The current members are Chris Barron (lead vocals), Anthony Krizan (guitar and vocals), Aaron Comess (drums) and Mark White (bass). The history of the Spin Doctors can be traced back to the late 80s in New York City, originally as a band called Trucking Company, which included Canadian guitarist Eric Schenkman, John Popper, and later Chris Barron. Barron was John Popper's Princeton, New Jersey high school friend. Popper left this side project to focus on his main gig with rock group Blues Traveler full time. With a name change to Spin Doctors, as well as the addition of Aaron Comess and Mark White, the classic lineup was in place by the spring of 1989.
Recorded from August to December 1990 at both the famous Power Station studio in NYC as well as the RPM Studios, NYC and ACME Recording Studios Inc. in Mamaroneck, NY, the band released 'Pocket Full of Kryptonite' on August 20, 1991. Experiencing a slow burn of sorts in terms of success over the next few years, the band released the singles "Jimmy Olsen's Blues", "Little Miss Can't Be Wrong", "How Could You Want Him (When You Know You Could Have Me?)", "Two Princes", and "What Time Is It?", managing serious chart success in both the U.S. and the U.K. Their sound incorporated shades of contemporary college rock and underground power pop as well as more indie and blues rock styles.
'Turn It Upside Down' (1994) was not as successful as 'Kryptonite', although it did sell a million copies. Its second single, "You Let Your Heart Go Too Fast", was a modest hit (#48 on the pop chart). Shortly after the release of Turn It Upside Down, original guitarist Eric Schenkman left the band, citing both musical and personal differences. He was replaced by Anthony Krizan. Fans feared, for good reasons, that the group had somewhat stalled creatively.
The follow-up, You've Got to Believe in Something (1996), sold poorly and the band lost its record contract. Guitarist Krizan also left the band following its release, for reasons that remain relatively unknown. He was replaced by Eran Tabid. Also during this time, Ivan Neville joined the band on keyboards. In 1998, the band signed to Uptown/Universal and released Here Comes the Bride in 1999. During the recording of Here Comes The Bride, Mark White left the band. The bass tracks on the album were finished by original band member Aaron Comess.
During the tour supporting Here Comes The Bride, Chris Barron lost his voice due to a rare form of vocal cord paralysis. Keyboardist Ivan Neville took over vocal duties for a few dates, but the band eventually cancelled the remainder of its tour, crippling sales of the album. Chris' voice came back in late 2000, where he began performing with his band Chris Barron and the Give Daddy Five.
The Spin Doctors remained stagnant until 2001, when the closing of the famous New York City club Wetlands brought the original four members back together. The band started playing one-offs and eventually recorded an album, Nice Talking To Me, released on September 13, 2005. So far, the album has yet to be met with much commercial success. They have also made a guest appearance on the children's book and its accompanying album by Children's Author/Artist Sandra Boynton singing "Tantrum".
Two Princes
Spin Doctors Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
One, two, princes kneel before you
That's what I said, now
Princes, Princes who adore you
Just go ahead, now
One has diamonds in his pockets
That's some bread, now
This one, said he wants to buy you rockets
Ain't in his head, now
This one, got a princely racket
That's what I said, now
Got some big seal upon his jacket
Ain't in his head, now
You marry him, your father will condone you
How 'bout that, now
You marry me, your father will disown you
He'll eat his hat, now
Marry him or marry me
I'm the one that loves you baby can't you see?
I ain't got no future or a family tree
But I know what a prince and lover ought to be
I know what a prince and lover ought to be
Said, if you want to call me baby
Just go ahead, now
And if you like to tell me maybe
Just go ahead, now
And if you wanna buy me flowers
Just go ahead, now
And if you like to talk for hours
Just go ahead, now
Said
One, two, princes kneel before you
That's what I said, now
Princes, Princes who adore you
Just go ahead, now
One has diamonds in his pockets
That's some bread, now
This one, he wants to buy you rockets
Ain't in his head, now
Marry him or marry me
I'm the one that loves you baby can't you see?
I ain't got no future or a family tree
But I know what a prince and lover ought to be
I know what a prince and lover ought to be
Said, if you want to call me baby
Just go ahead, now
And if you like to tell me maybe
Just go ahead, now
And If you wanna buy me flowers
Just go ahead, now
And if you like to talk for hours
Just go ahead, now
And if you want to call me baby
Just go ahead, now
And if you like to tell me maybe
Just go ahead, now
And if you like buy me flowers
Just go ahead, now
And if you like to talk for hours
Just go ahead, now
And if you want to call me baby
Just go ahead, now
If you like to tell me maybe
Just go ahead, now
If you want to buy me flowers
Just, go ahead, now
And if you like to talk for hours
Just go ahead, now
Whoa whoa baby
Just go ahead now
Whoa, just, just go ahead now
Just go ahead now
Whoa you're majesty (just go ahead now)
Come on forget the king and marry me
Just go ahead now
C'mon
C'mon
Come on (just go ahead now)
Just go ahead now, yeah
Just go ahead now
If you want to buy me flowers
Just go ahead now
We all love a good, old-fashioned love triangle, and that is exactly what is going on in Spin Doctors's "Two Princes." The song, released in 1993, opens with the line "One, two, princes kneel before you." Here, the two princes refer to two men who are competing for the love and attention of a woman. While both the princes claim that they adore the woman, they are different in every other aspect. One of the princes has diamonds in his pockets and a princely racket, while the other wants to buy her rockets. They both believe that they are the right choice for her, and they both want her to choose them.
The chorus of the song goes “Marry him, or marry me. I'm the one that loves you baby can't you see? I ain't got no future or a family tree. But I know what a prince and lover ought to be.” The lyrics are asking the woman to make a choice between the two princes or to imply that the real "prince" is the one who loves her despite his lack of wealth or social standing. The song continues with the two princes trying to prove their love for the woman in different ways. In the end, she has to choose between them, and it is up to her who she wants to be with.
"Two Princes" was an incredibly successful song for Spin Doctors, reaching #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States. It was their highest-charting single and was also a hit in many other countries. The song has since become a classic of the 90s era, and it is often used in movies, TV shows, and commercials. The band has also performed the song countless times at concerts, sometimes with a guest musician or as part of a medley.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah
Expressing agreement or excitement
One, two, princes kneel before you
Two suitors are vying for your affection, willing to do anything for you
That's what I said, now
Repeating the message for emphasis
Princes, Princes who adore you
The suits are both princes who are in awe of you
Just go ahead, now
Encouraging the listener to take action
One has diamonds in his pockets
One suitor is wealthy and can offer you material things
That's some bread, now
That is a considerable amount of wealth
This one, said he wants to buy you rockets
The other suitor is ambitious and wants to take you to the stars
Ain't in his head, now
He is not out of his mind; he is serious
This one, got a princely racket
The wealthy suitor has a profitable way of making money
Got some big seal upon his jacket
He has an official stamp of approval signifying his status
You marry him, your father will condone you
If you marry the wealthy suitor, your father will approve of the marriage
How 'bout that, now
Isn't that interesting?
You marry me, your father will disown you
If you marry the other suitor, your father will disinherit you
He'll eat his hat, now
He will be extremely disappointed and surprised
Marry him or marry me
The choice is yours, and the suitors are leaving the decision up to you
I'm the one that loves you baby can't you see?
The other suitor believes in genuine love and that he is the one right for you
I ain't got no future or a family tree
He has no established roots or wealthy background
But I know what a prince and lover ought to be
He understands the qualities necessary to be a great spouse and partner
Said, if you want to call me baby
Giving permission to the listener to show affection towards him
And if you like to tell me maybe
Encouraging the listener to express interest or uncertainty
And if you wanna buy me flowers
Open to receiving gifts or signs of affection
And if you like to talk for hours
Willing to engage in long conversations
Whoa whoa baby
Expressing surprise or admiration towards the listener
Whoa, just, just go ahead now
Encouragement to take action
Whoa you're majesty
Addressing the listener in a regal manner
(just go ahead now)
Repeated encouragement to take action
Come on forget the king and marry me
Encouraging the listener to move on from the wealthy suitor and choose him
C'mon, C'mon, come on (just go ahead now)
Repeated encouragement to take action
Just go ahead now, yeah
Final encouragement to take action, with added enthusiasm
If you want to buy me flowers
Open to receiving gifts or signs of affection
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Aaron Comess, Christopher Gross, Eric Schenkman, Mark White
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind