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.
Father Christmas
Warrant Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Though I knew it was my dad
And we would hang up the stockings at Christmas
I'd open presents and I'd be glad
But then last year I played Father Christmas
I stood outside a department store
A gang of kids came over and mugged me
They said...
Father Christmas, give us some money
Don't mess around with those silly toys
Beat you up if you don't hand it over
We want your bread so don't make us annoyed
Give all the toys to the little rich boys
Don't give my brother a Steve Austin outfit
Don't give my sister a cuddly toy
Don't want a jigsaw, Monopoly money
We only want the real McCoy
Father Christmas, give us some money
Don't mess around with those silly toys
Beat you up if you don't hand it over
We want your bread so don't make us annoyed
And give my daddy a job 'cause he needs one
He's got a lot of mouths to feed
And if you've got one, I'll take a machine gun
So I can shoot all the kids down my street
Father Christmas, give us some money
Don't mess around with those silly toys
Beat you up if you don't hand it over
We want your bread so don't make us annoyed
Give all the toys to the little rich boys
Have yourself a very Merry Christmas
Have yourself a good time
Remember the kids who got nothin'
While you're drinkin' down your wine
Father Christmas, give us some money
Don't mess around with those silly toys
Father Christmas, give us some money
We'll beat ya up so don't make us annoyed
Father Christmas, give us some money
Don't mess around with those silly toys
Beat you up if you don't hand it over
We want your bread so don't make us annoyed
Give all the toys to the little rich boys
The song "Father Christmas" by Warrant is a cover of the original song by The Kinks. The lyrics tell a story about a man who played the role of Father Christmas (Santa Claus) but was mugged by a group of kids who demanded money rather than toys. The song opens with the singer reminiscing about his childhood belief in Santa Claus, even though he knew it was his dad. However, when the singer played the role of Father Christmas, he was met with unexpected hostility from the children who demanded money instead of toys. Interestingly, this indicates a shift in societal attitudes towards Christmas and the commercialization of the holiday.
The lyrics also touch upon the economic struggles of working-class families during the holiday season. The children's demand for money is not just about greed, but also about the harsh reality of poverty. The song's reference to the singer's father needing a job and having "a lot of mouths to feed" highlights the struggle to make ends meet during the holiday season. The final verse serves as a stark reminder of the disparity and inequality that still exists in our society.
Overall, "Father Christmas" is a poignant social commentary on the commercialization of Christmas, the economic struggles of working-class families during the holiday season, and the harsh reality of poverty and inequality.
Line by Line Meaning
When I was four I believed in Santa Claus
I used to believe in the magic of Christmas and that Santa Claus was a real person who brought presents for children
Though I knew it was my dad
Despite understanding that my father was the one who provided the presents, I still enjoyed the tradition
And we would hang up the stockings at Christmas
As a family, we would decorate and prepare for the holiday by hanging up stockings to be filled with presents
I'd open presents and I'd be glad
I was always happy and grateful when I received presents on Christmas morning
But then last year I played Father Christmas
In the past year, I dressed up as Santa Claus to spread Christmas cheer
I stood outside a department store
I dressed up in my Santa suit and stood outside a store to greet customers and spread holiday cheer
A gang of kids came over and mugged me
A group of kids approached me and stole from me
And knocked my reindeer to the floor
The kids were so rough that they even knocked over my reindeer decoration
Father Christmas, give us some money
The kids demanded that I give them money instead of toys
Don't mess around with those silly toys
They saw toys as childish and worthless, and wanted money instead
Beat you up if you don't hand it over
They threatened me with violence if I didn't give them money
We want your bread so don't make us annoyed
They made it clear that they were serious and that I should comply with their demands
Give all the toys to the little rich boys
They didn't think they deserved toys, and believed that only rich children should have them
Don't give my brother a Steve Austin outfit
They even went so far as to specify what toys they didn't want me to give their siblings
Don't give my sister a cuddly toy
They didn't want any cute or sentimental toys for their sisters
Don't want a jigsaw, Monopoly money
They rejected any form of play or fantasy, and preferred real money
We only want the real McCoy
They were firm in their insistence that they only wanted actual money, not fake substitutes
And give my daddy a job 'cause he needs one
The kids even asked for a practical gift: a job for their unemployed father
He's got a lot of mouths to feed
They explained that their father had a large family to take care of
And if you've got one, I'll take a machine gun
One of the kids even requested a weapon to take revenge on other kids in the neighborhood
So I can shoot all the kids down my street
They had violent fantasies and weren't afraid to express them
Have yourself a very Merry Christmas
Despite the violent encounter, the singer wishes everyone a happy holiday
Have yourself a good time
They encourage everyone to enjoy the holiday season
Remember the kids who got nothin'
The singer asks that people remember those who didn't receive presents or couldn't afford to celebrate the holiday
While you're drinkin' down your wine
The singer acknowledges that many people will be indulging in food and drink over the holiday season
Father Christmas, give us some money
The song ends with a repeat of the earlier line, as a reminder of the demands of the violent kids
We'll beat ya up so don't make us annoyed
They again threaten violence if their demand for money is not met
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Ray Davies
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind