Together with Dave Parsons and Anthony Doughty (AKA Tex Axile) made up the the band's four permanent members. Additional members Pol Burton, James Piper and Martin Hallett were musicians engaged to play during live concerts: Burton, then later Hallett (AKA Mallet), on drums, and Piper on guitar.
The band was signed by MCA and released a cover single of the Holly and the Italians song "Tell That Girl To Shut Up" in April 1988 . A month later the follow-up single "I Want Your Love", with its pop/punk crossover appeal, entered the Top 5 in the United Kingdom. The band went on to release the hit album Pop Art in October.
1989 was the band's most successful year, with the number 3 hit single "Baby I Don't Care" and hit album Velveteen.
In 1990 MCA refused to release Transvision Vamp's third album Little Magnets Versus The Bubble Of Babble in the UK, reportedly disliking the mellower direction of the music. Wendy James has stated "...it came out in America and did better than the other two albums in America. But then we decided to split up, during which time the English record label had said they weren't convinced about this record, we're going to hold off on it and see how well it does in other countries first. By the time they were ready to release it, we'd already decided to split up, and so it never came out". The band formally split early in 1991. Tex Axile left to Join Max with John Reynolds, Kevin Mooney and Mathew Ashman formerly of Sinead O'connor, Adam and the Ants and Bow Wow Wow. Dave Parsons Joined Gavin Rossdale and formed Bush.
James went on to a solo career and in 2004 formed the band Racine.
www.transvisionvamp.com
Bad Valentine
Transvision Vamp Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You sprung this on me and then
It feels like Spring again
But I guess it never really ends
It just comes around again
And I collect all the cards that you sent
But I could not say
If I should stay
Even remember your name
Oh what a shame
Oh I'm a bad valentine, a bad valentine
I'm a bad valentine
Oh I'm so bad, bad, bad, all the time
Oh I'm a bad valentine
Ooh I love you baby
Aah I love you maybe
Ooh I love you baby
Or maybe, maybe I'm just insane
It feels like Spring again
You sprung this on me and then
It feels like Spring again
But I guess it never really ends
It just comes around again
And I collect all the cards that you sent
But I could not say
If I should stay
No I might not even
Even remember your name
Ain't that a shame
Oh I'm a bad valentine, a bad valentine
I'm a bad valentine
Oh I'm so bad, bad, bad, all the time
Oh I'm a bad valentine
Oh I'm so bad, bad, bad, all the time
Oh I'm a bad valentine
Oh I'm a bad valentine
Oh I'm a bad valentine
The lyrics to Transvision Vamp's song "Bad Valentine" convey a sense of confusion and flashbacks to a past relationship. The reference to Spring emphasizes the renewal and rebirth that often accompanies the season, but also hints at the unpredictability and suddenness of love. The line "It just comes around again" suggests that the singer has experienced this feeling before and fears being caught in a familiar cycle, yet they also admit to keeping the cards they were sent, indicating a possible desire to hold onto the memory of the past.
The chorus, with its repetition of "I'm a bad valentine," can be interpreted in different ways. One possibility is that the singer is acknowledging their shortcomings as a partner and feels guilty for not being able to reciprocate the love given to them. Another interpretation is that they are poking fun at the commercialization and superficiality of Valentine's Day, taking a rebellious stance against societal norms.
Overall, the lyrics to "Bad Valentine" capture the mixed feelings and complexities of love, especially when it comes to remembering past relationships and navigating the emotions that resurface. It's a catchy and relatable song that speaks to the universal experiences of heartbreak, desire, and self-doubt.
Line by Line Meaning
It feels like Spring again
The singer is feeling a renewed sense of optimism and hopefulness, like the arrival of Spring.
You sprung this on me and then
Someone surprised the singer with some kind of emotional situation or request.
But I guess it never really ends
No matter how good or how bad a relationship may seem to be, it often cycles back around.
It just comes around again
Relationships can repeat themselves, whether the good or the bad parts.
And I collect all the cards that you sent
The artist holds onto tokens of affection from this person who has sprung things on her.
But I could not say if I should stay
The singer is unsure whether she should continue with whatever is happening between her and this person.
I might not even even remember your name
The singer is emotionally detaching herself enough to not care about remembering this person.
Oh what a shame
The situation is unfortunate or regrettable.
Oh I'm a bad valentine, a bad valentine
The artist doesn't do things right in terms of love or relationships.
I'm a bad valentine
The artist may be a disappointment to someone who is expecting something more romantic or committed.
Oh I'm so bad, bad, bad, all the time
The singer doesn't feel like she's ever going to master love or relationships.
Ooh I love you baby
The artist feels affection for this person despite the confusion and uncertainty.
Aah I love you maybe
But, the singer isn't really sure if she loves this person.
Or maybe, maybe I'm just insane
Or, the singer is aware that her feelings may be irrational or crazy.
Ain't that a shame
Once more, the situation is lamentable.
Oh I'm so bad, bad, bad, all the time
The artist feels like she can't get it right when it comes to relationships.
Oh I'm a bad valentine
The artist knows that she disappoints when it comes to romantic gestures or emotions.
Oh I'm so bad, bad, bad, all the time
Once more, the singer feels inadequate in terms of love and relationships.
Oh I'm a bad valentine
The singer sees herself as a failure when compared to the ideal of a romantic partner.
Contributed by Emma N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Kevin Hanson
Wendy and her band performed this song on her last tour a few weeks ago around England and Scotland supporting the psychedelic furs ,she sounded fantastic ,it was as if transvision vamp never split
sdgakatbk
That sounds totally awesome!!
orbitalsatellite
i had this album personally signed by wendy when she came to melbourne (australia) to promote it but i lost it :( such a great band!
Mer gif
Que maravilla para mí, creci con este grupo, para mi son mi vida😍😘
Marcelo Andrade
Das mais lindas fofas brilhantes músicas que conheço. Amoooo
Patrick Link
I remember listening to this around 1990 in college. My girlfriend had the tape and we would take long drives just talk and this got a lot of play. I've always been more of a Minuteman typer fan but this will always remind me of that time and Heidi's bug.
Wade Raney
This is from my treasured CD,sung by a sweet voice lovely 🚺💓
Izaro
I💟this song and the way Wendy sings it🎼🎵🎸😊
miratejocity
BEST. MUSIC. EVER.
DR Electric
Rest in peace you lovely soul.