Barradale and Lockwood recorded their Geffen debut, Rites Of Passage in 1985 . It featured an impressive cast of supporting musicians, including Peter Gabriel, drummer Jerry Marotta, Chris Hughes, (percussionist for Adam Ant), guitarist Neil Hubbard, violinist Simon House and arranger Ann Dudley.
An especially integral part of the Rites Of Passage sessions was guitarist David Rhodes, perhaps best known for his work with Peter Gabriel and Blancmange. David went on to become a full-fledged member of Vitamin Z.
Produced and recorded by Ross Cullum, Rites Of Passage featured eight Barradale/Lockwood originals including their debut single "Burning Flame." After a promising first single and a tour supporting Midge Ure, the band appeared to lose momentum and the second album, "Sharp Stone Rain" was not released until 1989 - by which time the record buying public appeared to have lost interest and Vitamin Z disappeared completely off the radar.
Lead singer, Geoff Barradale has subsequently re-emerged as manager to the Arctic Monkeys, guiding them to phenomenal success.
Burning Flame
Vitamin Z Lyrics
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Arm in arm with just another guy,
You look at me and wave hello-how friendly,
I look at you and the cars go passing by.
I understand that you used to love me,
Nothing much but it made you cry,
So here we are making pleasant gestures,
Me and you we never made it far girl,
Now I laugh at the promises we made,
and something went the first time that I hurt you,
the lights went out and the memories start to fade.
And all along on my trip to nowhere,
You annoyed me with your foolish games,
And how you teased when I first made love,
And I'm left so naked like a burning flame,
Burning flame, burning flame.
And all along on my trip to nowhere,
You annoyed me with your foolish games,
And how you teased when I first made love,
And I'm left so naked like a burning flame,
Burning flame, burning flame.
I felt the earth fall apart and crumble,
All my dreams down they fell,
And would an angel show mercy to the devil,
But you're under my skin and you know darn well.
Walking out tonight in the street lights I can see you
Arm in arm with just another guy,
You look at me and wave hello-how friendly,
I look at you and the cars go passing by.
And all along on my trip to nowhere,
You annoyed me with your foolish games,
And how you teased when i first made love,
And I'm left so naked like a burning flame,
Burning flame, burning flame.
And all along on my trip to nowhere,
You annoyed me with your foolish games,
And how you teased when I first made love,
And I'm left so naked like a burning flame,
Burning flame, burning flame
The lyrics to Vitamin Z's song "Burning Flame" are an expression of the confusion and frustration that comes with the end of a relationship. The singer sees their former lover with someone else and their emotions are still raw. They acknowledge that there was love between them, but it was not enough to sustain the relationship. They reminisce about the promises they made that were broken and the hurt that was caused. The singer is also annoyed by the games their former lover played and the teasing that occurred during the relationship. The chorus repeats the phrase "Burning flame" which could represent the passion that once existed but now only leaves the singer feeling exposed and vulnerable.
Overall, the lyrics suggest that while the relationship has ended, the emotions associated with it are still present. The singer is left to deal with the memories and the pain they experienced. They are haunted by the past and it affects how they interact with the world around them.
Line by Line Meaning
Walking out tonight in the street lights I can see you,
I am out in the night and happen to see you around illuminated by streetlights.
Arm in arm with just another guy,
You are walking beside some other man, with your arms tightly held together.
You look at me and wave hello-how friendly,
You notice me around and greet with a friendly wave.
I look at you and the cars go passing by.
As I stare at you, the cars whiz past in the background.
I understand that you used to love me,
I am aware that there was a time when you had feelings of love for me.
Nothing much but it made you cry,
It wasn't something significant, but it had the power to make you cry.
So here we are making pleasant gestures,
We are engaging in polite behavior with each other.
and I just can't see the reason why.
But I am unable to comprehend the purpose behind this action.
Me and you we never made it far girl,
You and I never really progressed far in our relationship.
Now I laugh at the promises we made,
I find it amusing to think about the promises we made to each other.
and something went the first time that I hurt you,
Something seemed to change after the first time I caused you pain.
the lights went out and the memories start to fade.
The memories of our past have started to fade away, like lights going out.
And all along on my trip to nowhere,
During my aimless journey, all this time
You annoyed me with your foolish games,
You kept irritating me with your childish behavior.
And how you teased when I first made love,
You would tease me about the experience of our first sexual encounter.
And I'm left so naked like a burning flame,
I feel exposed and vulnerable, like a flame that's burning bright.
Burning flame, burning flame.
Repeating the metaphor of feeling helpless and exposed like a burning flame.
I felt the earth fall apart and crumble,
It seemed as if the whole world was collapsing around me, crumbling into pieces.
All my dreams down they fell,
All my aspirations and hopes were shattered.
And would an angel show mercy to the devil,
Even if I were the devil, would an angel show me mercy?
But you're under my skin and you know darn well.
You have a deep impact on me and are aware of it.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: GEOFF BARRADALE, NICK LOCKWOOD, PHILIP JESSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Komment King
My sister discovered this band back in the day. They did a good job. Good lyrics & rhythm. Good video. So long ago now. Where does the time go...?
Catanzaro Catanzaro
Me gustan los coros y el sonido surraund o en eco. Que buena sensación. Si tuviera mas graves o bajos seria aun mejor.
Tiene que sonar de nuevo!. Temazooo
Rich Rocker
I went through something like this a few times in high school & college.. It does burn the soul
T Jacobs
@M. Loughlin Exactly. Why shed tears when you can shed blood?
M. Loughlin
😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
Toughen up, Buttercup.
Pinoy Watchman
One of my favorite bands in the 80s. I hope they include "Rites of Passage" album on Spotify.
Pilar Aguirre
Great band... I enjoyed their music so much, and continue to 💯💕🌹👍💥❤️
Ms Mars
Geoff Barradale's lustrous voice surrounds you like a cloak of smooth, thick velvety fog. I love this song.
edgardo gregorini
Now I understand why the members of the band fought and the group disbanded right away haha
Irish Claddagh
NEVER GETS OLD!!! my fave on U68 😍