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.
Hung on You
The Romantics Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And you′d still say, "Boy, that's not enough"
But the way you look, you hypnotize
You send a chill in through my thighs
And I feel like bustin′ at my sleeves
And I can't stand the pain
I can't stand the pain
There′s not a thing I can do
I'm hung on you, I′m hung on you
Well, you have got a tight grip on my heart
I'm no slave, but for you, I′ll play the part
And you drive me crazy with your teasin'
I′d gladly get down on my knees if
You could remove this hurt I've got
And I can't stand the pain
I can′t stand the pain
No, I can′t stand the pain
There's not a thing I can do
I′m hung on you, I'm hung on you
I′m hung on you, I'm hung on you
Oh yes, I′m hung on you
Ooh, girl, you boil the blood that's in my veins
And your pretty face goes runnin' around
′Round and ′round my brain
This new sensation is drivin' me wild
I wanna scream out like a child
This feelin′ could drive a man insane
I can't stand the pain
I just can′t stand the pain
No, no, I can't stand the pain
Not a thing I can do
I′m hung on you, I'm hung on you
I'm hung on you, I′m hung on you
I′m hung on you, I'm hung on you
I′m hung on you, yes, I'm hung on you
The lyrics to The Romantics's song "Hung On You" depict a person who is deeply infatuated and emotionally attached to someone else. In the first verse, the singer expresses their willingness to give their love to the other person, yet it seems that no matter how much love they offer, it is never enough. They are captivated by the other person's appearance, feeling a strong physical and emotional connection that sends shivers through their body. The line "And I feel like bustin' at my sleeves" suggests that the singer is overwhelmed with desire and passion.
The chorus reveals the singer's vulnerability and inability to withstand the pain they feel due to this one-sided love. They are hung on the other person, meaning they are constantly thinking about them, longing for their attention and affection. The repetition of "I can't stand the pain" emphasizes the intensity of their emotions and their powerlessness to change the situation. Despite the pain, they are unable to let go.
In the second verse, the singer describes how the other person has a tight grip on their heart, implying that they have power and control over them. They are willing to play any role and be at the other person's mercy, even if it means sacrificing their own independence. The other person's teasing drives the singer crazy, and they express a willingness to humbly submit themselves to alleviate the pain they are experiencing. This demonstrates their desperation to find relief from their emotional torment.
The final verse portrays the profound impact the other person has on the singer's mental and physical state. The mention of their pretty face running around in the singer's brain signifies obsessive thoughts and preoccupation. The singer compares their heightened emotions to a childlike state, highlighting the uncontrollable and overwhelming nature of their feelings. They are aware that this level of infatuation can drive a person to the brink of madness.
Overall, "Hung On You" delves into the intense emotions of unrequited love, conveying the singer's deep longing, emotional dependency, and the pain they endure while being unable to detach themselves from the object of their affection. It portrays the all-consuming nature of infatuation and the agony that comes with it.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I could give you all my love
I'm willing to give you everything I have
And you'd still say, "Boy, that's not enough"
Even if I give you everything, you still won't be satisfied
But the way you look, you hypnotize
Your appearance has a mesmerizing effect on me
You send a chill in through my thighs
You evoke a thrilling sensation deep within me
And I feel like bustin' at my sleeves
I'm overflowing with intense emotions
And I can't stand the pain
The pain of longing for you is unbearable
There's not a thing I can do
I'm helpless in my desire for you
I'm hung on you, I'm hung on you
I'm completely infatuated with you
Well, you have got a tight grip on my heart
You have a strong hold on my feelings
I'm no slave, but for you, I'll play the part
I'm willingly surrendering to your influence
And you drive me crazy with your teasin'
Your flirting and teasing is maddening
I'd gladly get down on my knees if
I'm willing to do anything to ease this pain
You could remove this hurt I've got
If only you could take away this emotional pain
Ooh, girl, you boil the blood that's in my veins
You ignite intense passion within me
And your pretty face goes runnin' around
Your beautiful face occupies my thoughts
'Round and 'round my brain
You constantly occupy my mind
This new sensation is drivin' me wild
This intense feeling is overwhelming me
I wanna scream out like a child
I'm filled with so much emotion that I want to scream
This feelin' could drive a man insane
This feeling is so overpowering that it could make someone lose their mind
I just can't stand the pain
The pain of yearning for you is too much to bear
I'm hung on you, I'm hung on you
I'm deeply attached to you
I'm hung on you, yes, I'm hung on you
I'm undeniably infatuated with you
Writer(s): Gerry Goffin, Phil Spector, Carole King
Contributed by Isabella S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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.