The Tories debut album "Wonderful Life" establishes the band's trademark power pop sound, and features some of their most memorable music.
The Tories are:
Steve Bertrand - Vocals, guitar
JJ Farris - Guitar, vocals
James Guffee - Bass, vocals
Brent Klopp - Drums
Album - The Upside of Down
The Tories have been to the other side and back. Steve Bertrand (vocals/guitar), James Guffee (bass/vocals) and J.J. Farris (guitar/vocals) have faced many changes and upheavals that would have shattered even the strongest of bands. From the parting of a member to the loss of family, The Tories have overcome their adversity to create the beautifully haunting The Upside of Down, the follow up release to their 1997 debut Wonderful Life.
Exploring a darker sound that retains elements of hope and humor on this sophomore effort, The Upside of Down encapsulates the spirit of this band. "It's sort of a starting over for us and that's what we really want to celebrate," says Bertrand. "It's been an incredibly difficult time, but it's a new day. The core of the band is still together, and we're very proud of the record we have made." Bryan Head (Black Lab) on drums rounds out this quartet and brings to the band a driving energy that is a mighty addition to their live shows.
Formed in Los Angeles in 1995, The Tories quickly found themselves in the middle of record/publishing offers after only six months of playing together. It was only when legendary producer Phil Ramone entered the picture that their dreams were realized. After signing with Ramone's own N2K Records, The Tories soon found themselves on the road tirelessly touring and promoting their debut album. "Gladys Kravitz," the first single and video from Wonderful Life, went top ten on M2. Billboard Magazine called the record "pure pop heaven." The band spent the summer of 1998 on the road with the VH-1 Rock Across America Tour as well as appearing on Entertainment Tonight, The Magic Johnson Show, The Keenan Ivory Wayans Show, E! Entertainment, ESPN, Viva Variety, USA Network and many other television programs. The tour also included dates in Europe. "We would see people in the audience in Spain or France, who could not even speak English but would be singing the lyrics to our songs," says Bertrand. "That's when it hit me how powerful music is. I'm always blown away when someone approaches me to tell me how much one of our songs has meant to them. Music is such a powerful medium and communicates so much."
After a whirlwind year of touring, it was at a hometown show that producer Gavin MacKillop (Toad the Wet Sprocket) approached the band to write and record the theme song for the NBC sitcom Jesse starring Christina Applegate. "We were so on that night", says Farris. "After being on the road so long, we were like a machine!" They went on to write the theme song "Time for You" as well as perform the underscore for the entire show. After two successful seasons in the top ten, The Tories were rewarded with the 1999 and 2000 ASCAP Film and Television Awards.
The Upside of Down was produced by The Tories and multi-talented Stuart Brawley (Foo Fighters, Don Henley, Michael Jackson.) "We couldnΒΉt have made this record without him," says Guffee. "It was a labor of love, and we're very grateful for his talent and contribution to the album." Brawley and renowned mix engineers James "Jimbo" Barton, Gavin MacKillop and Joe Chiccarelli deftly handled the mixing duties. Recorded almost entirely at home and rehearsal, this record is a fierce 11-song collection that still embraces the trademark Tories sound, but reflects a more seasoned approach. "Point of View" speaks of the splintering of friendships as the band found success early on. "The End" raises the sarcastic question, "What am I doing with my life?" to the beat of a marching band.
From the longing opening chords of "Would You Notice," to the transparent candor of "All The World's For Sale," The Tories plant new seeds in familiar soil. The result is the powerful The Upside of Down, a contemplative and confident record that's sure to please those who loved Wonderful Life as well as open the door to countless new fans.
The End
The Tories Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Into the future
I wonder if I'd still be
A self-made loser
Some say that life's not fair
I'm still not certain
Ask me if you're still there
Holding on to me when I'm 43
I must be somewhere
Invest my life with dividends
Cashing out my friends
Hold your breath tomorrow
Here comes the end
Still chewing on the bones
Of yesterday's headlines
Undressed and on the phone
I'm watching "Dateline"
It seems with deeper joy
Comes deeper sorrow
The purging of the boy
Still inside of me, tell me you can see
Am I anywhere?
I must be somewhere
Invest my life with dividends
Cashing out my friends
Hold your breath tomorrow
Here comes the end
The lyrics to The Tories's song "The End" speak to the uncertainty and anxiety of facing the future, and the regret of looking back at missed opportunities. The singer wonders if they would have made different choices if they could see into the future, reflecting on their own sense of being an underachiever. The chorus speaks to the theme of being lost and investing in one's own life to find meaning, but also the cost that comes with it, even at the expense of friendships. The ending of the world also plays a significant role in the lyrics, representing both a metaphorical and literal realization that everything is temporal and fleeting.
The opening lines suggest that the singer is plagued by the unknowns of their future, with the first line stating "If I could only see into the future." The line "I wonder if I'd still be a self-made loser" shows that they have a certain self-awareness about their own failures and potential to do better. The next lines are a bit more ambiguous, with the phrase "ask me if you're still there" potentially representing a plea for help or reassurance. The line "holding on to me when I'm 43" could represent a specific age, but also symbolizes the idea of holding onto one's youth and life as it passes by.
The chorus in the song emphasizes the themes of uncertainty and anxiety, with the idea of being lost and investing in one's own life through "dividends" and "cashing out" on relationships. The line "hold your breath tomorrow, here comes the end" punctuates the song and may represent both the idea of facing an uncertain future, as well as the actual apocalypse.
Overall, the lyrics to "The End" by The Tories are introspective and somber, portraying the doubts and anxieties that arise when one considers their own mortality and future. The lyrics are poetic and thought-provoking, leaving much to interpretation and open to various meanings.
Line by Line Meaning
If I could only see
If I had a way of knowing what the future holds
Into the future
What is yet to come
I wonder if I'd still be
I am uncertain if I would remain the same
A self-made loser
A person who has failed to be successful through their own actions
Some say that life's not fair
There are people who believe that life is inherently unjust
I'm still not certain
I remain unsure of this fact
Ask me if you're still there
If you are still present, feel free to inquire
Holding on to me when I'm 43
Continuing to support me when I am older
Am I anywhere?
Do I have a place in this world?
I must be somewhere
I must have a purpose or location
Invest my life with dividends
Make my life worthwhile through experience and growth
Cashing out my friends
Using the relationships I have built for personal gain
Hold your breath tomorrow
Prepare for what is yet to come
Here comes the end
A conclusion or finale is imminent
Still chewing on the bones
Continuing to dwell on past events
Of yesterday's headlines
News that is no longer relevant or important
Undressed and on the phone
Vulnerable and exposed, without privacy
I'm watching 'Dateline'
I am fixated on the media and current events
It seems with deeper joy
The greater the pleasure, the greater the potential for pain
Comes deeper sorrow
The flip-side of happiness is sadness
The purging of the boy
The process of maturing and leaving childhood behind
Still inside of me, tell me you can see
Is my youthful self still evident to you?
Contributed by Ella D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Adriana Spalinky
They came for grief,
They had a thirst for knowledge,
They studied politics
At St.Starmer's college
That's where Pye
Caught our' eye
Rishi'
Pretend you've got no Tories
That's like reality
More is
Oh my my
And then in by election
Results time
We said
Let's imagine we've got no Tories
john stirling
This is just brilliant, everything packed into less than 2 minutes and oh so accurate and succinct. MORE please.
Simon Nathan
And despite that, a good 5 seconds of it was spent on a pig fucking joke. Absolutely masterful work.
Kyorin
Sadly, I think there is actualy quite a bit that they weren't able to pack in....
carol todd
Fantastic this is what every one wants at work Tories out
Max Power II
i think it focussed little to much on Brexit and not on COVID and itβs devastating effect on the the Tory Party post Johnson. Apart from that otherwise brilliant.
Huples Cat
This needs to be released as a single and become number one.
Kim Aspindale
Play as Roland leaves no 10
Great
Jackson MacManus
get it to No.1 on election night, whenever that is, so they are forced to play it on the radios just as the results are coming in
Huples Cat
@Jackson MacManus err. God Dave the Queen was held at number two. We are not free
Andrew John Fillery
Absolutely incredible. How it follows both the phrasing of the original song and the Tory timeline at once is just outstanding.