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.
Song And Dance Man
Warrant Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Of change blow through me
It spoke of a million things
Before I die I should see
Open up your eyes
Life is poetry in motion
Late for the open sky
'Cause I am a song and dance man
I am a song and dance man
That's what I am
A song and dance man
Woman oh woman
Sometimes I hear your voice
It calls out to me
It makes my heart bleed
But I don't have any choice
I've opened up my eyes
Life is poetry in motion
Late for the open sky
I'll be ok as soon as I'm on my way
'Cause I am a song and dance man
I am a song and dance man
That's what I am
A song and dance man
Tokyo has rolling thunder
Beautiful women and warm summer rain
Honolulu has starts of fire
Words alone cannot explain
Open up your eyes
And spread your wings and fly
'Cause I am a song and dance man
I am a song and dance man
That's what I am
A song and dance man
The lyrics to Warrant's "Song and Dance Man" express the idea of a wanderlust-driven artist who is compelled to keep moving forward, to keep searching for new experiences to inspire his art. The wind of change he feels blowing through him is the restless call of adventure, which he must heed before he dies. He urges the listener to open their eyes and see that life is poetic motion, and that it is always better to be on the road, late for the open sky, than to be stagnating somewhere. The song's chorus confirms the singer's self-identity as a song and dance man, who lives to perform, and who must keep moving in order to thrive.
The second verse brings a woman's voice into the mix, which has the power to both stir his soul and break his heart. He knows that he has no choice but to keep moving forward, but he still longs for her. The chorus repeats the identity and the urgency from the first verse.
The final verse speaks of two exotic locations, Tokyo and Honolulu, and hints at the idea that there is always something new and wonderful to discover in the world. The song's message is clear: life is a journey, so be a song and dance man, and never stop seeking new experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
Last night I felt a wind
I experienced a sudden change in my life
Of change blow through me
It made me feel different about everything
It spoke of a million things
I felt like anything was possible
Before I die I should see
There are things I want to experience before I die
Open up your eyes
Be aware of the possibilities life has to offer
Life is poetry in motion
Life is an art form
Late for the open sky
There are things I still need to accomplish
I'll be okay as soon as I'm on my way
I know I'll feel better once I start pursuing my dreams
'Cause I am a song and dance man
I am someone who enjoys entertaining others with music and dance
Woman oh woman
Addressing women as a group
Sometimes I hear your voice
There are times when I think about women
It calls out to me
I feel like I'm missing out on something
It makes my heart bleed
I feel emotional about relationships with women
But I don't have any choice
I'm uncertain about what to do in these situations
Tokyo has rolling thunder
Tokyo has the ability to awe and inspire me
Beautiful women and warm summer rain
There is natural beauty and people are attractive
Honolulu has starts of fire
Honolulu has beauty and things make me feel passionate
Words alone cannot explain
There are certain things that can't be described in words
And spread your wings and fly
Take risks in life
'Cause I am a song and dance man
I enjoy entertaining people with music and dance
That's what I am
It's part of my identity
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Round Hill Music Big Loud Songs
Written by: ERIC TURNER, JERRY DIXON, JOEY CAGLE, JOHN OSWALD, LOU REED, STEVEN CHAMBERLIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind