W.A.S.P. began following the demise of Circus Circus, a Los Angeles-based band featuring Blackie Lawless and Randy Piper. The original lineup of W.A.S.P. was formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1982 by Lawless, Piper, Rik Fox, and Tony Richards.
The first lineup did not last for long, as Rik Fox was let go and went on to join the band Steeler with vocalist Ron Keel and guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen. He was replaced by Don Costa, the bassist in Richards' former band, Dante Fox (which later evolved into Great White). Shortly afterward, Costa also left the band and his position on the bass was filled by Brayden Parker. By the time they recorded their debut album "W.A.S.P.", Lawless had taken over on bass and Chris Holmes had joined on lead guitar. At the same time, guitarist Chris Holmes joined the band.
Shortly after the album's release in 1984, Richards was replaced by former Keel drummer Steve Riley. The group released "The Last Command" in 1985, before Piper left in July 1986. Lawless subsequently switched back to guitar, with Johnny Rod (real name John Tumminello) leaving King Kobra to take over as bassist. "Inside the Electric Circus" followed in October. A live album "Live...In the Raw" was released in 1987. Riley left during the subsequent tour to join L.A. Guns. He was replaced for future shows by a string of temporary substitutes. By early 1988, W.A.S.P. had started working on its fourth studio album with Quiet Riot drummer Frankie Banali.
The band's popularity peaked in the 1980s, yet they continue to record and tour, making them one of the most enduring of the West Coast heavy metal bands. W.A.S.P. gained notoriety for their shock rock themed image, lyrics and live performances. They have sold over 12 million copies of their albums.
The band was a prominent target in the mid-1980s of the Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC) led by Tipper Gore, who at the time was wife of then-Senator Al Gore (D-TN), an organization that pushed for warning labels on recorded music. The band immortalized its fight with the PMRC on the song "Harder, Faster" from their 1987 live album, Live...In the Raw.
"I Wanna Be Somebody" was the most successful single from W.A.S.P.'s debut album. and It was ranked at No. 84 in VH1's 100 Greatest Hard Rock Songs of All Time.
In October 2007, W.A.S.P. embarked on The Crimson Idol Tour, to celebrate that album's 15th anniversary. It is the first time that the album, often regarded to be among the band's finest work, was performed in full from start to finish. The tour kicked off in Greece, in Thessaloniki at the Principal Club Theater on October 26, 2007.
Blackie Lawless remains the only member from the original line-up. They released their most recent album in November 2009, entitled Babylon.
On September 21, 2012, the band celebrated the 30th anniversary of their first ever live show by kicking off a world tour at The Forum in London. The set for the tour was split into three sections: songs from the first four albums, a cut-down rendition of the Crimson Idol performance and a final segment for newer material.
I Wanna Be Somebody
W.A.S.P. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A face that no one knows
And everyone you meet, you're gonna show
You're nobody's slave, nobody's chains are holdin' you
You hold your fist up high
And rule the zoo
Oh, you just got to be
'Cause I, I got the guts to be somebody
To cry out
I wanna be somebody
Be somebody soon
I wanna be somebody
Be somebody too
I wanna be somebody
Be somebody soon
I wanna be somebody
Be somebody too
You say you don't want to starve
Or take the table crumbs that fall
You don't want to beg or plead at all
You don't want no nine to five
Your fingers to the bone
You don't want the rock piles, bloody stones
Oh, you just got to be
Up high where the whole world's watchin' me
'Cause I, I got the guts to be somebody
To cry out
I wanna be somebody
Be somebody soon
I wanna be somebody
Be somebody too
I wanna be somebody
Be somebody soon
I wanna be somebody
Be somebody too
(I want) shiny cars and dirty money
Lots of rock and roll
(I will) live in fame and die in flames
I'm never getting old
I wanna be somebody
Be somebody soon
I wanna be somebody
Be somebody too
I wanna be somebody
Be somebody soon
I wanna be somebody
Be somebody too
I wanna be somebody
Be somebody soon
I wanna be somebody
Be somebody too
I'm gonna be somebody
I'm gonna be somebody
The lyrics of W.A.S.P's song "I Wanna Be Somebody" speak of the desire to break free from societal norms and expectations and become a unique individual who is not held back by anyone or anything. The singer asserts their will to be somebody, to be recognized and respected in the world. They refuse to be a slave to anyone or anything, refusing to beg or take scraps from the table. Instead, they want to stand out and show the world their strength and power, holding a fist up high and ruling over their own empire.
The lyrics hymn the struggle to break away from conformity and to forge one's own path, offering a message of strength, courage, and determination. The repetition of the chorus line "I wanna be somebody" reinforces this determination and demands to be taken seriously. The verses highlight the singer's disillusionment with society's expectations, expressing their desire for a life of fame, money, music, and rebellion. The song is, therefore, a powerful anthem of the human spirit and the will to rise above adversity and stand out in a crowded world.
Line by Line Meaning
You say you don't want to run and hide
You want to be seen and known for who you truly are
A face that no one knows
You don't want to blend in with the crowd and be forgotten
And everyone you meet, you're gonna show
You want to leave an impression on everyone you come across
You're nobody's slave, nobody's chains are holdin' you
You refuse to conform to societal norms or expectations
You hold your fist up high
You are confident and unafraid to stand up for yourself
And rule the zoo
You want to take control and be in charge of your own life
Oh, you just got to be
Your desire to be seen and recognized is strong
Up high where the whole world's watchin' me
You want to be in the spotlight and have everyone's attention on you
'Cause I, I got the guts to be somebody
You are self-assured and believe in your ability to make a name for yourself
To cry out
You will proclaim your worth and make your voice heard
I wanna be somebody
Your desire to be someone of importance is unwavering
Be somebody soon
You want to make your dream a reality as soon as possible
I wanna be somebody
You aspire to leave a legacy and be remembered for your accomplishments
Be somebody too
You want to be on the same level as other successful individuals
You say you don't want to starve
You refuse to live a life of poverty or struggle
Or take the table crumbs that fall
You won't settle for less than what you deserve
You don't want to beg or plead at all
You won't rely on the merit of others to succeed
You don't want no nine to five
You won't submit to a mundane or unfulfilling job
Your fingers to the bone
You won't let hard work and dedication go to waste
You don't want the rock piles, bloody stones
You won't let obstacles or challenges stand in the way of your success
(I want) shiny cars and dirty money
You aspire to have material possessions and wealth
Lots of rock and roll
You want to live a vibrant, exciting life
(I will) live in fame and die in flames
You want to be a legendary figure in society and leave a lasting impact
I'm never getting old
You plan to live your life fully and never fade away
I'm gonna be somebody
You are certain that you will achieve your goals and become someone of importance
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave
Written by: Steve Edward Duren
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@marcovz1857
This is not only a masterpiece from metal from the 80's, it's also an anthem to stand up, raise your head and work your ass off to be SOMEONE! Enough motivation to grind it at the gym or everyday in life to be SOMEONE!!!!
@laurasupko
I agree with you 💯
@torgomax
👍😉👍💯☠
@BastardX13
Then as now. Wasp has a special place in the Metal Pantheon. Blackie s vocals are peerless. Timeless
@eldesgraciado6690
With WASP you don't need a therapist.
@SlickDonaldRichard-rk94
Bring back Donald Trump
@jasonmorgan8110
Motley crue was the guy in high school that rolled a joint after class......WASP was the guy arrested for attempted murder in the senior parking lot.
@ttiwaz4398
The very first album I bought with my savings as an 8 year old girl was W.A.S.P. And now 40 years later it still makes me headbanging.
@EXIDLEGGO1989
Almost 40 years and still Rocks 🎸🎸🎸🎸
@ace-zq8pm
it sure does missy