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.
Let It Rain
Warrant Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I want to call so bad
To find out, who's holding on to
The most beautiful thing I ever had
Babe I guess I never really took the time
To show how much I care
Let it rain (rain)
Let it rain down on me
Hide these tears I'm crying
So no one can see
That I'm still not over you
But if you're over me
Let it rain (rain)
Let it rain down on me
We used to lay together like spoons
It was the only way I could sleep
And this pillow is a poor subsitute
For your body next to me
I reach to pull you closer
And remember you're not there
[Chorus]
The rain is not so bad after all
It camouflages every tear that falls
It cleanses me of all the blame
I've put upon myself
I hear you're married now
Well I hope he treats you well
Oh let it rain
[Chorus]
I can't get up the nerve to call you
Warrant's song Let It Rain is a poignant ballad about lost love and heartache. The first verse paints the picture of the singer's desire to contact his former lover and find out who she is now with. However, he is too afraid to take the first move. He confesses that he never truly expressed how much he cared for her when they were together. The chorus declares that he wants to hide his tears from everyone, but he is yet to get over her. He accepts that he has to let go, and if she has moved on, then he wishes that the rain could wash away his tears and cleanse his pain.
The second verse paints the picture of the tangible absence of his lover. He reminisces about lying together like spoons, with her being the only one who could comfort him enough to sleep. However, the pillow he has is no substitute for her body. The second chorus repeats the first and brings forth the symbolic meaning of rain. The tears that once concealed his sadness are now camouflaged by rain. The rain cleanses him of the blame he has placed on himself and finally ends with him wishing his former lover well, letting her go as he lays his heart bare to the rain.
Overall, the song is an emotional depiction of a breakup that is hard to let go of. The singer regrets not showing his love when it mattered most and is left grappling with the pain. However, he finds solace in the rain, which washes away the past and cleanses him to move forward with his life.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't get up the nerve to call you
I'm too scared to pick up the phone and talk to you
But I want to call so bad
I have a strong desire to contact you
To find out, who's holding on to
I want to know if someone else has taken my place in your life
The most beautiful thing I ever had
You are the most precious and beautiful thing I've ever had in my life
Babe I guess I never really took the time
I admit that I didn't show you the appreciation and care that you deserved
To show how much I care
I should have expressed my feelings and demonstrated my affection more often
Let it rain (rain)
It's okay for it to rain
Let it rain down on me
I accept the rain falling on me
Hide these tears I'm crying
I don't want anyone to see me crying
So no one can see
I want to keep my emotions to myself
That I'm still not over you
I haven't moved on from you yet
But if you're over me
If you've already moved on from me
Let it rain (rain)
I'm still okay with the rain falling
Let it rain down on me
I'll accept it either way
We used to lay together like spoons
We used to cuddle close to each other while sleeping
It was the only way I could sleep
I found comfort and relaxation only when I was next to you
And this pillow is a poor substitute
Now that you're gone, this pillow just can't replace the warmth and love you gave me
For your body next to me
I miss having you lying next to me
I reach to pull you closer
In my memories or dreams, I imagine reaching out to hold you closely
And remember you're not there
But I'm always sadly reminded that you're not with me anymore
The rain is not so bad after all
I'm starting to find comfort in the rain, even if it used to make me sad
It camouflages every tear that falls
The rain hides my tears from everyone else
It cleanses me of all the blame
The rain helps me to let go of any guilt or self-blame I feel regarding our breakup
I've put upon myself
I've been blaming myself for our breakup
I hear you're married now
I've heard that you're married to someone else
Well I hope he treats you well
I wish you all the happiness and love with your new husband
Oh let it rain
I'm okay with the rain falling now
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JANI LANE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Juliana Cristina
I can't get up the nerve to call you
But I want to call so bad
To find out, who's holding on to
The most beautiful thing I ever had
Babe I guess I never really took the time
To show how much I care
Let it rain (rain)
Let it rain down on me
Hide these tears I'm crying
So no one can see
That I'm still not over you
But if you're over me
Let it rain (rain)
Let it rain down on me
We used to lay together like spoons
It was the only way I could sleep
And this pillow is a poor subsitute
For your body next to me
I reach to pull you closer
And remember you're not there
Let it rain (rain)
Let it rain down on me
Hide these tears I'm crying
So no one can see
That I'm still not over you
But if you're over me
Let it rain (rain)
Let it rain down on me
The rain is not so bad after all
It camouflages every tear that falls
It cleanses me of all the blame
I've put upon myself
I hear you're married now
Well I hope he treats you well
Oh let it rain
Let it rain (rain)
Let it rain down on me
Hide these tears I'm crying
So no one can see
That I'm still not over you
But if you're over me
Let it rain (rain)
Let it rain down on me
I can't get up the nerve to call you
M. Guarisco
The rain is not so bad after all
It camouflages every tear that falls...
How I miss you...
Kimberly Lobb
❤❤❤❤❤
Angelique Bost
❤❤❤❤❤😢
melissa faso
Warrant is not the same without Jani, May he rest in peace. He was such an amazing singer songwriter. He is missed by many.
Obi Wan
He was Warrant, main songwriter, thank God for his legacy.
Danni
Beautiful voice...the very best♥
Judas
Jani Lane was Warrant.
Carla Kinstley
Jani was Warrant❤ RIP :(
Angel Derring
Yeee!
Kim Streeper
Jani Lane! Such a highly underrated talent! I hope he has finally escaped his demons and is resting peacefully. God bless you, Jani!