The group was formed in 1988 in Winnipeg, Manitoba by vocalist Daniel Greaves, guitarist Joey Serlin, bassist Pete Loewen and drummer Sammy Kohn. Serlin was a comic fan and named the group after the DC comic. They released their debut album, McLaren Furnace Room, in 1992. (The album was named for one of the band's rehearsal spaces, the furnace room of the McLaren Hotel in Winnipeg.) The single "Cracked" garnered the band significant airplay on rock stations, but was quickly eclipsed by the anti-spousal abuse anthem "Run and Hide", which became the band's breakthrough hit.
Loewen left the band, and was replaced by Ken Tizzard. The band's 1994 album In the Trees confirmed their place in Canadian rock with the hit singles "Boneyard Tree", "All Uncovered" and "Lusitana".
Their 1996 album Brand New Day was not as well-received by critics or audiences -- "Zoom", "Incarnate" and "Shut Up" were moderately successful singles, but none achieved the kind of success that the band's earlier singles had. 1998's Silent Radar was the band's return to commercial success, with the hit singles "Stereo", "Any Day Now" and "Brighter Hell".
Their 2001 album Slomotion saw the exit of Sammy Kohn and the remaining members experimenting with more industrial textures. As if prepared for a bad reception, the band also packaged the album with a second greatest hits disc. The album was, indeed, poorly received by fans and critics, with only the single "Absolutely Anytime" gaining any radio airplay.
The band subsequently broke up. Greaves went on to form Doctor with Rob Higgins, Tizzard joined Thornley, and Serlin appeared on Ryan Malcolm's debut album before forming his own new band, Redline.
In 2009, the band reformed and started touring again.
Stereo
The Watchmen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How loud does it go
What songs do I know
And what ever happened to my plans
What ever happened to life I thought I'd have
My life is a stereo
Kind of cheaply made though
How bad does it show
What ever did become of all my friends
What ever happened to the likes of all of them
My life is a stereo
Turn me on and let's go
Turn me up louder
I'll scream as loud and clear as I can scream
If you like what you're hearing please hang on to me
I like being here and I'm all hooked up wrong
Hang on to me though I'm one of a million
Please hang on to me
My life is a stereo
Out of phase but you know
Sixty cycles humming
And what ever happened to my friends
What ever happened to the likes of all of them
I like being here and I'm all hooked up wrong
Hang on to me though I'm one of a million
Please hang on to me
And my lights are like candles
I'm so afraid of new technology
I'm in the race and I don't to be
I'm so afraid of what's to come to be
I'm in the race and I don't to be
Life ends in stereo
Pack me up and let's go
Put me anywhere
Please don't think of leaving me behind
Whatever happens to you I'll get on just fine
One of a million
The Watchmen's song Stereo is a poignant, introspective reflection on life, its twists and turns and how the singer feels lost in it all. The metaphor of a stereo is used to convey this feeling of being a small part of something bigger, something that is out of the singer's control, and which they are trying to make sense of. The opening lines, "My life is a stereo, how loud does it go, what songs do I know, and what ever happened to my plans" set the tone for the rest of the song. The singer is questioning the direction their life has taken and is seeking meaning and purpose in it.
Throughout the song, the singer reflects on their friends, their technology fears and their disconnection from others. The line "I'm so afraid of new technology, I'm in the race and I don't want to be" speaks to the pressures of modern society and the feeling of being left behind. The line "What ever did become of all my friends, what ever happened to the likes of all of them" conveys a sense of loss and sadness at the passing of time.
The refrain "Hang on to me though I'm one of a million" speaks to the theme of connection and belonging, and how even though the singer feels lost and disconnected, they still seek human connection and companionship. The song ends on a note of acceptance, with the line "Whatever happens to you I'll get on just fine", conveying the idea that life is unpredictable and sometimes we just have to go with the flow.
Line by Line Meaning
My life is a stereo
My existence is like a stereo where I listen to and experience life.
How loud does it go
How intense can life get and how far can I push myself?
What songs do I know
What experiences have I had and what have I learned from them?
And what ever happened to my plans
What became of my aspirations and goals?
What ever happened to life I thought I'd have
What happened to the life I imagined for myself?
Kind of cheaply made though
Although poorly constructed, my life is still meaningful.
How bad does it show
Do other people perceive my life's flaws and imperfections?
What ever did become of all my friends
What happened to my companions from the past?
What ever happened to the likes of all of them
What befell the people I used to hold in high regard?
Turn me on and let's go
Activate me and begin the journey.
Turn me up louder
Intensify my experiences.
I'll scream as loud and clear as I can scream
I will vocalize my emotions and feelings strongly, with no regret.
If you like what you're hearing please hang on to me
If you enjoy being around me and my energy, stay close to me.
I like being here and I'm all hooked up wrong
I enjoy existing even though I don't feel like I fit in entirely.
Hang on to me though I'm one of a million
Stay by my side even though I blend in with the crowd.
Out of phase but you know
I may not be in sync with others but you can understand me.
Sixty cycles humming
The hum of electricity subtly vibrates in my environment.
And my lights are like candles
My personal achievements pale in comparison to others'.
I'm so afraid of new technology
I have apprehension about innovations and advancements in society.
I'm in the race and I don't to be
I'm participating in a competition I don't want to win.
I'm so afraid of what's to come to be
I'm anxious about what the future holds.
Life ends in stereo
Death is an experience just like life.
Pack me up and let's go
Prepare me for the afterlife.
Put me anywhere
Lay me to rest in any location.
Please don't think of leaving me behind
Don't abandon me in death.
Whatever happens to you I'll get on just fine
I'll be alright once you've passed away.
Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: Daniel Greaves, Joey Serlin, Ken Tizzard, Sammy Kohn
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Goddess
on Zoom
I would love to know the interpretation of this song.
I’m thinking it starts with his birth but now he is dying and he recalls how safe he was with his mother and she is smiling through the lights(in the starlight in heavens) and will carry him home because as he is on the earth her voice is a voice that he doesn’t love more(being the first loving voice he heard and will be the one that calls him to the other side or calls him home) .... calling to the other side of the river evokes the ferryman to me .....mid lyrics he said he’s done all he can met all he can and he is ready to let go