The band received some media criticism for Jeff Martin's Jim Morisson-like stage persona in some of its videos and their Led Zeppelin-esq riffs, although he seemed determined to be striving to create his own image and sound. His looks certainly do draw some comparison, however, to The Doors' late front man.
Their sound is hard to categorize as each album possessed different themes and influences. Splendor Solis (1993) was a more acoustic, blues-based record, while Edges of Twilight (1995) was much darker with strong Middle Eastern influences on several tracks. Transmission (1997) saw a dramatic change to a darker, more industrial-tinged sound, and it was distributed in the USA by Atlantic Records. The last three albums by the band featured various efforts to attract a wider commercial audience, with the single "Heaven Coming Down" reaching No.1 on the Canadian mainstream charts in 1999.
In 2000, Capitol Records finally released a retrospective compilation in the USA of their Canadian singles entitled Tangents after only releasing their first two albums south of the border.
The Tea Party released The Interzone Mantras in 2001, but it did not possess the singles of its predecessors.
In October 2005, a year after their final album Seven Circles was released, Jeff Martin left the band and embarked on a solo career, releasing an album in early 2006. Jeff Burrows (drummer) and Stuart Chatwood (bass/synthesiser) have also had post-Tea Party successes, the former in several projects and the latter in soundtrack composition. Burrows and Chatwood worked together on a new project called The Art Decay before Burrows joined Crash Karma in 2008.
On April 12th 2011, an official Facebook page was launched with a biography section that closed with "The band is scheduled to play a select number of dates in 2011. No other info was available at this time." The following day, the local radio station K106.3 announced the Sarnia Bayfest lineup including The Tea Party, which was later confirmed by drummer Jeff Burrows on his radio show on April 13th. Burrows further stated that a Canadian tour was also in the works.
The Tea Party performed at the Cisco Systems Bluesfest in Ottawa, Ontario on July 14th, 2011, and the band will be playing a Canadian tour commencing on November 15th, 2011 in Vancouver. The band's website and tour is called "THE TEA PARTY - No Politics... Just Rock and Roll". In September 2011, the band was reportedly approached to sell its website URL for over a million dollars by the extremely popular American political movement bearing the same name: www.teaparty.com.
water
The Tea Party Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The Tea Party's song Water is a sombre ballad about the end of a relationship that has been tainted by hatred and regret. The first verse sets the tone for the rest of the song, describing how both parties stand together hand in hand, looking up at the stars and shifting sands. However, the singer of the song is aware that if they stay in the relationship, it will only crumble and fall apart. Despite this, they can't help but feel as though they will break their partner's heart.
The second verse makes reference to a river that still flows on and on, yet the hatred that the singer feels has tainted their soul. They describe their relationship as "close but far back again," indicating that they have lost the intimacy they once shared. The singer is aware that their partner shouldn't stay with them, as what was and what is, will now be for all the world to see. In the chorus, the singer repeats that they feel no shame for the relationship's failure, as the water is on fire, symbolizing the destruction that has occurred.
In the third and final verse, the singer offers one last chance to share a final dance, but they are aware that it will ultimately lead to heartbreak. In the end, they declare that they feel no shame for their actions, and that they will not change their ways, despite the destruction they've caused. The song is a haunting portrayal of a relationship that has fallen apart, and the consequences that come with it.
Line by Line Meaning
Here we stand hand in hand
We are together, united.
See those stars those shifting sands
We notice that the world is constantly changing, especially with time.
If I stay it falls apart
Everything depends on whether I leave or stay.
It's sad but true
Unfortunately, reality is hard to accept.
I'll break your heart
I will hurt you deeply if you stay with me.
I know that river still flows
Even though everything changes, certain things remain the same.
On and on
Continuously, without end.
But that hatred has tainted my soul
My hatred has made me impure and corrupt within.
So the story goes
As expected, this is what's happened.
Close but far back again
Our relationship is complicated and uncertain.
Lovers lost sweet lament
We are mourning the loss of what once was.
You shouldn't stay here with me
It's not safe or healthy for you to stay with me.
For all you know
You have no idea what's really going on.
What was, what is will now be
The past and present will always shape the future.
For all the world to see
Everyone will know what has happened, whether we like it or not.
I feel no shame, I was to blame
I am not guilty, but I acknowledge my mistakes.
(The) Water's on fire
Things are heating up and becoming more intense.
I will not change
I cannot change, no matter how much I want to.
Here we are one last chance
This might be our last opportunity to reconcile.
Can we share this final dance
Can we make the most of this moment before it's too late?
You thought the truth was only you
You believed you were the only one who knew the truth.
My love or desire
What I feel for you is a mix of love and desire.
Gimme the fire
We need more passion and intensity in our relationship.
Ahh ohh
Expressing emotion and intensity.
Water's on fire
Things are reaching a boiling point.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
David Sebag
They've never produced anything below perfection. I love these guys. This song has a soul. Jeff is a living legend
valentin80
This band is the best kept secret in the rock industry...
AbstractName
One of the best rock bands. So glad they are back. Great song, great video.
David Martinez
The tea party never fails to disappoint, this song is proof as wellas the whole album
Gene Phillips
One of my all time favourite bands. Truly sad that they’re not at the same level as Rush or Bryan Adams....
Barbara Brown
This track is classic Tea Party. Even after the first listen, it stays with you and makes you yearn to hear it again. Can't listen to it enough. Incredible vocals on this Martin!
louis malinak
My heart always soars when I listen to The Tea Party. Magic live, trust me.
david martell
extremely talented band .I never miss this band when they come to montreal
Darren Spiece
This band is so intense! Goose bumps!
Derek Atherton
This is a tune I cannot get out of my head. TP boys should be very proud of this work. What a deadly tune all around. I heard it once, and it's never left me since. Awesome recording as well, and likely revolution recording. I LOVE this banger. So good. Jeff will make you learn how to sing with perfect diction if you get lucky enough for a quick hang, or listen closely enough.