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
Song To The Stars
Transvision Vamp Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He saddled a rocket to the stars
He saddled a rocket to the stars
Now I don't know where you are
A whispered goodbye in velvet tones
Left my heart all tattered and torn
Packed all his things in a little case
Never to return to this place
He saddled a rocket to the stars
He saddled a rocket to the stars
And let loose the sad in my heart
Now every beginning is the start of an end
I won't live 'till I see you again
The opening stanza of Transvision Vamp's "Song to the Stars" highlights the sense of abandonment and loss felt by the singer, as the object of her affections has "saddled a rocket to the stars" and left without a trace. The repetition of this line underscores the finality of their departure, while the subsequent lyrics add nuance to the singer's emotional landscape. She recalls a "whispered goodbye in velvet tones," suggesting a feeling of tenderness alongside the pain of separation. This is echoed in her description of her own heart as "all tattered and torn," while the departing lover is able to pack all their things into a "little case" and move on without a backward glance.
With the rocket launch described as a catalyst for unleashing the "sad in my heart," the second stanza shifts into existential musings on the nature of beginnings and endings. The singer acknowledges that every new beginning is also the start of an end, suggesting that life is inherently fleeting and imperfect. She resolves to "not live 'til I see you again," recognizing that the idea of closure or moving on is impossible without this reunion. Overall, the song balances a sense of romantic longing with a certain degree of fatalism, ultimately choosing to embrace the deep emotions that arise when grappling with love and loss.
Line by Line Meaning
He saddled a rocket to the stars
He departed for an unknown destination, possibly beyond Earth's atmosphere
He saddled a rocket to the stars
He left this world on a rocket heading towards space
He saddled a rocket to the stars
He chose to explore the universe and went on a journey to the stars
Now I don't know where you are
I am uncertain about your whereabouts and your status
A whispered goodbye in velvet tones
He said goodbye in a soft and gentle manner, like the feel of velvet
Left my heart all tattered and torn
His departure broke my heart and left me emotionally damaged
Packed all his things in a little case
He gathered his belongings and prepared to leave for good
Never to return to this place
He was leaving forever and I would never see him again
And let loose the sad in my heart
His departure caused me to unleash my sadness and sorrow
Now every beginning is the start of an end
All good things must come to an end, including beginnings
I won't live 'till I see you again
I cannot bear the thought of living without seeing him again
Contributed by Aaron O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
aust ralian
This song was at the end of the album. Good nearly forgotten gem.
Ragnarr Thorsen
Thanks