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.
I Saw Red
Warrant Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ooh it must be magic
How inside your eyes
I see my destiny
Every time we kiss
I feel you breathe your love so deep inside of me
If the moon and stars should fall
They'd be easy to replace
And you would take their place
Then I saw red
When I opened up the door
I saw red
My heart just spilled onto the floor
And I didn't need to see his face
I saw yours
I saw red and then I closed the door
I don't think I'm gonna love you anymore
Everyday I wake up
I thank God that you are still a part of me
We've opened up the door to which
So many people never find the key
And if the sun should ever fail to send its light
We would burn a thousand candles
And make everything alright
Then I saw red
When I opened up the door
I saw red
My heart just spilled onto the floor
And I didn't need to see his face
I saw yours
I saw red and then I closed the door
I don't think I'm gonna love you anymore
I've been hurt
And I've been blind
I'm not sure that I'll be fine
I never thought it would end this way
Then I saw red
When I opened up the door
I saw red
My heart just spilled onto the floor
Mmh, and I didn't need to see his face
Oh I saw yours
I saw red and then I closed the door
I don't think I'm gonna love you anymore
Ooh it must be magic
Warrant's song "I Saw Red" is an emotional power ballad that tells the story of a relationship falling apart. The song's opening lyrics describe the intense love between the two people, with the singer feeling as though they have found their destiny in their partner's eyes. The imagery of the moon and stars falling pales in comparison to the love that the singer shares with their partner, and they would do anything to keep them safe.
However, things take a dark turn when the singer unexpectedly walks in on their partner with someone else. The shock and pain of seeing their partner with another person causes the singer to see red - a metaphor for intense anger and jealousy. The pain is so intense that the singer's heart feels like it has spilled onto the floor. They don't need to see the other person's face because they are already reeling from the hurt of seeing their partner with someone else.
The song is a poignant exploration of the emotions that come with a relationship's breakdown. The chorus of "I saw red" is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the singer's pain and disappointment. The final lyrics of "I don't think I'm gonna love you anymore" suggest that the singer has given up on the relationship entirely.
Line by Line Meaning
Ooh yeah
Expressing an emotional reaction to something that is surreal.
Ooh it must be magic
The singer perceives their relationship as being special and mystical.
How inside your eyes
The singer is mesmerized by the depth of their partner's eyes.
I see my destiny
The artist feels that their future is intertwined with their partner's and sees them as their soulmate.
Every time we kiss
The artist feels an overwhelming rush of love and passion when they share a kiss with their partner.
I feel you breathe your love so deep inside of me
The singer feels their partner's love is so powerful that they can physically feel it in their body.
If the moon and stars should fall
The singer emphasizes the depth of their love by comparing their devotion to their partner to the immensity of the sky.
They'd be easy to replace
The artist feels that their partner is irreplaceable, and nothing in the universe could ever compare to their love.
I would lift you up to heaven
The artist would do anything to make their partner feel loved and cherished.
And you would take their place
The artist's partner is so special that they would take the place of anything in the world, even celestial bodies.
Then I saw red
The mood of the song changes, and the singer's emotions are heightened. They become angry and hurt.
When I opened up the door
The artist discovered something that shattered their heart.
My heart just spilled onto the floor
The singer is overcome with emotion and feels as if their heart has been physically broken.
And I didn't need to see his face
The singer's reaction wasn't based on who they saw, but rather who they were thinking of.
I saw yours
The singer was thinking of their partner and felt betrayed by them.
I don't think I'm gonna love you anymore
The artist no longer feels the same depth of love for their partner and is contemplating the end of their relationship.
Everyday I wake up
The artist thinks about their partner every day and appreciates having them in their life.
I thank God that you are still a part of me
The singer feels grateful to have their partner in their life.
We've opened up the door to which
The singer and their partner have cultivated a deep, intimate relationship that is not easily found.
So many people never find the key
The artist recognizes that many people struggle to find true, lasting love.
And if the sun should ever fail to send its light
The artist again emphasizes the depth of their love by comparing it to a catastrophic event.
We would burn a thousand candles
The artist would do whatever it takes to keep their love alive.
And make everything alright
The singer feels that their love can conquer all and that they can overcome anything as long as they have each other.
I've been hurt
The artist has experienced pain in the past.
And I've been blind
The singer has been unable to see what was happening in their relationship.
I'm not sure that I'll be fine
The singer is uncertain about the future of their relationship and their emotional state.
I never thought it would end this way
The singer is surprised and devastated by the events that caused their relationship to crumble.
Mmh, and I didn't need to see his face
The artist's anger and hurt is directed towards their partner, not the person they saw.
Oh I saw yours
The artist's pain is much deeper since it comes from someone they loved and trusted.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: Eric Turner, Jerry Dixon, Joey Cagle, John Oswald, Steven Chamberlain
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Keith James
Ooh, it must be magic
How inside your eyes I see my destiny
Every time we kiss
I feel you breathe your love so deep inside of me
If the moon and stars should fall
They'd be easy to replace
I would lift you up to heaven
And you would take their place
Then I saw red
When I opened up the door
I saw red
My heart just spilled onto the floor
And I didn't need to see his face
I saw yours
I saw red and then I closed the door
I don't think I'm gonna love you anymore
Every day I wake up
I thank God that you are still a part of me
We've opened up the door to which
So many people never find the key
And if the sun should ever fail to send its light
We would burn a thousand candles
And make everything all right
Then I saw red
When I opened up the door
I saw red
My heart just spilled onto the floor
And I didn't need to see his face
I saw yours
I saw red and then I closed the door
I don't think I'm gonna love you anymore
I've been hurt and I've been blind
I'm not sure that I'll be fine
I never thought it would end this way
'Cause I saw red
When I opened up the door
I saw red
My heart just spilled onto the floor
And I didn't need to see his face
Oh, I saw yours
I saw red and then I closed the door
I don't think I'm gonna love you anymore
moresnare
Fools can make fun of these types of bands all they want, but this song was a masterpiece.
"And if the sun should ever fail to send its light
We would burn a thousand candles
And make everything alright..."
The lyrics, in general, are superb.
Beautiful.
matkiding
My heart just spilled onto the floor
2020
Juraj Vanko
I read this comment as he singed it.
Beth Fifer
Do u still have your long hair,
Simone D.
2021❤🎶
Dead Girl
@Beth Fifer who? If you're referring to Jani then no he doesn't.. He died in 2011
evoule
I dont like these lyrics because I imagine them too literally. :D
Kari Hufnagel
Jani Lane had one of the most beautiful and versatile voices out there. He could sing anything! Very sadly missed.
Patrice Del Rosario
Too under... ppl don't seem to feel anymore
voiceMYopinion
agreed! i saw him in austin, texas. they were passed their prime, but still rocked. hope you are rockin' in "heaven" now, jani!
Tommy Thompson
It angel vocals he was in angel form