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.
Till Death Do Us Part
White Lion Lyrics
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Down the pretty aisle
I know that you are mine
And there's nothing in this world
That I know that I won't do
To be near you everyday
Every hour every minute
All through your life
I'll be by your side
Till death do us part
I'll be your friend
My love will never end
Till death do us part
When I wake up everyday
With you lying in my arms
I wonder if I'm dreaming
When I look into your eyes
I just can't believe it's true
That my heart belongs to you
Baby you can have it all
Take my hand and let me lead the way
All through your life
I'll be by your side
Till death do us part
I'll be your friend
My love will never end
Till death do us part
There'll be good times
And there'll be bad
But I will stand beside you woman
All the way
And through the years
As life goes on Å?n' on
When snow will fall on winter nights
I'll keep you warm inside
Yeah baby I will
All through your life
I'll be by your side
Till death do us part
I'll be your friend
My love will never end
Till death do us part
The song "Till Death Do Us Part" by White Lion is a declaration of never-ending love between two people as they walk down the aisle. The first verse talks about the couple walking the golden mile down the aisle, and the singer assures his love that she is hers and that there is nothing in this world that he will not do to be near her every day. He promises to be by her side through thick and thin, good times and bad, and that his love will never end till death do them part.
The chorus reaffirms his promises, as he states again that he will be his love's friend and will be there for her till death do them part. He talks about waking up with his love in his arms every day and how it feels like he is living in a dream. He assures her that his heart belongs to her, and she can have it all. Through the years, as life goes on and snow falls, he promises to keep her warm inside and be by her side all through her life.
Overall, "Till Death Do Us Part" is a simple yet powerful love song that showcases the singer's unwavering commitment to his partner, promising to love her till the end of time.
Line by Line Meaning
As we talk the golden mile
As we walk towards our future together
Down the pretty aisle
Towards the altar where we will be wed
I know that you are mine
I am assured that you belong to me
And there's nothing in this world
No force in the world can make me let go of you
That I know that I won't do
I am willing to do anything to be with you
To be near you everyday
To spend each and every day with you
Every hour every minute
Every moment of every day
Take my hand and let me lead the way
Allow me to guide and protect you
All through your life
Throughout your entire lifespan
I'll be by your side
I will always be there for you
Till death do us part
Until we pass away
I'll be your friend
I will be your companion and support system
My love will never end
My affection for you is eternal
When I wake up everyday
Each morning when I arise
With you lying in my arms
With your body close to mine
I wonder if I'm dreaming
I question whether our love is too good to be true
When I look into your eyes
When I gaze deeply into your soul
I just can't believe it's true
I find it hard to accept that our love is real
That my heart belongs to you
You own a special place in my heart
Baby you can have it all
I am willing to give you everything
There'll be good times
We will experience moments of joy and happiness
And there'll be bad
We will also face struggles and hardship
But I will stand beside you woman
I will remain steadfastly loyal to you
All the way
Until the end of time
And through the years
As time passes us by
As life goes on Å?n' on
As our journey through life continues
When snow will fall on winter nights
During the cold, lonely nights of winter
I'll keep you warm inside
I will comfort and protect you
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: VITO BRATTA, MIKE TRAMP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind