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
Wild Star
Transvision Vamp Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You make the universe in my head spin
You make all the neon silver screens glow
You're my rocket-boy blue, you're my hero
You don't move, you just glide
You don't cruise, you just ride, ride, ride on in
Wild Star, Wild Star, Wild Star
Like a booster boy, you give to me
A rush, rush, rush of electricity
10,000 volts and the energy starts
10,000 volts going straight to my heart
You got tiger tricks, hip-hop hips
Electric lips and your kisses, oh, your kisses fizz
Wild Star, Wild Star, Wild Star
Oh you're my star, Wild Star, Wild Star
Wild Star, my star, Wild Star, ah ah yeah!
Oh you're a Wild Star King you're my hero
You make the neon silver screen glow
You made all the stars fall right out the skies
And all of those stars fell right into my eyes
You don't move, you just glide
You don't cruise, you just ride, ride, ride on in
Wild Star, Wild Star, Wild Star
Oh you're my star, Wild Star, Wild Star
Wild Star, Wild Star, Wild Star
Wild Star, that's what you are
A Wild Star...my star
In this song, Transvision Vamp compares a person they love to a Wild Star King who has the power to make their universe spin. The person they are singing to is described as a live-wire child, someone who gives them a rush of electricity - their kisses fizz. The electric image is further emphasized by the lyrics that talk about how this person has tiger tricks, hip-hop hips, and electric lips. Transvision Vamp is drawn to this person and sees them as their hero, their rocket-boy blue. Through their eyes, this person is able to make all the neon silver screens glow, and in their company, they feel alive like they are riding a wave of energy. By the end of the song, they have clearly fallen for this Wild Star, their star.
The lyrics of Wild Star are full of imagery, creating a vivid picture of the power of attraction that the Wild Star has. They are not just a hero but a king, making the universe spin and causing stars to fall right out of the sky. The lyrics speak of intense energy between the two people and suggest an almost electric current running between them through everything they do. The Wild Star is not just someone that Transvision Vamp has a crush on but someone who makes them feel alive, with whom they may even have fallen in love.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh you're a live-wire child, a Wild Star King
You are full of energy and life, like a king of the stars.
You make the universe in my head spin
You make my thoughts and emotions whirl with passion and excitement.
You make all the neon silver screens glow
You bring brightness and radiance to everything around you, like a neon light in the dark.
You're my rocket-boy blue, you're my hero
You are the embodiment of speed and coolness, like a blue rocket, and you inspire me to be like you.
You don't move, you just glide
You have a graceful and effortless way of moving, like gliding on air.
You don't cruise, you just ride, ride, ride on in
You have an unstoppable drive and determination, like riding a wave of energy and excitement.
Like a booster boy, you give to me
You provide me with a powerful boost of energy and motivation, like a rocket booster.
A rush, rush, rush of electricity
You make me feel alive and electrified with intense energy.
10,000 volts and the energy starts
You bring a high level of energy and excitement, like a massive electrical charge.
10,000 volts going straight to my heart
Your energy and passion resonate deeply with me, connecting directly to my heart and soul.
You got tiger tricks, hip-hop hips
You are agile and clever, like a tiger, and have a smooth and rhythmic movement, like hip-hop dancing.
Electric lips and your kisses, oh, your kisses fizz
Your kisses are electrifying and intense, sparking a fizzy excitement within me.
You made all the stars fall right out the skies
You have an otherworldly quality and are so amazing that you seem to make the stars themselves fall from the sky.
And all of those stars fell right into my eyes
Your incredible aura and energy have captured my heart and attention completely, like stars in my eyes.
Oh you're my star, Wild Star, Wild Star
You are the shining star in my life, lighting up my world with your energy and brilliance.
Wild Star, my star, Wild Star, ah ah yeah!
You are my amazing, untamed star, and I can't help but feel a rush of excitement and joy when I think about you.
Wild Star, that's what you are
You are a unique and incredible force of nature, like a wild star blazing brightly in the sky.
A Wild Star...my star
You are a wild and amazing star, and you belong to me, lighting up my life with your energy and brilliance.
Contributed by Amelia G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Nige Twelvetrees
Gorgeous song....Wendys a Wild Star!! Come back Transvision Vamp!! :-( Just grooving to Pop Art at the moment..In 2019!!
Daniel Esteve
Great times, dude. And hard too. There's no music like this anymore. Great stuff. You're part of the soundtrack of my life, Wendy.
Steven Harris
I strongly recommend transvision vamp brilliant group never forgotten always in my heart! xx
Trudy
This was always my favourite from Pop Art 💋⭐️🎸
Mark S
This is so velveteen.
A sight of the perfect album to come.
Gary Douglass
Would of loved a video of her singing this. Absolute stunning woman back then and a class band.
mar 13
Man, I remember in high school talking on the phone late into the night with my first GF with this playing softly in the background. First Love, and the late 80s never forgotten.
Daniel Esteve
How much I do envy you, man...
Andrew Wallace
Wild Star and Land Slide of Love = the perfect double feature
Aub Goodwin
Love this woman ❤❤❤❤❤