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Preen
My friend Mark was a real ladies man. When he walked into a room, he'd preen. Mark was a great guy and he always had an upbeat attitude toward life. He was an aspiring filmmaker and he was quick to help out my band by shooting a video for us. A few years after that group dissolved, I ran into Mark at a party and noticed he was wearing a bandana which was an unusual style choice for him. As our conversation progressed, he let me know his life was going well except for the brain tumor he had. However, he was going through chemotherapy and was confident that he would beat the cancer. He had me convinced. I moved to Texas not long afterward. One night I called him to see how the battle was progressing. The person who answered the phone told me Mark had died. This is my tribute to Mark.
Full Of Surprises
Have you ever been let down by someone? Someone you trusted and thought you knew really well? A lot of times we meet people and we slowly let down our defenses then begin to open ourselves to them. It seems that it isn't until we feel the most comfortable and vulnerable that they drop the hammer and really screw us. Unfortunately, we end up putting our faith into the facade they paint for us. When they do show their real side and let us down, it can be very painful. This song is about one time this happened to me.
Control
When I first met the woman who would become my wife, I starting thinking about how each person in a relationship gives up their control in order to be with one another. I reflected on the complete disruption that happens when you fall madly in love. I thought about how our conversations would go as we stayed together over time and those became the lyrics for the verses.
Down
Have you ever heard the phone ring and the sound piercing the still air filled you with a sense of dread? I had been involved with a woman who eventually broke my heart. A few years after our brutal break-up, I was living in Texas. One particular evening, I was feeling exceptionally bad about the direction my life was going. She called me out of the blue--I guess to catch up. Her life was going very well and she let me know that. Sometimes a phone call can bring your whole world into focus. Sometimes a phone call can bring your world crashing down, or at least let you know where you stand.
200 Dollars
Have you ever wanted to just pack up everything, leave town, and start your life over? Sometimes we all just want a clean slate. It's not uncommon for me to hear people say that if they just had a little more money their lives would be completely different. I always doubt it. This tune is centered around a man who's cheating on his wife who is, in turn, cheating on him and how he wants to escape his reality and start over.
I Am Here To Break Your Heart
The bearer of bad news always has the worst job. In the old days, they used to behead them. We've all been put in the unfortunate position where we had to break it to em. The feeling is so sinking because you know all you are bringing is heartbreak. This song serves as a plea for forgiveness and understanding from the messenger's perspective.
L.A. Girlfriend
You know those people you meet at bars or shows or wherever who are constantly putting up a front like they are God's gift to the world? Those people who all seem to have it under control? Have you ever seen them in their real environments where they're forced to really be themselves? It's comical. I was watching a documentary about the L.A. metal music scene in the late 80's. One guy in particular was talking about using the women in the scene to pay his rent and buy him food. He said something like, "The chicks don't even get in the door without a bag of groceries in their arms." I'm convinced this guy really wasn't as cool as he let on. This song is divided into three perspectives: The metal guy bragging to his friends about how he manipulates his girlfriend; the woman complaining about the guy to her friends; and how the guy really acts around the woman when they are together.
The Day They Gave It All Back To You
Roy, my father-in-law, started getting double-vision in his eye. He went to the optometrist and the doctor couldn't find anything wrong so he sent Roy to another doctor. They ran some tests and found that he had multiple myeloma. The doctor said he only had about sixty days to live. Roy is a tough guy and he was convinced he could beat the cancer. He met with a specialist to find out if he had any options for treatment. The new doctor said that they could try a stem-cell treatment and perhaps he could live for a few more years. This song is about that pivotal moment.