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.
When the Levee Breaks
W.A.S.P. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If it keeps on rainin', levee's goin' to break
When the levee breaks I'll have no place to stay
Mean old levee taught me to weep and moan
Lord mean old levee taught me to weep and moan
It's got what it takes to make a mountain man leave his home
Oh well, oh well, oh well
When you're tryin' to find your way home
You don't know which way to go?
If you're goin' down South
They got no work to do
If you don't know about Chicago
Cryin' won't help you prayin' won't do you no good
Now cryin' won't help you prayin' won't do you no good
When the levee breaks mama you got to move
All last night sat on the levee and moaned
All last night sat on the levee and moaned
Thinkin' 'bout me baby and my happy home
Going to Chicago
Going to Chicago
Sorry but I can't take you
Going down, going down now, going down
Going down now, going down
Going down, going down, going down
Going down now, going down
Going down now, going down
Going down now, going down
The song "When the Levee Breaks" by W.A.S.P. is a rendition of a blues song originally written and performed by Kansas Joe McCoy and Memphis Minnie. The lyrics speak of the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927, which was a catastrophic natural disaster that impacted millions of people, particularly African Americans residing in the southern region of the United States. The song highlights the struggle and despair caused by the flood, as well as the displacement and homelessness that followed.
The repeated line "If it keeps on rainin', levee's goin' to break" is a reference to the heavy and persistent rainfall that caused the levees to break during the actual flood. This caused widespread flooding, and many people had to abandon their homes and belongings in search of higher ground. The line "Mean old levee taught me to weep and moan" speaks to the bitterness and sadness that accompanied the loss of homes and possessions, as well as the ruined lives and devastation left in the wake of the flood.
The final verses of the song speak of the migration of people from the affected areas, particularly those heading to Chicago seeking work opportunities. The lyric "Sorry but I can't take you" highlights the difficulties of trying to help others when you yourself are struggling to survive. In summary, "When the Levee Breaks" is a poignant and powerful depiction of the devastation and loss wrought by a natural disaster, as well as the resilience and perseverance of those who were affected.
Line by Line Meaning
If it keeps on rainin', levee's goin' to break
Continued rainfall will result in the levee breaking
When the levee breaks I'll have no place to stay
In the event of the levee breaking, I will be homeless
Mean old levee taught me to weep and moan
The oppressive and cruel levee has caused me great sorrow and pain
It's got what it takes to make a mountain man leave his home
The levee is so intimidating and powerful that even the toughest of people would flee from it
Don't it make you feel bad
Doesn't it cause feelings of sadness and despair
When you're tryin' to find your way home
When you are lost and searching for your place in life
You don't know which way to go?
You do not have clear direction or guidance
If you're goin' down South
If you are heading towards the southern United States
They got no work to do
There is a lack of employment opportunities
If you don't know about Chicago
If you are unfamiliar with the city of Chicago
Cryin' won't help you prayin' won't do you no good
Crying and praying will not provide a solution to the problem at hand
When the levee breaks mama you got to move
When the levee breaks, it is necessary to evacuate
All last night sat on the levee and moaned
Spent a long and difficult night on the levee, filled with mourning and discomfort
Thinkin' 'bout me baby and my happy home
Reflecting on loved ones and one's cherished residence
Going to Chicago
Traveling to the city of Chicago
Sorry but I can't take you
Unfortunately, I am unable to bring you with me
Going down, going down now, going down
Descending, currently in the act of descending
Going down now, going down
Currently descending
Going down now, going down
Currently descending
Lyrics Β© Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: John Bonham, John Paul Jones, Robert Anthony Plant, James Patrick Page
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Electric John
W.A.S.P.
Always
Sounds
Perfect
drdvs69
Nice job!
ed mcglinn
Frankie Banali throwin down that Bonham beat πβπ₯π₯
JHOSUA
EXLENT
Chris Beck
Kicks ass
PersFlexWest
its time to wake up the neighbors....
Into The Void
Not bad overall. I just don't like the singer's voice. Don't get all triggered and cry, I just don't like his voice.
thebluesrockers
I like his vocals but Robert Plant he's not. However I do dig this. I just think the drums are truly lacking. John Bonham's drums sounded so bad ass on Zeppelin 4
Hellchild 666
I however can't stand Robert Plants vocals, so that may explain it? total opposites?