Influenced by 60s British Invasion music (such as the songs of The Kinks, The Who, The Beatles, The Hollies, and The Rolling Stones), 70s Detroit garage rock and hard rock (as represented by such performers as Iggy Pop, The Stooges, and the MC5), and the classic punk of Ramones, the Romantics play a hook-based form of rock known as power pop. The band is also commonly classified into the category of "new wave" (probably due more to the band's image and era than the sound of its music) by pop music historians.
The Romantics' original lineup consisted of rhythm guitarist/harmonica player/singer Wally Palmar, lead guitarist Mike Skill, bassist Rich Cole, and drummer/singer Jimmy Marinos. All four band members made songwriting contributions to the group, but Palmar and Skill were considered the band's primary tunesmiths. After a few years of playing local and regional gigs in Detroit and the Midwest, this lineup of the Romantics recorded the band's self-titled debut album for Nemperor Records in 1980. The album yielded the hit "What I Like About You," which reached #48 in the US, and #12 in the Netherlands, where the band was especially popular. "What I Like About You" would become much better known later in the 1980s, when its placement in television commercials and other high profile media made it an evergreen power pop anthem. The band became as well known (if not better known) for its flashy and audacious fashion sense as it did for its exciting music. The Romantics' signature look featured bouffant hairdos and skin-tight red leather suits, as worn by the band members on the cover photo of their debut album.
Mike Skill left the band after the release of its second album, National Breakout, in 1981. He was replaced by lead guitarist Coz Canler. This lineup of the band recorded the album Strictly Personal in 1982 before Rich Cole left the band that year and was replaced by a returning Mike Skill, who then became the band's bassist.
The Romantics achieved their greatest commercial success in 1983/84 with the release of the album In Heat. The first single taken from In Heat, "Talking In Your Sleep", rose to Number Three on the Billboard charts, and was also a substantial international hit. A second single, "One In A Million", charted as high as Number Thirty-Seven during the following year. The Romantics' music videos were frequently shown on the cable television network MTV during this period, solidifying the band's popularity. Also during 1983, the Romantics played well received U.S. and international concert tours in support of In Heat, and appeared on such pop music-themed television shows as Solid Gold, American Bandstand, and Soul Train.
In 1984, drummer Jimmy Marinos, dissatisfied with the artistic direction of the band (which was quickly abandoning its power pop roots in favor of more generic mainstream pop rock) and convinced that he could find success as a solo act, left the Romantics. He was replaced by David Petratos, who would serve as the band's drummer until 1990. This lineup recorded one album, Rhythm Romance, in 1985. On Rhythm Romance, the Romantics eschewed much of the energetic electric guitar- and drums-based modern rock 'n roll sound that had come to define the band's music in favor of the synthesizer pop that had won commercial success for such contemporary bands as Duran Duran, Depeche Mode, Culture Club, and other similar New Wave bands during the early 1980s. By 1985, however, synthesizer pop was beginning to fall out of popular favor. Moreover, the style was not the Romantics' strength. As a result, Rhythm Romance was not a commercial success and was also regarded as an artistic nadir by the band's fans.
In the late 1980s, the Romantics discovered that their managers had been misappropriating the profits earned by the band from its hit records and live performances. Additionally, the Romantics' best known song (the aforementioned "What I Like About You") had been licensed for use in television commercials without the band's knowledge or approval. Consequently, the Romantics filed a lawsuit against their management in 1987, and the legalities involved prevented the band from recording new music until the mid-1990s.
Former Blondie drummer Clement (Clem) Burke replaced David Petratos as the Romantics' drummer in 1990. For much of the 1990s, the Romantics played obscure performances in small venues, largely forgotten and out of the public spotlight.
The Romantics' fortunes began to rise again in the middle of the 1990s, as the band's success in its lawsuit against its former management freed the band to record again (and ensured that future earnings from the licensing of Romantics songs would go to the band). The first fruit of the band's new recording activity was the 1993 EP Made In Detroit. Several Romantics greatest hits packages were issued during the 1990s, as was the live album The King Biscuit Flower Hour Presents: The Romantics Live In Concert, a 1996 release of an October, 1983 recording of a Romantics concert in San Antonio, Texas at the height of the band's popularity.
Jimmy Marinos, the Romantics' original drummer, temporarily returned to the band for a series of performances in 1996-1997 (with Clem Burke returning to the Romantics' drumstool after Marinos departed again), and late 1990s nostalgia for 1980s pop culture caused a minor resurgence of interest in the band. In 2003, twenty years after the release of their most commercially successful album, In Heat, the Romantics released 61/49 - a more roots rock and blues-oriented record than the band's previous efforts. The album was not a great commercial success, but won the Romantics a newfound critical respect that they had not enjoyed during their popular and commercial heyday in the early 1980s. 61/49 also offered proof that despite the band's years out of the public spotlight, the Romantics remain a potent musical unit.
A fourth drummer, Brad Elvis, replaced Clem Burke as the Romantics' regular drummer in 2004 after Burke returned full time to a reactivated Blondie. The Romantics continue to play live concerts today (with occasional guest performances by previous members Jimmy Marinos, Rich Cole, and David Petratos). The band is said to currently be working on a follow up to 61/49.
Heads
The Romantics Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Always got their heads down, tell me why you got your head out
Have you seen the damn clouds, ain't no way to get 'round
But you got your head down, why you got your head out
Somethin' about the moon always shows the truth
But you got your head down, why you got your head out
Walkin' right by me, passin' me blindly
But you got your head down, oh no, you're in my head now
Ghosts' faces glow, but they don't shine
I see the love gone, I see my friends gone
Never thought it would end like this
Always knew that you'd start this shit
I see the love gone, I see my friends gone
I see the love gone
And I said my prayers, and they meant nothing
You got your head down, I got my head down
What's down there is endless, don't try to fix it
Keep your head down, oh no, you're in my head now
Oh no, time got robbed blind
Ghosts' faces glow, but they don't shine
I see the love gone, I see my friends gone
Never thought it would end like this
Always knew that you'd start this shit
I see the love gone, I see the love gone
The lyrics of The Romantics' song 'Heads In' describe the feeling of being lost and disconnected from the world, while also reflecting on the end of a relationship and the loss of friends.
The opening lines, "I was fallin' when you found me, everyone surrounding, always got their heads down," depict the singer's vulnerability and how they feel surrounded by people who are too caught up in their own problems to truly see them. The repetition of "tell me why you got your head out" suggests a frustration with someone who is not fully present or engaged.
The mention of clouds and the question "have you seen the damn clouds, ain't no way to get 'round" refers to a situation or problem that is difficult to navigate or escape from. It emphasizes the feeling of being trapped or stuck. The line "but you got your head down, why you got your head out" suggests that while others are ignoring the situation, the singer is questioning why this person has chosen to acknowledge it.
The line "somethin' about the moon always shows the truth" introduces a contrasting element. The moon is often associated with clarity and revealing hidden truths. Here, it implies that despite the difficult circumstances, there is a potential for understanding or resolution. However, the repeated question "why you got your head out" suggests that the person being addressed is not taking advantage of this opportunity.
The mention of ghosts' faces glowing but not shining might be a metaphor for past relationships or memories that still hold importance but have lost their luster. The lines "I see the love gone, I see my friends gone" reflect on the loss that the singer has experienced. There is a sense of disappointment and disbelief, as indicated by the lines "never thought it would end like this, always knew that you'd start this shit." This implies that the singer had some foresight into the inevitable demise of the relationship or situation.
The mention of prayers that meant nothing indicates a feeling of hopelessness or disbelief in the power of seeking solace through traditional means. The repetition of "you got your head down, I got my head down, what's down there is endless, don't try to fix it" suggests a resignation to the fact that there may not be a solution or resolution to the current state of affairs. The line "keep your head down, oh no, you're in my head now" could mean that despite trying to ignore or move on from the situation, it still occupies the singer's mind.
Overall, the lyrics of "Heads In" convey a sense of disillusionment, loss, and frustration with the state of relationships and connections. The imagery of heads down and the refusal to confront or acknowledge the truth reflect a theme of disengagement and emotional detachment. The repetition of certain phrases adds to the sense of contemplation and introspection, revealing the emotional pain and confusion experienced by the singer.
Line by Line Meaning
I was fallin' when you found me, everyone surrounding
I was going through a difficult time when you came into my life, and there were many people around me.
Always got their heads down, tell me why you got your head out
Everyone else seems downtrodden, but I wonder why you stand out.
Have you seen the damn clouds, ain't no way to get 'round
Have you noticed the problems and obstacles that exist? It seems impossible to avoid them.
But you got your head down, why you got your head out
Despite the difficulties, why aren't you lowering your head like everyone else?
Somethin' about the moon always shows the truth
There is always something revealing about the moon, something that exposes the truth.
But you got your head down, why you got your head out
Even though the truth is being revealed, why are you still not facing it?
Walkin' right by me, passin' me blindly
You are walking past me without even noticing my presence.
But you got your head down, oh no, you're in my head now
But despite that, I can't stop thinking about you.
Oh no, time got robbed blind
Time has been stolen and deceived.
Ghosts' faces glow, but they don't shine
The faces of the past still haunt me, but they no longer bring joy.
I see the love gone, I see my friends gone
I can see that love and friendship have vanished.
Never thought it would end like this
I never anticipated that it would all come to an end in this manner.
Always knew that you'd start this shit
Deep down, I always had a feeling that you would be the one to cause all this trouble.
I see the love gone, I see my friends gone
I can still see the absence of love and friendship.
And I said my prayers, and they meant nothing
I prayed, but my prayers felt empty and had no effect.
You got your head down, I got my head down
Both of us are keeping our heads low, avoiding confrontation.
What's down there is endless, don't try to fix it
What lies beneath is infinite and unrepairable, so don't attempt to fix it.
Keep your head down, oh no, you're in my head now
Just keep your head down, but unfortunately, you're still deeply ingrained in my thoughts.
Oh no, time got robbed blind
Oh no, time has been fooled and stolen away from us.
Ghosts' faces glow, but they don't shine
The memories of the past still linger, but they no longer bring happiness or fulfillment.
I see the love gone, I see my friends gone
I can still observe the absence of love and the loss of my friends.
I see the love gone
I clearly witness the disappearance of love.
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Gerek Patrick, Griffin Fletcher, Matthew Porter, Mitchell Manuel
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Robert Cochran
on What I Like About You
Winter of '84, 4 feet of snow drops on Harrisburg, PA the night the Romantics are to play the local club The Metro, Called to find out the band were there. Took the girlfriend to a venue of a dozen people and the band. They played that song at least 6 times, once me sing it on stage. Best concert I was ever at.