1) Tora Tora i… Read Full Bio ↴There are / were at least 2 bands going by this name.
1) Tora Tora is an American glam metal band formed in Memphis, Tennessee, United States, in 1985.
2) Were an 80's Synthpop act from France.
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1) Blues-based, Led Zeppelin inspired metal that should have made Tora Tora a household name, but sadly didn't.
Tora Tora is an American glam metal band formed in Memphis, Tennessee, United States, in 1985. "Tora" means "tiger" in Japanese and the name is a play on the code name for attack used by the Japanese Imperial Navy during their attack on Pearl Harbor, "Tora, Tora, Tora". The actual origin of the band name was more likely a reference to the song of the same name recorded by Van Halen on their 1980 release Women and Children First. In a 1989 Headbanger's Ball interview with singer Anthony Corder and bassist Patrick Francis, they said that a friend of the band came up with a list of 60 to 70 different names for their band, and they picked the name Tora Tora because it stood out to them the most. They mentioned in the same interview that the original name of the band had been "Free Beer".
One of the best-unknown bands in the hard rock genre, but lack of label support killed any chance the band had for massive success. Formed in Memphis, Tennessee, by Anthony Corder (vocals), Keith Douglas (guitar), Patrick Francis (drums) and John Patterson (drums). They quickly beat out sixty other groups in a Battle of the Bands contest and received some free studio time. They cut one track in Memphis before using the prize money they had won to record an entire independent EP called To Rock, To Roll. The studio was so impressed with the recordings that they offered to help shop the demo and gave them even more free recording time. Tora Tora eventually singed with A&M and the debut album made the Billboard Top 100, and hovered on the brink of breaking wide open. Later that same year "Dancing With A Gypsy" would appear on the soundtrack for Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure. The follow-up, while being another classic, sold even less copies then the debut. A third album, Revolution Day, was recorded in 1994, but it was never released due to label restructuring. After missing the due date, the band folded.
Recent years have seen Corder and Francis perform live as either Tora Tora or Homemade Flavor. Rumors circulate that the unreleased third album may finally see the light of day, and one can only hope. A band that should regroup and release another killer album on the unsuspecting public.
n 2008, all four original band members reunited to do several performances. One was a sold out performance at Newby's, a local club in Memphis, to celebrate their 20th anniversary of receiving their recording contract. After the show, a record was sold to fans which included songs from their first two albums and material slated for their unreleased Revolution Day album. The album was titled The Warehouse... 20 Years Later. The second occurred during Rocklahoma 2008. The band played another reunion show at The New Daisy Theatre on March 7, 2009, in Memphis.
At the end of 2009, Tora Tora signed with the Nashville, Tennessee based FNA Records and released three albums. Before & After, Bombs Away: The Unreleased Surprise Attack Recordings, and Miss B. Haven': The Unreleased Wild America Recordings.
On February 28, 2011, FNA Records in conjunction with the band decided after 17 years since the completion of their third album, which was shelved indefinitely at the time due to label complications, to release their "lost album" Revolution Day. Anthony Corder stated about the Revolution Day Sessions.
Lineup
Anthony Corder - vocals, acoustic guitar
Keith Douglas - guitar, backing vocals
Patrick Francis - bass, backing vocals
John Patterson - drums
Discography - Albums
Surprise Attack (1989) No. 47 US Billboard 200
Wild America (1992) No. 132 US Billboard 200
Revolution Day (1994)
Bastards of Beale (2019)
Discography - EPs
To Rock to Roll (1987)
Unplugged (2020)
Guilty
Tora Tora Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can't beat the heat of a smokin' gun
Moonlight in the mirror
The city sleeps, death over me
It's been a long hard road
Can't fight it, it's out of control
Somebody save me
It's hangin' by a thread
I can't get any closer to you yet
Hard luck knockin' on my back door
It's easy to see why they're comin' for me
Cause I'm guilty, guilty
Guilty in the first degree
Can't get the chip off of my shoulder
Just 18 but I feel the choker
One bad trip changed my life
I've been doin' wrong
Now I come on strong
I let each day pass
In the shadow of the last
Somebody save me
Chorus
Just another fallen angel
With a will to survive
I don't know where to go
No where to run, no where to hide
I'm guilty yeah ahh
I'm guilty, guilty
You know I'm guilty
Guilty ohh yeah
Guilty, guilty
Chorus twice
The lyrics to Tora Tora's song Guilty describe the struggle of a young person who has made some bad choices in their life and is now feeling the consequences. The first verse sets the scene of the singer running from the law, feeling alone and desperate. They know they've done something wrong and they're feeling the weight of their guilt. In the second verse, the singer reflects on how one bad decision changed their life and they can't escape the mistakes they've made. They're stuck in a cycle of wrong choices and they don't know how to break free.
The chorus is the central message of the song, with the singer admitting their guilt and accepting responsibility for their actions. They feel like a fallen angel, lost and alone, with no one to turn to. The repeated use of the word "guilty" emphasizes the weight of the singer's feelings and the gravity of their situation.
Overall, "Guilty" is a powerful and emotive song about the struggle of coming to terms with one's mistakes and accepting responsibility. It highlights the importance of taking ownership of one's actions and the consequences that follow.
Line by Line Meaning
Lonely nights out on the run
I've spent many nights alone while on the run
Can't beat the heat of a smokin' gun
I'm unable to outsmart or outrun the danger posed by someone pointing a loaded gun at me
Moonlight in the mirror
I catch glimpses of myself in the moonlight while driving
The city sleeps, death over me
As I drive through the city at night, the feeling of impending death looms over me
It's been a long hard road
I've faced many challenges and obstacles that have made my journey difficult
Can't fight it, it's out of control
I am unable to control the situation I find myself in
Somebody save me
I am desperate for someone to come and help me
Runnin' for my life
I'm running away from someone or something that is a threat to my life
It's hangin' by a thread
My life is in grave danger and could be lost at any moment
I can't get any closer to you yet
I am still too far away from safety or from the person I'm trying to reach
Hard luck knockin' on my back door
I'm facing difficult times and troubles that are affecting me personally
It's easy to see why they're comin' for me
It's obvious why someone is pursuing me and why I'm in danger
Cause I'm guilty, guilty
I am responsible and culpable for the actions that have caused me to be in trouble
Guilty in the first degree
I am fully responsible for my actions and cannot deny it
Can't get the chip off of my shoulder
I'm constantly feeling resentful and angry about something that happened in the past
Just 18 but I feel the choker
Despite being young, I feel like something is constricting me and preventing me from living a normal life
One bad trip changed my life
One event that went wrong completely changed the course of my life
I've been doin' wrong
I've made bad decisions and taken the wrong path in life
Now I come on strong
I'm determined to fight back and be strong despite my difficult circumstances
I let each day pass
I'm not actively making changes or improving my situation and each day seems to be the same as the last
In the shadow of the last
I'm still dealing with the consequences of past actions and they continue to haunt me
Just another fallen angel
I'm just another person who has made mistakes and fallen from grace
With a will to survive
Despite everything, I still have the determination and drive to keep going
I don't know where to go
I am lost and directionless, unsure of where to turn for help or assistance
No where to run, no where to hide
I am trapped with no way of escaping or hiding from the danger I face
I'm guilty yeah ahh
I admit my responsibility and accept that I'm at fault
You know I'm guilty
There's no denying my culpability in the situation I am in
Guilty ohh yeah
I am guilty and it's a fact that I can't ignore
Guilty, guilty
I am guilty and cannot escape the consequences of my actions
Chorus twice
The chorus repeats two more times as a refrain for emphasis on the themes of guilt, danger, and powerlessness
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: A. CORDER, J. PATTERSON, K. DOUGLAS, P. FRANCIS, T. DELUCCA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
TeoKeh
Liked this one? Then check these albums!!
Julliet - Julliet 1990 [Full Album]: https://youtu.be/jg53vcrdYrw
Fashion Police - Callin' All The Shots 1992 [Full Album]: https://youtu.be/PB7BarYldg0
Nigel Bartlett
One of the most under rated bands ever!!! Wish I had seen them in the late 80's. BRING BACK THE 80's ROCK MUSIC. Much better than the crap you get these days. KEEP ROCKIN'
Larry Clayton
They were awesome. I saw them on the surprise attack your at a club in Nashville. Their singer was at the Monsters on the Mountain festival
Last year doing a acoustic set. He was still great!
Robert Goodwinr
Yes. Agreed!
P H
Such a great song. These guys were great. What a great era for music and good times!
Debbie Mikulla Jewelry
This band ROCKS! Saw them around 1990ish at the Vogue in Indianapolis, the best show. There is no music like this today, that’s why I live in the past and listen to the great 70’s & 80’s rock bands.
compras na net
Quanto mais tempo ouvindo rock, sempre encontra uma banda boa
Rick Patterson
Best band of that era not to break through!!!
Christopher Blake
LOved this one.....had that cassette man....what a straightforward rock tune.....AWESOME
ruckus ruckus
Was lucky to see them in Omaha Ne. They were with Dangerous Toys and LA Guns. One of my favorite concerts.