After moving from Denmark to New York in 1982, vocalist Mike Tramp (ex-Mabel and ex-Studs) met Brooklyn guitarist Vito Bratta (ex-Dreamer) and they decided to form a band. The two recruited drummer Nicki Capozzi and bassist Felix Robinson (formerly of Angel) and named the group 'Lion' before settling on 'White Lion'. Local success caused talk of releasing an album.
White Lion was signed by Elektra records in 1983, and they recorded their debut album, Fight To Survive, shortly afterwards. However, Elektra was unhappy with the final recording, and, after refusing to release the album, the label terminated the group's contract. This contributed to major turmoil in the group.
Both Capozzi and Robinson soon left the band. Nicki Capozzi was replaced by former Anthrax drummer Greg D'Angelo, and Felix Robinson was replaced by bassist Dave Spitz (brother of Anthrax guitarist Dan Spitz). Within a month of joining, however, Dave Spitz left to play bass with Black Sabbath and was replaced by James Lomenzo.
The album Fight To Survive was eventually picked up by RCA and released in Japan, a hotbed of international hard rock music at the time, in 1984. The small US independent label Grand Slamm records finally released Fight To Survive in the US on November 9, 1985. A few months later, Grand Slam records went bankrupt.
In early 1986 White Lion, with a fictitious "female" member, had a brief part in the Tom Hanks/Shelley Long movie The Money Pit.
The following year, Atlantic Records released White Lion's second album, Pride, which brought significant success for the band, especially the single "Wait", which climbed to 8th place on the U.S. charts and was popular among fans of heavier metal as well. "When the Children Cry" was an even bigger hit, reaching 3rd place on the charts. That year Atlantic Records also released Fight to Survive worldwide and White Lion toured with Frehley`s Comet, Kiss, AC/DC & Stryper.
In 1989 the album Big Game came out and was a still more successful, helping to solidify White Lion's place among the top tier of hard rock bands of that time. The band's cover of "Radar Love", a classic originally recorded by Golden Earring, was the hit single off of Big Game.
1991 brought Mane Attraction, which was their best album yet, according to Greg D'Angelo, containing the top tracks "Lights And Thunder" and a new version of "Broken Heart", which had been one of their first songs off of their debut album.
In 1992, Greg D'Angelo and James Lomenzo had enough of Tramp and Bratta's continuous fighting, so they left the band. Bassist Tommy T. Bone Caradonna and drummer Jimmy De Grasso replaced them briefly, but in autumn of the same year, White Lion disbanded.
Greg and James have played in different groups after White Lion. Vito Bratta concentrated on classic guitar playing and has not been involved with any bands since. Mike Tramp went on to form and front Freak Of Nature, a short-lived project spanning 1993-1994, with Danish friend Oliver Steffenson. In 1998 Mike released Capricorn, his first of four solo albums.
In 2005, Tramp's White Lion - an all-new, much younger line-up fronted by Mike Tramp - toured and recorded the live album Rockin' The USA. In 2008 they released Return Of The Pride under the original name, White Lion.
Due to legal issues between Tramp and Bratta, White Lion is currently on hiatus.
In the City
White Lion Lyrics
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A monument to there
(And as) you (walk through) to the streets
The people (looking sceared)
And there are parts of the city
Where a hand begins
Then the night time arise for his deadly sin
You think your life's on the trigger
You saying I don't care
No, No he don't care
He walks the street at night
What a lonely soul
With this guys by side he wonders
Why he's alone
But oh in the city when the sun goes down
The neon light goes on and he's on the prowl
The black (sky) in the city
The light shining through
When the sun goes down
(they could be on to you)
Oh in the city
You live or die
In the city
Don't ask why
In the city
You stroll at night
In the city
Stand up and fight
The opening line of "In The City," by White Lion, sets the stage for a song about the dangers and risks associated with living in a city. The "monument" the singer refers to could be any number of structures β from a skyscraper to a statue β that symbolizes the vastness of the environment. As the song continues, the lyrics describe how people in the city seem to be constantly looking over their shoulders, wary of the danger lurking around every corner. The darkness of the city at night only adds to this sense of unease. The second verse of the song introduces the idea that the city is a place where people can lose themselves and become lost in the anonymity of the crowds. The singer of the song seems to be someone who is struggling to find meaning and purpose in this urban landscape. He is lonely and searching for something, but he is also aware of the dangers that come with venturing out into the city at night.
Overall, "In The City" is a song that explores the darker side of city life, highlighting the risks and challenges that come with living in an environment that can be both exciting and dangerous.
Line by Line Meaning
When you look toward the city
As you gaze towards the city skyline
A monument to there
It appears as an imposing structure to behold
The people looking scared
The pedestrians appear intimidated and fearful
And there are parts of the city
There are certain areas of the city
Where a hand begins
A hand gesture signifies the start of something
Then the night time arise for his deadly sin
Nightfall brings about dangerous and immoral behavior
One place in the city where lights shines so pity
A particular part of the city is illuminated, but it is a sorrowful sight
You think your life's on the trigger
You feel as if your life is always in danger
You saying I don't care
You assert that you are indifferent to the risks and concerns
No, No he don't care
He, too, seems to be apathetic towards the hazards around him
He walks the street at night
He patrols the streets after dark
What a lonely soul
He is a desolate and solitary figure
With this guys by side he wonders
He contemplates why he continues to roam with his companions
Why he's alone
He questions his own solitude
But oh in the city when the sun goes down
However, at nightfall in the city
The neon light goes on and he's on the prowl
The neon signs are energized, and he begins to hunt for something
The black sky in the city
The dark sky looming above the cityscape
The light shining through
The illumination piercing through the night
When the sun goes down
As darkness descends
(They could be on to you)
(Someone might be tracking you)
Oh in the city
Ah, the city
You live or die
Your fate is precarious
In the city
In this urban environment
Don't ask why
Do not inquire as to the motives behind the various happenings
In the city
Within city limits
You stroll at night
You take leisurely walks after dark
In the city
Within the confines of the metropolis
Stand up and fight
Do not back down, fight for survival
Lyrics Β© Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: VITO BRATTA, MIKE TRAMP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind