In 1978, A&M Records released Tim Curry's debut solo album. Entitled Read My Lips, the album featured an eclectic range of songs (mostly covers) performed in diverse genre. Highlights of the album are a reggae version of the Beatles song "I Will", a rendition of "Wake Nicodemus" with full bagpipe backing, and an original bar-room ballad, "Alan".
The following year, Curry's second and most successful album was released. Titled Fearless, the LP was more rock-oriented than Read My Lips and mostly featured original songs rather than cover versions. The record included Tim Curry's only US charting songs: "I Do the Rock" and "Paradise Garage".
Curry's third and final album, Simplicity, was released in 1981, again by A&M Records. This record did not sell as well as the previous offerings, due in part to a less appealing, more maudlin sound. This record combined both original songs and cover versions, and is commonly held to be the weakest of the three albums.
In 1989, A&M released The Best of Tim Curry on CD and cassette, featuring songs from his albums (including a live version of "Alan") and a previously-unreleased song, a live cover version of "Simple Twist of Fate".
Curry toured America with his band through the late 1970s and the first half of the 1980s.
Curry's first full-time role was as part of the original London cast of the musical Hair in 1968. Here he first met Richard O'Brien, who went on to create his next full-time and perhaps still most famous role, that of Frank N. Furter in the Rocky Horror Show.
Originally Curry rehearsed the character with a German accent and peroxide blonde hair, but the character evolved into the sly, very upper-class English (He says 'dine' instead of down, 'brine' instead of brown etc) drag-wearing mad scientist incarnation that carried over to the movie version and made Curry both a star and a cult figure. He continued to play the character in London, Los Angeles and New York until 1975.
For many years, Curry was reluctant to talk about Rocky Horror, feeling that it was a trend that had gone too far and had distracted attention away from his later roles. However, in recent years he has been much more open about discussing the show and now recognises it as a "rite of passage" for many young people.
S.O.S
Tim Curry Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In waters so deep
Much too far from shore
To see the light of reason anymore
And I'm sinking slowly to the bottom
No emotions to save me
I ain't got 'em anymore
Night and day
Much too far from home
Where the fires of passion keep me warm
And I'm miles away from where we started
No I don't know the reason that we parted anymore
S.O.S.
I'm gonna do my best
To get a message through to you
Make contact
The way we always did before
S.O.S.
I'm gonna get no rest
'Til I come sailing home to you
Through this storm
And if my voice
Starts suddenly shaking
Don't be confused anymore
It's just the sound of my heart breaking
Ship to shore
S.O.S.
The lyrics to Tim Curry's song "S.O.S." depict a person feeling lost and isolated in deep waters, both physically and emotionally. The metaphorical use of water here stands for the depths of despair and depression that the person is going through. They feel too far from home where they could find solace in the fires of passion, and they have lost all emotions that could have saved them. As they drift farther away from where they started, they seek help from their loved ones and send an S.O.S. to them, intending to make contact the way they always did before. However, the person also admits that they are sinking slowly to the bottom and may not be able to come back at all. They explain that even if their voice starts shaking, it's just the sound of their heart breaking.
The song has a sad tone throughout, but at the same time, it highlights the strength of someone who is reaching out for help. "S.O.S." also reflects the despair that can come with trying to manage one's mental health and highlights the importance of being there for each other during difficult times.
Line by Line Meaning
Look at me
Pay attention to my situation and my emotions
In waters so deep
I am metaphorically submerged in a difficult situation
Much too far from shore
I am beyond the point of being able to find an easy solution
To see the light of reason anymore
I am unable to find a logical explanation for my current state
And I'm sinking slowly to the bottom
I am helpless and my situation is worsening
No emotions to save me
Emotional support is unavailable and I am left to cope on my own
I ain't got 'em anymore
I have lost my ability to feel or express emotions
Night and day
24/7, all the time
I keep drifting farther away
I feel myself slipping further from where I once was
Much too far from home
I am lost and disconnected from familiar surroundings
Where the fires of passion keep me warm
I am yearning for a place of comfort and inspiration
And I'm miles away from where we started
I have come a long way since the beginning of my struggles
No I don't know the reason that we parted anymore
I am unsure why I have become so disconnected from my starting point
S.O.S.
I desperately need help
I'm gonna do my best
I will put in all my effort
To get a message through to you
I seek to reach someone who can provide support and understanding
Make contact
Establish communication with me
The way we always did before
In the same manner that we have previously communicated
I'm gonna get no rest
I cannot afford to rest until my situation is resolved
'Til I come sailing home to you
Until I can re-establish a sense of security and familiarity
Through this storm
Despite the challenges and difficulties I face
And if my voice
In the event that my communication appears unstable
Starts suddenly shaking
If my voice trembles or sounds unstable
Don't be confused anymore
Do not be alarmed or misunderstand my intention
It's just the sound of my heart breaking
It is the expression of my intense emotional pain
Ship to shore
The communication from my location to outside help
Lyrics © Spirit Music Group
Written by: DICK WAGNER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind