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.
Quicksand
Warrant Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And this is what I'm gonna say
Second thought I think I'll take the time
To say it to her face
I can't eat, I can't sleep
I feel I'm going down for the last time
I'm sinking in your sea
[Chorus:]
And do I love you, yes I do
But I love my own life too
As I lay here, holding your hand
I can't help but fell you don't understand
The tighter you hold on
The more that it's feeling
Like quicksand
Our fate is written in the stars
It's written on your face
You're holding too tight to my heart
It's gonna burst and leave an empty space
[Chorus x 2]
The lyrics to Warrant's song Quick Sand depict the singer torn between his love for his partner and his own self-preservation. He is considering writing a letter to his lover to express his feelings, but decides that he needs to tell her in person. He feels overwhelmed and drowning in his partner's insecurities. He loves her, but he also values his own life which seems to be slipping away from him. The singer seems to be experiencing an internal struggle, as he is holding his partner's hand and feels that she doesn't understand his plight. The more she tries to hold on tighter to him, the more he feels suffocated like quicksand.
The chorus of the song reiterates the singer’s dilemma, where he loves his partner, but he also values his own life. He is unsure how to balance the two parts of his life, and the analogy of quicksand conjures up an image where the more he tries to escape, the more he is pulled into the depths of his crisis.
Line by Line Meaning
Gonna write a letter to my baby
I plan on communicating to my significant other via written word
And this is what I'm gonna say
I will articulate how I feel and express my emotions
Second thought I think I'll take the time
Perhaps it would be better if I spoke to her in person instead
To say it to her face
I'll be brave and communicate my message directly
I can't eat, I can't sleep
Your absence is affecting me negatively
I feel I'm going down for the last time
I'm overwhelmed and can't handle my emotions much longer
I'm sinking in your sea
Your negative energy is affecting me
Of insecurity
I'm constantly anxious about our relationship
And do I love you, yes I do
I have a deep feeling of love towards you
But I love my own life too
I also have to put my own well-being first
As I lay here, holding your hand
I'm currently with you and close to you
I can't help but fell you don't understand
Despite our closeness, I still feel like you aren't comprehending my emotions
The tighter you hold on
You're holding onto me too tightly
The more that it's feeling
This is causing me to feel
Like quicksand
Stuck and unable to move forward
Our fate is written in the stars
Our destiny has already been determined
It's written on your face
You're showing signs of how our relationship is faring
You're holding too tight to my heart
You're getting too clingy and demanding
It's gonna burst and leave an empty space
This will lead to me feeling disconnected and alone
And do I love you, yes I do
I still have strong feelings of love for you
But I love my own life too
I need to keep putting myself first for my own sake
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: J. LANE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
BrotherCane
Quicksand
by WARRANT
Gonna write a letter to my baby
And this is what I'm gonna say
Second thought I think I'll take the time
To say it to her face
I can't eat, I can't sleep
I feel I'm going down for the last time
I'm sinking in your sea
Of insecurity
And do I love you, yes I do
But I love my own life too
As I lay here, holding your hand
I can't help but fell you don't understand
The tighter you hold on
The more that it's feeling
Like quicksand
Our fate is written in the stars
It's written on your face
You're holding too tight to my heart
It's gonna burst and leave an empty space
And do I love you, yes I do
But I love my own life too
As I lay here, holding your hand
I can't help but fell you don't understand
The tighter you hold on
The more that it's feeling
Like quicksand
Quicksand ...
And do I love you, yes I do
But I love my own life too
As I lay here, holding your hand
I can't help but fell you don't understand
The tighter you hold on
The more that it's feeling
Like quicksand
Quicksand ...
Jani Lane
1992 © BMG Rights Management US, LLC
Dave M
always thought this was the best Warrant album. Not a bad song off this album... to bad it came out at the end of the glam craze. Real fans know this album rocks! R.I.P. Jani!!!!!!
Jonathan Landers
Yea. They got better over time.
hoss glover
😆 80s child agrees...
hoss glover
Great comment 80s child😉
Tim Brown
Winger came out with "Pull" around the same time, easily their best and hardest rocking album. It's ironic that some of the best "hair band" albums were coming out at the very end of that era.
Derick Arnold
Wide Awake!! Warrant rules
aintgonnahappen
One of my all time favorite songs. It doesn't get its due.
LRN_News
My favorite Warrent song
Mitzi73
Jani's voice just gets into my soul.
danielle kennedy
You know that's right no one can sing ballads like jani could!!