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.
The Bitter Pill
Warrant Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sometimes I feel turned inside out
I'm often silent when I'm screaming inside
Instead of love we tend to hate
We never quite appreciate
How much the other person cares or tries
Hold me close don't ever let me go I'm confused maybe some day I will know why Sometimes I'm right as rain and when it rains it pours you're such a mystery why can't I unlock the door
All that glitters isn't gold too much is overkill love can be beautiful or a bitter pill
And when I'm right I'm also wrong
We give and take to get along
There's so much more to this than I ever dreamed
And when you smile I have to laugh
And when you cry I'm torn in half
So calm and yet so loose at the seams
Liebe kahn eine bittere pille sein
Eine bittere pille
Liebe ist eine bittere pille
Liebe kahn eine bittere pille sein
Ich will ein bier
Ich will be soffen sein
Die ganze welt is dumm
Mir steht es so I'm hals
Ich sage dir
Die liebe kann nur luge sein
Or a bitter pill
The lyrics to Warrant's song "The Bitter Pill" are a reflection on the complexities of love. The lines "Sometimes I'm lost and then I'm found, Sometimes I feel turned inside out" suggest that the singer experiences a range of emotions that can be difficult to navigate. The verse "Instead of love we tend to hate, We never quite appreciate, How much the other person cares or tries" highlights that despite the challenges, love is still something worth pursuing. However, the chorus suggests that love is not always a happy experience, with the lines "All that glitters isn't gold, too much is overkill, love can be beautiful or a bitter pill" suggesting that love can be both rewarding and destructive.
The lyrics also express a sense of confusion surrounding love, with the lines "Hold me close don't ever let me go, I'm confused maybe someday I will know why, sometimes I'm right as rain and when it rains it pours, you're such a mystery why can't I unlock the door". The singer seems unsure about their own feelings and struggles to understand the emotions of their loved one. Despite this, the singer acknowledges the importance of their partner in their life, with lines like "When you smile I have to laugh, And when you cry I'm torn in half".
Overall, "The Bitter Pill" is a complex exploration of the difficulties and intricacies of love, acknowledging that it can be both beautiful and painful.
Interesting facts about the song:
- "The Bitter Pill" was released in 1992 as part of Warrant's "Dog Eat Dog" album.
- Despite the song not having a music video, it was still a hit and received significant airplay on both rock and pop radio stations.
- The song was written by Warrant's lead singer Jani Lane and guitarist Erik Turner.
- Lane said in interviews that the original inspiration for the song's lyrics was a relationship he had with a woman who struggled with addiction.
- The song was featured in several movies and television shows, including the films "Encino Man" and "Out of Bounds" and the TV shows "Beverly Hills, 90210" and "The O.C.".
- In live performances, the band often extended the song's intro to include a guitar solo.
- Warrant's lead guitarist at the time, Joey Allen, has cited "The Bitter Pill" as one of his favorite songs to play live.
- The song's lyrics were translated into German for the album's release in Germany, with the chorus becoming "Liebe kann eine bittere Pille sein".
- "The Bitter Pill" was the fourth single from "Dog Eat Dog" and reached number 69 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.
- "The Bitter Pill" is one of Warrant's most enduring songs and continues to receive airplay on rock radio stations today.
Chords (unofficial):
Verse: F#m - D - A - E
Chorus: D - A - E - D - A - E - D - A - E - D - A - E
Line by Line Meaning
Sometimes I'm lost and then I'm found
I experience moments of confusion and clarity at different times
Sometimes I feel turned inside out
I have moments of feeling emotionally exposed and vulnerable
I'm often silent when I'm screaming inside
I hide my true feelings and emotions even when they are overwhelming me
Instead of love we tend to hate
Sometimes negative emotions take over and love is replaced with hate
We never quite appreciate
We often fail to recognize or value what the other person does for us
How much the other person cares or tries
We don't always acknowledge the effort that the other person puts into the relationship
Hold me close don't ever let me go I'm confused maybe some day I will know why
I need comfort and reassurance even though I may not fully understand my feelings
Sometimes I'm right as rain and when it rains it pours you're such a mystery why can't I unlock the door
I can feel confident and secure one moment and then overwhelmed by uncertainty the next
All that glitters isn't gold too much is overkill love can be beautiful or a bitter pill
Appearances can be deceiving and too much of a good thing can be overwhelming; love can be both wonderful and painful
And when I'm right I'm also wrong
Even when I think I am right, there is always room for error or differing opinions
We give and take to get along
It takes compromise and effort from both parties to make a relationship work
There's so much more to this than I ever dreamed
There are always more layers and complexities to relationships than we initially realize
And when you smile I have to laugh
The little things that make the other person happy can bring joy to my own life
And when you cry I'm torn in half
The pain and sadness of the other person can cause me emotional distress as well
So calm and yet so loose at the seams
The other person may seem composed and together on the surface, but they may also be struggling internally
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: JANI LANE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@studymusic-yn4pd
good music
@Easystreet208
No Comments? DED is such an underrated album! Glad I got to see them on the Tour! Jani was Epic! RIP Brother!
@alinehalldebeuvink9099
Unfortunately for bands like Warrant, 1992 was the beginning of the end for glam metal. The grunge era had begun. Great album and too sad Jani Lane is gone.
@xdude2x
Underrated album, it’s pretty good front to back
@MichaelSanko
So much talent, Rest easy Jani your music will live forever
@paxonPL
Every single song on this album is awesome
@hibhibb5429
💙💙This is such an Awesome song. Jani's one of my all time forever favorites. So Talented. I miss him. He was under appreciated in many ways, in my opinion. We lost him too soon. He should have been able to grow old. To experience walking his daughter down the aisle on her wedding day, grandchildren, create more music etc. Rest in Peace Jani. You'll Never be forgotten. 💙 💙
@taroatom4731
素晴らしい名曲中の名曲。歌もアレンジもメロディもギターソロも本当に良い曲で好きな曲。なぜもっと売れなかったのか不思議。
@shawneldridge4465
💿 I think that warrant needs to do an anniversary of dog eat dog and put it back out to all music stores. This album was way too good and I think it was the Best of all albums they had ever done.
@StarchildSixx
I absolutely LOVE this song. Rest in peace, Jani. I’ve been thinking a lot about you today. You were amazing, Jani, forever the song and dance man. 🤘❤️