Venom's original personnel came from three different bands: Guillotine, Oberon and Dwarfstar. The original Guillotine featured Jeffrey Dunn and Dave Rutherford on guitars, Dean Hewitt on bass guitar, Dave Blackman on vocals, and Chris Mercater on drums who replaced Paul Burke, the original drummer when the band was founded. Blackman and Mercater were later also replaced by drummer Anthony Bray and vocalist Clive Archer. Later, Dean Hewitt was replaced by Alan Winston on bass. Around that time a number of personnel changes occurred. Clive Archer, Eric Cook, Tony Bray and Ian Kell formed a band while working at Reyrolles. Ian Kell was replaced in mid-1978. In late 1979, Conrad Lant replaced Dave Rutherford. Lant later switched to bass after the departure of Winston. The band members took on new stage names. Archer became "Jesus Christ", Lant "Cronos", Tony Bray "Abbadon", and Jeff Dunn "Mantas".
Prime influences of the formative band were Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Motörhead, and Kiss. Other musicians that have influenced Venom are Deep Purple, Sex Pistols, the Who, the Tubes, Van Halen, the Rolling Stones, and Elvis Presley.
'Welcome to Hell' influenced several later bands. Venom's music helped shape the development of many thrash metal bands, specifically the "Big Four of Thrash" (who in turn were highly influential): Metallica, Slayer, Anthrax, and Megadeth (Metallica opened for Venom on an early 1980s tour, and Venom opened for Metallica and Slayer on the Ride the Lightning tour, and Slayer played with them and Exodus on the Combat Tour in 1985). Venom would also be of extreme importance to the black metal scene and even the early death metal scene, with numerous bands copying styles, themes, and imagery from the band, such as the Swiss band Hellhammer (later to become Celtic Frost), whom also helped pioneer the genres. Music critic Bradley Torreano wrote that Venom "caught the attention of both metalheads and punks, the band was emulated by the former and turned into camp icons by the latter." Henry Rollins once compared the band to Spinal Tap.
Red Light Fever
Venom Lyrics
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You ever get the feeling you've been had,
You pay your money you pay the price,
You take a chance and it feels so nice,
Later maybe you wonder why,
This little lady's gonna suck you dry
Bitch
You try to pass but the red light calls,
When it's done and you've had your fun,
You gotta treat yourself like number one,
Maybe, even though she treats me bad,
She's not the only one I've ever had,
Bitch
I need to feel it baby can't you see,
I need a girl to set my venom free,
I'm going in can't you feel,
Feels so good now I've broke the seal,
I tell you babe I'm never satisfied,
ain't gonna die for those tears you cried,
Bitch
Your makin' love just like a young girl should,
You move me baby like no other could,
You give me love but I can see,
Your lovin' isn't only meant for me,
If it's a living what the hell,
I see you've only got your love to sell,
Bitch
The lyrics of Venom's song "Red Light Fever" portray a man who is addicted to satisfying his sexual desires with prostitutes. The first verse talks about his constant need for a woman and the feeling of being tricked into paying for sex. He knows that it's a gamble every time he contracts a sex worker but takes the chance anyway because it feels good. The use of the term "suck you dry" implies that he's not just talking about having sex, but also about the emotional and financial toll that these encounters take on him.
The second verse portrays the man walking the streets at night, searching for prostitutes. He is unable to resist the pull of the red light district, and after he has had his sexual gratification, he tells himself that he must prioritize his own satisfaction from now on. He acknowledges that the woman he has just paid for sex isn't the only one he's ever had, but no matter how many encounters he has, he still needs more. The use of harsh language like "Bitch" emphasizes his anger towards these women who he sees as providing unsatisfactory service.
The last verse implies that the sex with the prostitute is fulfilling for him and allows him to feel alive. He talks about breaking a seal and feeling good, but at the same time, he knows that he won't be happy with the service that he receives. The lyrics suggest that he believes the prostitute only provides love to sell, and not because she enjoys it. The word "bitch" is used as a term of anger towards the prostitute for not being able to provide him with what he needs emotionally.
Line by Line Meaning
I need a woman oh so bad,
I am craving the intimacy of a woman.
You ever get the feeling you've been had,
Have you ever had the suspicion that someone cheated you?
You pay your money you pay the price,
You sacrifice your time and money for this experience.
You take a chance and it feels so nice,
Taking a risk with her fills me with excitement.
Later maybe you wonder why,
Afterward, you may question the reasoning behind your actions.
This little lady's gonna suck you dry
She is going to drain all of your resources and energy.
Bitch
A derogatory term used to describe a female who is considered unpleasant.
You walk the streets as the darkness falls,
While the sun sets, you roam the roads.
You try to pass but the red light calls,
Despite your attempt to continue moving forward, red lights lure you in.
When it's done and you've had your fun,
After it's all over and you have thoroughly enjoyed yourself,
You gotta treat yourself like number one,
You must prioritize yourself above all else.
Maybe, even though she treats me bad,
Despite her mistreatment towards me,
She's not the only one I've ever had,
There are others I have been intimate with.
I need to feel it baby can't you see,
I require physical satisfaction, can't you understand?
I need a girl to set my venom free,
I need a woman to release my innermost desires.
I'm going in can't you feel,
I am going all in, can't you sense it?
Feels so good now I've broke the seal,
It's so satisfying now that I've overcome my inhibitions.
I tell you babe I'm never satisfied,
I need more and more, I am never fully content.
ain't gonna die for those tears you cried,
I am not going to let her emotional manipulation affect me.
Bitch
A derogatory term used to describe a female who is considered unpleasant.
Your makin' love just like a young girl should,
You are making love in a manner befitting someone young and inexperienced.
You move me baby like no other could,
You make me feel a way that no other person can replicate.
You give me love but I can see,
While you provide me with love,
Your lovin' isn't only meant for me,
It is clear that your affection is not only directed towards me.
If it's a living what the hell,
If making a living using these means is necessary,
I see you've only got your love to sell,
It seems like the only 'product' you have to offer is your love.
Bitch
A derogatory term used to describe a female who is considered unpleasant.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: ANTHONY BRAY, CONRAD LANT, JEFFREY DUNN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind