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.
VERTIGO
Warrant Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My feet are in the ocean
My body is earth bound
My mind is an explosion
[CHORUS]
Right on time with that line
I'm a kite up in the sky
Don't stray to far away
I want to feel like this forever
Vertigo
My soul has caught the perfect wave
My spirit is my lover
I hope it rains for forty days
I will walk across the water
In Warrant's song Vertigo, the lyrics express a feeling of euphoria and being lost in the moment. The first verse states "My head is floating in the clouds, my feet are in the ocean, my body is earthbound, my mind is an explosion." These lines paint a vivid picture of feeling light-headed and disconnected from reality.
The chorus expresses the desire to stay in this moment forever: "Right on time with that line, I'm a kite up in the sky, I don't want to wonder why, don't stray too far away, I want to feel like this forever, vertigo." The metaphor of being a kite in the sky represents the freedom and weightlessness felt in the moment.
The second verse continues the imagery of being lost in the moment, with the lines "My soul has caught the perfect wave, my spirit is my lover, I hope it rains for forty days, I will walk across the water." The lyrics suggest being in harmony with the universe and the elements, and possessing a sense of invincibility.
Overall, the lyrics to Vertigo capture the feeling of being completely absorbed in the present moment and wanting to stay there forever, despite the uncertainty and lack of control that comes with it.
Line by Line Meaning
My head is floating in the clouds
I feel dreamy and unfocused, disconnected from reality
My feet are in the ocean
I feel grounded and connected to nature
My body is earth bound
Physically I am part of this world, limited in my movements and actions
My mind is an explosion
Mentally I am filled with intense energy and excitement
Right on time with that line
I am in sync with the music and the rhythm of life
I'm a kite up in the sky
I am free and soaring high above my problems and worries
I don't want to wonder why
I am content to just enjoy the moment and not question its meaning
Don't stray to far away
I don't want to lose sight of what is important or get lost in my own thoughts
I want to feel like this forever
I wish to stay in this moment of pure joy and elation indefinitely
Vertigo
This intense feeling of being simultaneously disoriented and exhilarated
My soul has caught the perfect wave
I am at one with the rhythm of the universe and riding on a wave of good fortune
My spirit is my lover
I am intimately connected to my own sense of self and purpose
I hope it rains for forty days
I wish for an extended period of prosperity and abundance in my life
I will walk across the water
I have faith in my own inner strength and ability to overcome any obstacle
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOE BIHARI, MARVIN PHILLIPS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind