Following the album's release, the Screaming Jets went to the UK where they based themselves for over two years, touring there and throughout Europe with a variety of hard rock and heavy metal bands. During a series of shows with Ugly Kid Joe, Heaney was fired and replaced for the rest of the tour by one-time Judas Priest drummer Dave Holland.
The band's next album Tear of Thought, which featured Heaney's drumming, was initially slow to gain acceptance until a cover of Boys Next Door's "Shivers" saw the Screaming Jets back in the charts. Heaney was permanently replaced in the line-up by former BB Steal drummer Craig Rosevear and after a US tour with Def Leppard Lara was replaced by Melbourne musician Jimi "The Human" Hocking, who had previously fronted his own band, Jimi Human and Spectre 7, that released an album and two singles at the turn of the decade.
While the Screaming Jets remained only moderately successful overseas, in Australia they were one of the top-drawing live bands of the early-mid 1990s and perhaps the last remaining example of the pub rock acts that had ruled the country's live scene in the late 1970s - mid 1980s. While their single releases rarely scored high on the charts, they won significant airplay on rock radio and the band's tours were wildly successful. In 1995 the Screaming Jets' self-titled album made history when it became the first CD launched via live Webcast.
By the late 90s the Screaming Jets were touring less often and had not released an album of new material since 1996. Hocking had left in 1997 to be replaced by former Judge Mercy guitarist Izzy Osmanovich and after an extensive Australian tour in 2000, Rosevear left to be replaced by Col Hatchman. Although no longer the force they had once been, the Screaming Jets could still draw large crowds and in 2001 were selected to tour with Kiss and Alice Cooper; at the end of that year the band announced an extended break from all touring and recording, playing a final series of shows.
In December 2002, the Screaming Jets did another brief tour in support of a self-financed live album that had been recorded the previous year, but then did not play live again until mid-2004. Since then have continued to record and tour, though more sporadically than during the early 1990s and have also signed a record publishing deal with Universal Records.
Reputation
The Screaming Jets Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Used to take one but now he needs four
Its medication for his adult add
He's zoning out on the family life
Never playing with the kids; h not talking to his wife
Wherever he is, it ain't where he wants to be
Well he's not giving up a reputation he's been working on all the time for so long
Well he ain't coming back
Always on the need for another score
Used to be up front now he's back door
Trading it in for a part time love affair
He said he'd sell everything just for one more chance
Dance with the Devil but the Devil ain't gonna dance
And when he turns his back, it won't be there yeah
Well he's not giving up a reputation he's been working on all the time for so long
Well he ain't coming back
Well he had everything and he's traded it in for just a little more
Well he's not giving up a reputation he's been working on all the time
No going back across the line
He's not giving up a reputation
Ya know he's been working on all the time for so long
The Screaming Jets's song "Reputation" talks about a man who is addicted to drugs, specifically medication for his adult attention deficit disorder (ADD) and is slowly losing everything he holds dear due to his addiction. He used to get a rush out of one pill, but now he needs four to get the same high. He has become disconnected from his family and is not actively involved in their lives. He is not interested in talking to his wife or playing with his kids, which has eventually led him to be unhappy with where he is in life. He is always in need of more drugs and is willing to trade in everything he has, including his family and relationships, for just one more chance to get high. The man is aware of the mess he has created around him, but his addiction and reputation are more important to him. The lyrics convey the idea that he is not willing to give up his reputation, which he has worked hard to build up over time, despite the price he has to pay.
The song's lyrics are relatable to those who are struggling with addiction, as it talks about how addiction can make one lose sight of everything they hold dear. It also highlights the fact that addiction does not discriminate, and anyone can fall prey to its grasp. The song aims to raise awareness about the dangers of drug addiction and how it can lead to the loss of everything one cares about.
Line by Line Meaning
He's not getting the rush anymore
He is not experiencing the same thrill as before
Used to take one but now he needs four
He used to enjoy with one but due to adult attention deficit disorder, he needs more
Its medication for his adult add
He uses drugs to manage his adult attention deficit disorder
He's zoning out on the family life
He is indifferent towards his family and not actively participating in their life
Never playing with the kids; h not talking to his wife
He is avoiding spending quality time with his kids and not communicating with his wife
Wherever he is, it ain't where he wants to be
He is dissatisfied with his current situation and wishes to be someplace else
Well he's not giving up a reputation he's been working on all the time for so long
He is not willing to let go of his well-established reputation that he has worked hard for over the years
Well he ain't coming back
He is not returning to his previous way of life
Always on the need for another score
He is always looking for another dose of drugs
Used to be up front now he's back door
He used to be open about his drug use but now he is hiding it
Trading it in for a part time love affair
He is neglecting his family for a fleeting, part-time love affair
He said he'd sell everything just for one more chance
He is desperate for another drug fix and is willing to do anything for it
Dance with the Devil but the Devil ain't gonna dance
He is dealing with the consequences of his actions and nobody, not even the Devil, can help him now
And when he turns his back, it won't be there yeah
When he finally realizes what he has lost, it will be too late to get it back
Well he had everything and he's traded it in for just a little more
He gave up everything he had for a temporary high
No going back across the line
He cannot undo the decisions he has made
He's not giving up a reputation
He values his reputation highly
Ya know he's been working on all the time for so long
He has worked hard to build his reputation over the years
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: DAVID GLEESON, GRANT WALMSLEY, PAUL WOSEEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Earthy Irwin
on Better
Great work Grant Walmsley