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
Hanging Out With Halo Jones
Transvision Vamp Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'Til I threw the throne
Hummin' all day man
That's for the drones
Then it was leather and chains
A real wild child
Now it's the sonic groove
And an ivory smile-oh, if looks could kill
A child of design
Romance, romance is cool
But I've got things to do
I'm hanging out with Halo Jones
So don't call round 'cos I won't be home
I'm hanging out with Halo Jones
Hanging out with Halo Jones
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah!
Now Halo Jones, she's a nuromancer
Well, she looks like a dream and she moves like a panther
Halo, Halo Jones
Is a girl of ice and fire
She got everything
That all the boys desire
But if you're asking, then the answer's no
Got things to do and places to go
We're heading out for independence so
I'm hanging out with Halo Jones
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah!
Well let me tell ya now
All the guys just wanna shoot
They say we're sweet, huh
They say we're cute
But we know, yeah we know, we know
That ain't so, ah, ah, no way
Now we're skyway bound
Looking down ono the city lights
Me and Halo
Heading out on the late night flight
Hey now, I'm a girl of the times
A child of design
I'm hanging out with Halo Jones
Don't call round 'cos I won't be home
Got things to do and places to go
Just leave your intentions on the answerphone
I'm hanging out with Halo Jones
Hanging out with Halo Jones
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah!
And we know, yeah we know, yeah we know
That we gotta go, gotta go, gotta go, go
Go, go, go, go with Halo Jones
The lyrics to Transvision Vamp's song Hanging Out With Halo Jones tell the story of a rebellious girl who refuses to conform to gender norms and the expectations placed upon her by society. The song opens with her rejecting her former title of "Queen Bee" and the humdrum life that comes with it, opting instead for a more edgy and unconventional persona. The mention of leather and chains conjures images of rebellion and anarchy, which reflects the girl's disregard for societal conventions. However, she has evolved from this wild child archetype and now prefers the "sonic groove" and an "ivory smile," suggesting a more sophisticated and perhaps even manipulative persona. The girl asserts that "Romance is cool, but I've got things to do," emphasizing her independence and the fact that she is not defined by a patriarchal notion of femininity.
The title character Halo Jones is described as a "neuromancer," meaning that she has the ability to manipulate digital technology with her mind. She is also portrayed as confident, alluring, and in control of her sexuality. The chorus is a proclamation of the girl's loyalty to her friend Halo Jones and their shared desire for independence. They are both determined to break free from societal expectations and to chart their own paths. The last verse hints at their desire for adventure and for new experiences, as they take to the sky and leave the city behind.
Overall, the song is a celebration of female empowerment, and a rejection of the traditional roles and expectations placed on women. It is an anthem for anyone who refuses to be defined by their gender or by societal norms.
Line by Line Meaning
Well they used to call me Queen Bee
I was once the center of attention and everyone's focus, but I have since relinquished that title or throne, making room for others to share the spotlight
'Til I threw the throne
I gave up my position of power and dominance
Hummin' all day man
I'm living a carefree lifestyle, not letting anything get to me, making light of everything
That's for the drones
This mindset is for the people who conform to society's expectations without questioning or challenging them- they're content with the status quo
Then it was leather and chains
At one point in my life, I was rebellious and expressed it through fashion by wearing leather and chains as symbols of my defiance
A real wild child
I was a daring and unconventional person who was unafraid to go against the norm
Now it's the sonic groove
My current interests have shifted from fashion to music, where I enjoy and am passionate about the rhythmic and sonic components of songs I listen to
And an ivory smile-oh, if looks could kill
I've developed a charming smile or appearance that has the potential to be alluring and romantic
Hey now, I'm a girl of the times
I am a modern and contemporary girl who's in touch with current issues and trends
A child of design
I'm a product of the creative and artistic influences around me, including music, art, and fashion
Romance, romance is cool
I appreciate and enjoy romance as a concept, but I don't want to be just defined by it
But I've got things to do
I'm more focused on my goals and ambitions and don't always have the time or desire to indulge in romantic pursuits
I'm hanging out with Halo Jones
I'm spending quality time with my close friend Halo Jones and don't want to be disturbed or contacted
So don't call round 'cos I won't be home
I won't be available to take phone calls or receive visitors because I'm out with Halo
Now Halo Jones, she's a nuromancer
My friend Halo Jones is someone who's very skilled in the psychic arts and can wield supernatural powers
Well, she looks like a dream and she moves like a panther
Halo Jones has a striking and alluring appearance and is very graceful and fluid in her movements
Halo, Halo Jones
I'm referring to my friend by name to emphasize her importance in my life
Is a girl of ice and fire
Halo is a unique and powerful individual who possesses both opposing traits of calmness and passion
She got everything
Halo is someone who's very talented and gifted, and has many admirable qualities that make her stand out
That all the boys desire
Halo is someone who's highly attractive and desirable to people of the opposite sex
But if you're asking, then the answer's no
If you're trying to ask me something or come onto me romantically, my answer is no
Got things to do and places to go
I have important engagements and places I need to be, which takes priority over anything else
We're heading out for independence so
Halo and I are going out to do our own thing, to assert our independence and autonomy
Just leave your intentions on the answerphone
If someone wants to contact me, they can leave a message on my answering machine and I'll get back to them later
And we know, yeah we know, yeah we know
Halo and I are confident in ourselves and our decisions
That we gotta go, gotta go, gotta go, go
We have to move on and leave this chapter of our lives behind. There are better things in store for us, and we need to set out to find them
Go, go, go, go with Halo Jones
We're ready to embark on new adventures and challenges with my friend Halo, who's always been there for me
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah!
An enthusiastic affirmation of our decision and a rallying cry for all our future undertakings
Contributed by Jayden O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.