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.
Sad Theresa
Warrant Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On your front porch swing
The lights are twinkling bright
But nobody's home
Oh sweet country thing
With your dress hiked up to your knees
Waiting on a call
[Chorus:]
Oh Theresa, can I come over tonight
Can I come over, come over
Would your mother say its alright
Oh Theresa, can I come over tonight
Ballerina
On your bedroom door
Well I know that you've got dreams
But I've got my own
Maybe someday
I'll hit those big city lights
But I'll never forget your face
On warm summer nights
[Chorus]
I've always wanted to sing
And I've always wanted to be
Somebody's idol, somebody's daydream
Maybe their fantasy
[Chorus]
Oh Theresa can I come over tonight?
The song "Sad Theresa" by Warrant tells the story of a young man who is infatuated with a girl named Theresa who lives in a rural area. The first verse describes her sitting on her front porch swing with the lights twinkling, but no one is at home. The singer refers to her as a "sweet country thing" with her dress hiked up to her knees, waiting for a call from faith, hope, or charity. The second verse paints a picture of Theresa's bedroom door, adorned with a ballerina, and mentions that she has dreams just like the singer does. He may have aspirations of hitting it big in the big city, but he will never forget Theresa on warm summer nights.
The chorus of the song is a plea for Theresa to let the singer come over. He asks her if her mother would say it's alright for him to visit. The entire song has a longing and wistful quality to it, wanting to connect with someone and be someone's idol or fantasy. Overall, the song conveys a sense of nostalgia and represents the universal theme of unrequited love.
Line by Line Meaning
Sad Theresa
Addressing Theresa in a melancholic manner.
On your front porch swing
Describing Theresa's current physical location.
The lights are twinkling bright
Observing the illumination provided by external sources around Theresa's abode.
But nobody's home
Statement of fact that no one is inside the house.
Oh sweet country thing
An affectionate compliment directed at Theresa.
With your dress hiked up to your knees
Observing Theresa's attire and appearance.
Waiting on a call
Imagining a scenario where Theresa is poised for a phone call.
From faith, hope or charity
Speculating on who might be calling Theresa.
[Chorus:] Oh Theresa, can I come over tonight
The primary message of the song's chorus, in which the singer expresses a desire to visit Theresa and seeks permission to do so.
Can I come over, come over
Repetition of the central message of the chorus.
Would your mother say its alright
Asking if Theresa's mother would allow the singer to visit.
Ballerina
A term of endearment directed at Theresa.
On your bedroom door
Describing an object in Theresa's room.
Well I know that you've got dreams
Acknowledging that Theresa has aspirations.
But I've got my own
The singer has his own goals and ambitions.
Maybe someday
Expressing hope for the future.
I'll hit those big city lights
The singer will achieve fame and success in the city.
But I'll never forget your face
Despite his future plans, the singer will always remember Theresa.
On warm summer nights
Detailing a specific time of year and setting in which the singer recalls Theresa.
[Chorus]
Repetition of the previous chorus.
I've always wanted to sing
Expressing a personal aspiration of the singer.
And I've always wanted to be
Further elaborating on the singer's wish.
Somebody's idol, somebody's daydream
Articulating the type of fame the singer seeks.
Maybe their fantasy
Building on the previous line, expressing the hope to be someone's ultimate desire or dream.
[Chorus]
Final repetition of the chorus.
Oh Theresa can I come over tonight?
A final plea to Theresa to be allowed a visit.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: J. LANE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Sad Theresa
On your front porch swing
The lights are twinkling bright
But nobody's home
Oh sweet country thing
With your dress hiked up to your knees
Waiting on a call
From faith, hope or charity
Oh Theresa, can I come over tonight
Can I come over, come over
Would your mother say its alright
Oh Theresa, can I come over tonight
Ballerina
On your bedroom door
Well I know that you've got dreams
But I've got my own
Maybe someday
I'll hit those big city lights
But I'll never forget your face
On warm summer nights
Oh Theresa, can I come over tonight
Can I come over, come over
Would your mother say its alright
Oh Theresa, can I come over tonight
I've always wanted to sing
And I've always wanted to be
Somebody's idol, somebody's daydream
Maybe their fantasy
Oh Theresa, can I come over tonight
Can I come over, come over
Would your mother say its alright
Oh Theresa, can I come over tonight
Oh Theresa can I come over tonight?
Mojoman57
Unfortunately this album came out right when the industry controllers decided hair was out and heroine was in. Best Warrrant album for sure.
Jav C
that is not entirely true. unfair to blame the record business for the demise of these bands or that genre. blame the C level and D level bands from that era who had no business getting a record deal. those bands forced the genre to be oversaturated with inferior music that did severe damage by not selling records, not having hit songs, etc.
you also have to blame these bands that had success because they took their success for granted and of course money/fame/mtv will influence a "rock star" into thinking they are unstoppable. that of course is not true.
this particular song was around back in '87 and Warrant only released the song in '92. far too late for a positive impact and rightfully so. is this really a hit song or a fantastic album track? I think the latter. "heaven" is a hit song. "cherry pie" is a hit song.
Dean Entringer
A rare talent like Jani doesn't come around often.He could do it all... write a pop song with a hook,a ballad,a kick ass metal tune or deeper songs from a very creative thoughtful place.He could sing,play drums and guitar.Even if his music isn't your cup of tea there is no denying his talent. RIP Jani
Jimmy Z
Wow, Dean! You absolutely nailed it here. Very well said, and I am not even going to try to add to it. You summed it up perfectly. What a MONSTER talent. RIP, Janie.
jsmilers
Amen, brother. Well said.
matt_man000
Truer words have never been spoken. Dude was a musical genius whether you like it or not. My fav by far and he is sorely missed especially with the shit that is out today.
smitchix1
The simplicity and beauty of this song is timeless. Jani was brilliant and for those of us that grew up with Warrant as part of the soundtrack of our youth, we know just how great he was. Those times will never be duplicated - let the memories burn brightly. RIP Jani we loved you.
Jason Miner
Very well said and so spot on! The likes of Warrant, Poison, Def Leppard, Winger, Slaughter... those days will NEVER be duplicated. The music from our youth was insane!
Madame Salamander
Still listening in 2020. I sincerely grieved when Jani passed. This song is so pure and bittersweet. I find myself remembering all those late nights sitting on the front porch with my high school boyfriend, until adulthood called and it was the last. I wish I had known how much fun I was having while I was having it. I'm one of the fortunate few that would gladly go back there. Blessings to you and yours, YouTube Land.
Adam Jones
Fantastic song! How was this not a commercial hit?