By 1972 the group was regularly performing and writing original material. It was in this time that they would release their debut, a 7" 45rpm featuring "Midnight Horseman" and a cover of the Rolling Stones’ "Under my Thumb." Although, Guitarist Billy Janey claims that 1,000 copies of this single were pressed, to a collector nowadays it feels a lot more like 100 copies because it’s extremely hard to turn up.
During 1973 the band issued their 2nd 7" single on their own Driving Wheel label and shortly thereafter changed their name to the more familiar Truth and Janey. The songs "Straight Eight Pontiac" and "Around and Around" were featured on the group’s second 45rpm. It was also around this time they became aware of another band signed to a major label subsidiary that was using the name Truth. In order to avoid any confusion or possible legal hassles they opted to change the name to "Truth and Janey."
The band did a fair amount of touring during the ‘73-’75 period including some dates on a Leslie West tour, shows in Canada, Kansas, Illinois, Nashville and other mid-western sites as well as a huge music festival with Blue Oyster Cult in Davenport, Iowa that drew some 20,000 hard rock fans.
All the while, they were writing original material and gearing up for the release of their first full length album. In 1976, in A and R studios in Ames, Iowa, they laid down the tracks that would form the now infamous "No Rest for the Wicked" album released later that same year. The record featured six original tunes and two traditional blues covers revved up in true powerhouse Truth and Janey fashion. Only 1,000 copies of the album were pressed on the local Montross records.
Since it’s release, it has grown steadily over the years in popularity among collectors of 60’s and 70’s hard rock and psychedelia with original copies now fetching a large sum in the collector’s market. It has often been lauded as perhaps the best and most promising independent U.S. heavy rock release of the entire 70’s decade. One thing’s for sure, you won’t hear many arguments to the contrary.
Unfortunately, disco reared it’s ugly head around 1976 and severely damaged the lives of many small hard rock bands around the country, including Truth and Janey. Just as the ball started rolling it all ended as Denis Bunce left the group and quickly thereafter they completely disbanded. In a last ditch effort, guitarist Billy Janey reformed the group with all new members in 1977 and released the "Just a Little Bit of Magic" album, but it was a move in a completely different direction and has little to do with the ferocious hard rock guitar Marshall 100-watt Superlead sound that dominated "No Rest for the Wicked." By 1978 this lineup had disbanded as well and Truth and Janey was officially over. Bassist Steve Bock left for California to join commercial rockers Nowhere Fast, drummer Denis Bunce left music altogether, and guitarist Billy Janey remained in Iowa to start a solo career. Janey went on to release several blues guitar oriented compact discs under the name BillyLee Janey throughout the 80’s and 90’s and is still recording and releasing material today.
During the early 90’s Truth and Janey’s popularity among collectors made it’s way to the band and it was decided that something should be done to help appease the ever growing demand for the band’s long sold-out debut Lp. It was at this time they decided to do a new limited vinyl pressing of the original "No Rest for the Wicked" album, but this time in blank white die-
The Light
Truth and Janey Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Faces keep me company
I can't take this for much longer
The shadows are holding me down
There is no escape when they're around
I can't take this for much longer
So tired but I can't sleep
Eyes shut but they still see
Every night so endless
A growing fear of the faces
It's been going on for too long
No voice within my screaming
Maybe I'm just dreaming
It's been on for too long
So tired but I can't sleep
Eyes shut but they still see
I am not alone in these darkened lights
So tired but I can't sleep
Eyes shut but they still see
I am not alone in these darkened lights
The lyrics of Truth and Janey's song "The Light" reflect a feeling of being trapped in darkness, fear, and paranoia. The opening lines "Darkness all around me, Faces keep me company" suggest a sense of isolation and despair. The singer cannot take this for much longer, as the shadows seem to be holding them down and there is no escape when they are around. The fear of the faces in the darkness is growing and it has been happening for too long.
The next lines, "No voice within my screaming, Maybe I'm just dreaming" reflect the confusion that the singer is experiencing. They are screaming but there is no voice within, and they question whether they are dreaming. The line "Every night so endless" indicates that this is a recurring experience for the singer, and they are exhausted and unable to find relief.
The repeated lines "So tired but I can't sleep, Eyes shut but they still see, I am not alone in these darkened lights" add to the sense of being trapped and unable to find rest or peace. The singer is not alone in the darkness, and even when their eyes are shut, they still see the fear and despair around them.
Overall, the lyrics of "The Light" touch on themes of fear, isolation, and despair. The song portrays a sense of being trapped in a never-ending cycle of darkness and fear, unable to find relief or escape.
Line by Line Meaning
Darkness all around me
I feel surrounded by darkness
Faces keep me company
I am surrounded by faces, but they are not comforting me
I can't take this for much longer
I am feeling overwhelmed and cannot continue this way
The shadows are holding me down
I feel trapped and burdened by the darkness that surrounds me
There is no escape when they're around
I feel like I have no way to escape from the darkness and the faces
So tired but I can't sleep
I am exhausted, but my mind won't let me rest
Eyes shut but they still see
Even when my eyes are closed, I am still aware of my surroundings
I am not alone in these darkened lights
There are others around me, but their presence does not provide comfort
Every night so endless
The nights feel like they will never end
A growing fear of the faces
My fear and discomfort with the faces around me is increasing
It's been going on for too long
I have been living in this state for too long and it has become unbearable
No voice within my screaming
I feel like I am screaming for help, but no one can hear me
Maybe I'm just dreaming
I am not sure if what I am experiencing is real or just a dream
So tired but I can't sleep
I am exhausted, but my mind won't let me rest
Eyes shut but they still see
Even when my eyes are closed, I am still aware of my surroundings
I am not alone in these darkened lights
There are others around me, but their presence does not provide comfort
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Johan Riis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mark Pytlewski
great band nobody knows....this is old time metal.
Chris Corvi
Great band one of there best songs thanks for posting
herman munster
They have that 3 piece sound locked in tight .............excellent !
44eastman
Oh man this is excellent, these fellows must have been an influence on Rush somehow ! This is smokin stuff !!! Where do i find some.
Dude 1
that bass <3
jeffthrow6892
Excellent stuff.......
FunerealObsession
That 0:38 riff, raw fucking attitude!
dbunce10
The Light is the Word. Love
StationDead96
i have this album with lyrics
Mark Pytlewski
another band nobody ever heard....except me......check out the chunky riffs...