterate that Lucy is without a specific direction or purpose.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DANNY C. WILDE, J. BEECHER LASWELL MUSIC, PHIL SOLEM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind