The Record
Jay Aston of Gene Loves Jezebel recently talked about the songs on
Kiss of Life, the band's fifth album and third on Geffen Records. Produced
by Tim Palmer and Paul Fox, the album was recorded in San Francisco, Los
Angeles, and London from September 1989 to February 1990. Aston wrote or
co-wrote all of the songs. "Jealous" is the first single.
Jealous: "I've been living on Old Brompton Road in London where there's a great polarity between poverty and wealth. One night when I was walking, I saw this pair of lovers coming out of a chic restaurant and they were oblivious to this bag lady. They wouldn't look her in the eyes. On one hand, the son'g about my jealousy of seeing these people very happy and on the other about the emotion of seeing such poverty."
It'll End in Tears: "I ended a long relationship recently, but it really took two years for the final break-up, before she would let go. There was a lot of coming around and threatening and endless phone calls. It went from funny to obsessive to dangerous. The song deals with the neurosis of people who won't accept changes. It's a good example of change itself - originally this was a dark ballad, but the band wanted to dance, so it's slightly tongue-in-cheek now."
Kiss of Life: "This was the first song written for the album, working in my home studio. We were coming out of the drk winter of 1988 and putting ourselves back together. I was examining my own place. What am I doing? What was being a rock star worth? It's always meant more to other people than to me. The song's about identity, an important subject for a twin who's always had to search for a separate one. There is a warmth to be sought after, a search for that heaven, whether it's a god or a relationship. It's a very optimistic song, there's hope in it."
Why Can't I: "Again, based on an old relationship I had, a very passionate affair. She broke down in tears in a restaurant. It was my role to get to the source of the problem and get her some relief. But there's trauma in being in a public place and breaking down like that. The song's about trying to make her happy and bring a little light into her life, but just not being able to get through. It's also about loyalty, of always being there when needed."
Syzygy: "The scenario's about a kid in New York looking out over the city and up at the stars until he sees the brightest star, the sun, and morning comes. It sets up the next song, which rides in on it's tail"
Walk Away: "The kid is frightened of the city, it could be any city, and he should walk away, but he can't. The city is dangerous, but it's exhilarating too. It's life itself. He's a dreamer and naive, but there's a wonderful purity he has. He's that child inside of you - the one I try to let out in songs. But there's also the realization that you can't go back to that wonder of childhood when you were so completely happy with yourself and live so vibrantly."
Tangled Up In You: " I had witnessed the girlfriend of one of my friends cheating on him and it was a very difficult time. The song's about losing someone who you would've given everything to. When someone touches your life, they're always with you. But you hope there's an untangling process too. In some ways, the whole album is about exorcism, getting rid of one's demons."
Two Shadows: "Mike and I had always been together; all our dreams were as brothers. We were wondering if we could do it alone. There are natural fears for the future. But the song reflects the happy times. Whatever happens is meant to be. It relates to lovers, too, of being wanted and being lost."
Evening Star: "If songs are like little movies, this is the B-movie track of the album. An "Apocalypse Now" feel, with lots of radio talk and troop movement in it. A future dread scenario. About 1997 when the British give Hong Kong back to the Chinese. No one's quite sure what's going to happen then. The British have been over there so long and the Chinese there feel very much a part of Britian. But they'll soon be separated."
I Die For You: "Trying to communicate with someone
who won't listen. Inspired by wondering how people could possible die for
religion or countries, and then discovering love and finding out. The ultimate
sacrifice. This is my trying to understand those sorts of feelings, of
being trapped and dreaming of liberty."
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