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.
This House Is Not a Home
The Rembrandts Lyrics
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Then why do I have tears in my eyes?
If I were half as strong, as the steely sun
Then I could mend what I have undone
No this house is not a home
No this house is not a home
No this house is not a home
And what I mean to say, is that I need you now
And I'm sorry if I hurt you somehow
So if it's in your heart, to bring it home to me
Then we can get it back the way it should be
Ho, this house is not a home
No this house is not a home
No this house is not a home
Without you
And with God, as my witness
(And with God, as my witness)
This I swear to you
(This I swear to you)
With my heart, I do promise
(With all my heart, I do promise)
I will love and honor you
(I will love and honor you)
Now if it's in your heart
To bring it home to me
Then we can get it back
The way it should be
Ho, this house is not a home
No this house is not a home
No this house is not a home
Without you
No this house is not a home
No this house is not a home
No this house is not a home
Without you
Without you
Without you
Without you, hoo
Without you
In "This House Is Not a Home," The Rembrandts express the profound sense of emptiness and longing that can be experienced when a loved one is absent. The lyrics begin with the singer questioning the societal expectations about masculinity, wondering why men are not supposed to cry. This introspective mood is tied to the feeling of loss that the singer is experiencing due to someone special no longer being present in the house that they share. The lonely singer feels that he has made mistakes that have caused this separation, and wishes that he had the strength to fix what has been broken. The repetition of the refrain, "No this house is not a home without you," reinforces the notion that a loved one is an essential part of making a house a true home.
As the song progresses, the singer acknowledges the hurt that may have been inflicted on the loved one and apologizes for any wrongdoing. The sincerity of the singer's words is emphasized through his vow to love and honor the loved one, and his plea for their return. The desperation in his voice is palpable when he pleads, "if it's in your heart to bring it home to me," suggesting that there is nothing more he wants than to rebuild their relationship and make a home together once more. The song ends on a poignant note with the repetition of "Without you," underscoring the depth of his longing.
Line by Line Meaning
Now they say a man, ain't supposed to cry
Society expects men to be tough and not show emotions, but I can't help having tears in my eyes.
Then why do I have tears in my eyes?
I am contradicting the societal norms that men shouldn't cry and exhibiting that in reality, I am emotionally affected.
If I were half as strong, as the steely sun
If I had the resilience and steadfastness of the sun, maybe I could undo the mistakes I have made and win you back.
Then I could mend what I have undone
I could correct my mistakes and fix the problems that led to our separation.
No this house is not a home
This living space is incomplete and unhappy without you in it.
Without you
Your presence is the key to making this house a real home.
And what I mean to say, is that I need you now
All I am trying to express is that I am imperative to have you back in my life at this moment.
And I'm sorry if I hurt you somehow
I deeply apologize if my actions have caused you any discomfort or pain in any way.
So if it's in your heart, to bring it home to me
If the desire to return to our happy days resides in your heart, I believe you should come back to me.
Then we can get it back the way it should be
Together we can restore our relationship to the way it was before; happy and fulfilling.
With God, as my witness (and with God, as my witness)
I swear solemnly in front of God.
This I swear to you (this I swear to you)
I promise to the best of my ability and potential in front of God.
With my heart, I do promise (with all my heart, I do promise)
I guarantee from the depths of my heart.
I will love and honor you (I will love and honor you)
I will love, cherish and give you respect always.
Now if it's in your heart to bring it home to me
Again, I plead with you to come back to me before we lose the love we hold for each other
Without you
My home and heart are incomplete without you in it.
Without you, hoo
Again my assertion that my existence and contentment are inextricably linked to your presence and companionship.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Chris Reilly
I was 14 when u bought there album LP it alway killed me that know one really else in uk listened to the Rembrandt’s other songs!! This one is amazing so is “drowning in your tears”
inty carhuarupay
Hace 20 vi este video pormprkmera vez y sigue igual de disfrutable
Nora Frik
i love rembrandts thank you
Cris Gutierrez
Que canción
Chando Luna
Yasmine was just the best
Marquis Washington
She really was
Isla Edmonson-Brown
Yasmine Bleeth is the main reason I gave my daughter the same name. The other was the group Yaz.
Rod Tweedell
I am the old guy who played the server at the pool party.
William Peachey
+Rod Tweedell liar
HOPE
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