Formed in 1984, the group endured several line-up changes and soul-searching before coalescing around vocalist Jani Lane, guitarist Erik Turner, guitarist Joey Allen, bassist Jerry Dixon, and drummer Steven Sweet. In January 1988, Warrant signed a contract with Columbia Records. They then released their debut album, which they titled 'Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich'. Although coming in at the tail end of the 80s pop metal boom, their tuneful rock brought them some critical and commercial acclaim, the album reaching the #10 slot on the Billboard 200 top albums chart.
The band's second record, 'Cherry Pie', was released in March 1990, and spawned the hits "Cherry Pie", "Uncle Tom's Cabin", and "I Saw Red". It reached the Top Ten in the United States, and went on to sell over three million copies. The group found the title song, written by the band under studio pressure with the lyrics literally composed on a pizza box, a 'throw-away' type tune, giving them a commercial breakthrough. Yet their other tracks showed a desire to branch out into diverse subject matter and styles. For example, their southern rock inspired track "Uncle Tom's Cabin" alludes to the famous 1852 novel on racial divisions and features lyrics discussing shocking, covered-up murders while power ballad "Bed of Roses" discusses a romance beset by poverty and struggles reminiscent of Bon Jovi's "Livin' on a Prayer".
Through riding high after their multi-platinum success and passionate touring, the band found itself in the middle of the rise of alternative music in the early 90s. In 1992, Warrant released 'Dog Eat Dog'. The record, an attempt by the band to evolve in the face of changing musical trends, received some critical acclaim but achieved only moderate commercial success. Single "Machine Gun", the title alone showing the change in direction, still managed to reach the top 40 rock charts.
After this, the band would begin a long string of member changes, including even singer Jani Lane leaving the band briefly. Lane achieved some small success producing work without the group, doing some covers of other hard rock and metal bands. He would then return before the band released 'Ultraphobic' in 1995 and 'Belly to Belly, Vol. 1' in 1998. These were released on a smaller label and featured a new darker sound. Neither album would remotely come close to the success of the earlier albums. A live album and an album of re-recorded classic tracks as well as an all-covers disc, titled 'Under the Influence', followed these.
Jani Lane would once again leave the band in 2004. Ironically, all the other original members would return to the band the same year. Vocalist Jaime St. James, known for serving as the frontman of Black 'n Blue, would take over as singer. In 2006, Warrant released 'Born Again', which was their first album to not have Lane on vocals.
On March 4, 2008, Warrant announced that Lane had returned to the band. Lane toured with the band through 2008, but he left the band once again soon after. On August 11, 2011, Lane was found dead in a hotel room in Woodland Hills, California. He was 47, and condolences poured in from hard rock fans.
There is another band with the same name:
2) Warrant is, secondly, the name of an 80s-era Speed Metal band from Germany. This Warrant was formed in 1983 in Düsseldorf and has featured an aggressive heavy metal sound akin to contemporaries Iron Maiden and Judas Priest. The band's original line-up was Jörg Juraschek (vocals and bass), Thomas Klein (guitar) and Lothar Wieners (drums). Oliver May (guitar) followed shortly afterwards.
In early 1985, Warrant released the EP 'First Strike', and they soon also released 'The Enforcer'. They went on tour with Warlock later that year. The band sadly split up not too long later, with Juraschek and May going on to form Punchline while Wieners formed Monroxe.
In 1999, the band (with Jörg and Oliver) briefly reunited and recorded two new songs. Both of Warrant's albums were reissued on a single disc in 2000, with those new tracks included. In 2010, 'First Strike' and 'The Enforcer' were re-released, this meaning new artwork as well as the inclusion of some some live recordings.
The band also notably performed several live shows with Necronomicon and starred in some music festivals. In August 2010, they signed a deal with PSR. Fans rejoiced as the group had new life breathed into it.
Bonfire
Warrant Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fast, New York to Paris in half an hour
She's lean, a real love machine
Probably take on the whole football team
Strong, as the day is long
Think you got her figured out
You find out you were wrong
Long, as a limousine
That you've never, never seen
[Chorus:]
Hi ho, away we go
Let's build a fire from coast to coast
Baby's on top, she's on a roll
Gonna burn me down to my soul
I'm as high as a circuis wire
Getting hot like a bonfire
She's free, she's no ones pet
Beautiful, intellegent
You absolutely must respect
The way, she's right as rain
There's a part of her
You're never gonna change
She's unpredictable
Soften you with words and then
She'll eat you like a cannibal
Right, she can go all night
Maybe give you what you want
Maybe put up a fight
[Chorus]
She's tall like the Eiffel Tower
Fast, New York to Paris in half an hour
She's lean, a real love machine
Probably take on the whole football team
Strong, as the day is long
Think you got her figured out
You find out you were wrong
Long, as a limousine
She'll take your body places
That you've never, never seen.
[Chorus]
The lyrics of Warrant's song "Bonfire" describe an attractive, powerful and independent woman who cannot be tamed or fully understood. She is tall like the Eiffel Tower and fast like a jet, and she embodies all the modern urban sophistication of New York and Paris combined. She's lean and muscular, as well as beautiful and intelligent, and she can conquer any challenge or obstacle effortlessly, including the entire football team. But at the same time, there is a mysterious and dangerous side to her, as she's unpredictable and can switch from seductive to savage in a moment's notice. She's not anyone's pet but demands respect and admiration, and she is beyond any man's control or manipulation. The chorus of the song adds a sense of excitement and urgency to the lyrics, as the singer is overwhelmed by the intense passion and desire he feels for this woman, who is like a blazing bonfire burning him down to his soul.
Overall, "Bonfire" is a tribute to the archetypal femme fatale, who represents both the allure and the peril of female power and sexuality. The song uses vivid imagery and metaphors to portray a larger-than-life character who embodies the fantasies and fears of men who are drawn to strong and independent women. At the same time, the song is also a celebration of female empowerment, as the woman in question is not merely an object of desire but a fully realized individual with her own goals and agency.
Line by Line Meaning
She's tall like the Eiffel Tower
She's a tall and striking figure that stands out like the famous monument
Fast, New York to Paris in half an hour
She's quick and efficient, capable of traversing long distances in record time
She's lean, a real love machine
She's physically fit and skilled in the art of love
Probably take on the whole football team
She's strong enough to compete with and possibly defeat an entire team of football players
Strong, as the day is long
She possesses immense strength, enduring as long as the day itself
Think you got her figured out
You believe you understand her completely
You find out you were wrong
You discover that your assumptions were incorrect
Long, as a limousine
She has a long and sleek figure, like a luxurious car
She'll take your body places That you've never, never seen
She'll introduce you to new and exciting physical experiences
Hi ho, away we go
Let's embark on an adventure together
Let's build a fire from coast to coast
Let's ignite a passion that spans the entire country
Baby's on top, she's on a roll
She's in control and on a successful streak
Gonna burn me down to my soul
She'll consume me with her passion and intensity
I'm as high as a circus wire
I'm exhilarated and energized, like an acrobat performing on a tightrope
Getting hot like a bonfire
The passion between us is heating up, like a blazing bonfire
She's free, she's no ones pet
She's independent and not controlled by anyone else
Beautiful, intelligent
She possesses both physical attractiveness and mental smarts
You absolutely must respect
You should have a deep admiration and regard for her
The way, she's right as rain
She's correct and accurate, like the refreshing cleansing rain
There's a part of her You're never gonna change
There are aspects of her personality that are unalterable
She's unpredictable
She's difficult to forecast or anticipate
Soften you with words and then She'll eat you like a cannibal
She'll lull you into a false sense of security with her words, then fiercely consume you
Right, she can go all night
She's capable of going all night long with boundless energy
Maybe give you what you want Maybe put up a fight
She may either give in to your desires or resist and fight against them
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: JANI LANE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind