10,000 Maniacs have gone through a variety of musicians throughout the history of the band. Here is a partial list of the past, present, and touring musicians:
Jerry Augustyniak - Jerry has been the drummer of 10,000 Maniacs since 1983. He's also played with the bands The Stains, Only Humen, League of Blind Women, The Michael Lee Jackson Band, Buffalo Rising, The Damn Straights, etc. He has been the band's main backing vocalist since 1994.
Rob Buck - Rob was the lead guitar player from 1981 to 1999. He co-wrote many of the band's most popular songs. Rob died December 19, 2000 of liver failure at the age of 42.
Duane Calhoun - Duane played lead guitar for 10,000 Maniacs in 1981 while Rob Buck was officially in the band, but not performing with them.
Chet Cardinale - Chet was an early drummer for the band. He left to pursue a career in acupuncture.
Jim Colavito - Jim played saxophone with the band in 1981.
Dennis Drew - Dennis has been the keyboard player in the band since 1981. He's also played with The Mighty Wallop!, where he co-wrote much of the band's material, played keyboards, and had lead and harmony vocal duties.
Jeff Erickson - Jeff took over lead guitar after his friend and guitar teacher Rob Buck died, beginning by playing a short set during the band's only 2001 appearance. The first time he played with the band was December 12, 1998 on the song "These Are Days", while Buck was away from the band. Jeff was a lead singer/guitar player in the short-lived band The Mighty Wallop!.
Tim Edborg - Tim played drums with 10,000 Maniacs in 1981.
Morgan Fichter - Morgan was a touring musician with the band in 1992-1993, playing violin and singing backing vocals. She's also played with Camper Van Beethoven and Phish among others.
Jim Foti - Jim was the studio drummer for the band's 1982 EP Human Conflict Number Five.
Steve Gustafson - Steve has been the band's bass player since 1981. He has also been one of the band's backing vocalists in their live performances since 1994. He was also the bass player in The Mighty Wallop!.
Debbie Heverly - Debbie played piano with the band in 1981.
Michael Lee Jackson - Michael replaced Rob Buck as the touring lead guitar player on December 11, 1998 and stayed in that spot until the summer of 1999, when Buck returned. Michael has played in Animal Planet and The Michael Lee Jackson Band.
Amanda Kramer - Amanda was a touring musician with 10,000 Maniacs in 1992 and 1993 as a second keyboard player, also lending her harmony vocals to some of the songs. Occasionally, she'd back Rob up on guitar, picking up an acoustic on several songs. She was formerly the Keyboardist for the 80's New Wave band Information Society
John Lombardo - John, the band's rhythm guitar player and occasional odd vocalist, co-wrote most of the early Maniacs songs, but left the band in 1986, right before the band "made it big." He returned in 1994 with his duo partner Mary Ramsey, and picked up right where he left off by writing and shaping the band's music. He left the band again in 2002 after the first rehearsal before the "hits" tour.
Natalie Merchant - Natalie was the voice of 10,000 Maniacs from 1981 until she decided to embark on a solo career in 1993. In her later years with the band, she played piano as well.
Terry Newhouse - Born February 19, 1957 in Corry, Pennsylvania, Terry was a keyboard player and vocalist in the band "Still Life", which was the band's name before they began calling themselves "10,000 Maniacs." At one time, she was married to Rob Buck. Newhouse died June 8, 2005 at WCA Hospital in Jamestown, New York at the age of 48.
Mary Ramsey - Mary opened up shows with John Lombardo as John & Mary in 1990 and would play viola and sing backing vocals with the band on a few songs in 1990-1991. She a touring musician with the band in 1992-1993, playing viola and singing backing vocals. When Natalie Merchant left the band in 1993, Mary replaced her on lead vocals and added the viola as a main instrument of the band, starting with live shows in 1994 and continuing on until 2001. Oskar Saville replaced her as lead singer in 2002, but Mary agreed to become a touring musician with the band in 2006, singing backing vocals and playing viola on select songs. Mary agreed to be the lead singer for the band again for their final show of 2007 after Oskar Saville left the band.
Oskar Saville - Oskar took over lead vocals from Mary Ramsey in 2002. She occasionally plays acoustic guitar during live performances. May 8, 2003 was her first live performance with the band. During the song "Stockton Gala Days", she pulled the band's webmaster (at the time) Adam Zeitz on stage to share lead vocals. Oskar was the former lead singer of Rubygrass and also has a solo career. She left the band in late Summer, 2007 and was replaced by the woman she replaced, Mary Ramsey.
I Hope That I Don't Fall in Love With You
10000 Maniacs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'Cause falling in love just makes me blue
Well the music plays and you display your heart for me to see
I had a beer and now I hear you calling out for me
And I hope that I don't fall in love with you
Well the room is crowded, there's people everywhere
And I wonder, should I offer you a chair?
Before the evening's gone away, I think that we could make it
And I hope that I don't fall in love with you
I can see that you are lonesome just like me, and it being late
You'd like some some company
Well I've had two, I look at you, and you look back at me
The guy you're with has up and split, the chair next to you's free
And I hope that you don't fall in love with me
And I hope that you don't fall in love with me
Now it's closing time, the music's fading out
Last call for drinks, I'll have another stout
Turn around to look at you, you're nowhere to be found
I search the place for your lost face, guess I'll have another round
And I think that I just fell in love with you
The lyrics to "I Hope That I Don't Fall in Love With You" by 10000 Maniacs paint a picture of a man who is trying to resist the temptation of falling in love with a woman he meets in a bar. The song is less about the actual fear of falling in love, but more about the fear of the vulnerability that comes with it. The singer acknowledges the possibility of love, but ultimately decides that it is not worth the risk of being hurt in the end.
The song begins with the singer stating his hope that he does not fall in love with the woman, as it often leads to heartbreak. He notes that the music is playing and she is opening up her heart to him, but he is hesitant to reciprocate. The second verse speaks to the singer's recognition of how the woman is feeling - lonely, and in need of companionship. He considers offering her a chair, but is unsure if he should make a move or not. The final verse finds the singer realizing that the woman has left and he has fallen for her regardless of his initial resistance.
The song is a reflection on how guarded we can be with our emotions, even when we desire human connection. It takes us on a journey from cautiousness to vulnerability, ultimately leading to the singer's realization that it is almost impossible to control who he falls in love with.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I hope that I don't fall in love with you
The singer hopes to not develop romantic feelings for the person they are addressing.
'Cause falling in love just makes me blue
The singer has had negative experiences with love in the past and is wary of it.
Well the music plays and you display your heart for me to see
The other person is making their feelings apparent through their actions and body language.
I had a beer and now I hear you calling out for me
The singer has had some alcohol and perceives the other person as expressing interest in them.
And I hope that I don't fall in love with you
The singer reiterates their desire to not become romantically involved with the other person.
Well the room is crowded, there's people everywhere
The setting of the song is a crowded room or bar.
And I wonder, should I offer you a chair?
The singer is considering whether or not to make a gesture of hospitality towards the other person.
Well if you sit down with this old clown, take that frown and break it
The singer is offering to entertain the other person and make them happy if they choose to sit with them.
Before the evening's gone away, I think that we could make it
The singer thinks that they and the other person could have a good time together before the night ends.
And I hope that I don't fall in love with you
The singer repeats their desire to avoid falling in love with the other person.
I can see that you are lonesome just like me, and it being late
The singer observes that the other person seems to be feeling lonely and it is getting late in the night.
You'd like some some company
The singer surmises that the other person would welcome some companionship.
Well I've had two, I look at you, and you look back at me
The singer has had two drinks and shares a moment of eye contact with the other person.
The guy you're with has up and split, the chair next to you's free
The other person's previous companion has left, leaving an open chair beside them.
And I hope that you don't fall in love with me
The singer expresses concern about the other person developing romantic feelings for them.
And I hope that you don't fall in love with me
This line is repeated for emphasis on the singer's desire to avoid romantic involvement with the other person.
Now it's closing time, the music's fading out
The night is coming to a close and the atmosphere is winding down.
Last call for drinks, I'll have another stout
The singer orders another drink before the bar closes.
Turn around to look at you, you're nowhere to be found
The other person is no longer in the singer's line of sight.
I search the place for your lost face, guess I'll have another round
The singer looks for the other person in the crowd and decides to have another drink.
And I think that I just fell in love with you
Despite their earlier reservations, the singer realizes that they have developed romantic feelings for the other person.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: THOMAS ALAN WAITS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@drdavidtodd2034
The song is beautiful and sad at the same time, made more so by Natalie Merchant’s uniquely wonderful distinctive whimsy, I’m seeing her swirling dance, addressing an entrances audience in tears. Brilliant. Brilliant.
@wilfredwiggins3403
Superb.
@wambui37
just beautiful, great cover version, i like it so much!!
@sartainja
Great cover. NM is point on.
@landonmassey1454
Wonderful song... Great cover!
@hectoresclvsa5907
Thanks for this.
@TheFirstCreature
Eu Espero Não Me Apaixonar Por Você Eu espero não me apaixonar por você Porque me apaixonar só me deixa triste Bem, a música toca e você me mostra o seu coração Eu tomo uma cerveja e agora eu ouço você me chamando E eu espero não me apaixonar por você
@TheFirstCreature
Eu posso ver que você é solitária como eu, e está ficando tarde, Você gostaria de uma companhia?, Bem, eu me viro para olhar pra você, e você me olha de volta, O cara que está com você tem altos e baixos, a cadeira do seu lado está vazia, E eu espero que você não se apaixone por mim.
@TheFirstCreature
Eu espero não me apaixonar por você Porque me apaixonar só me deixa triste, Bem, a música toca e você me mostra o seu coração, Eu tomo uma cerveja e agora eu ouço você me chamando E eu espero não me apaixonar por você Bem, a sala está lotada, pessoas em todos os cantos E eu me pergunto, devo oferecer-lhe uma cadeira? Bem, se você sentar-se com este velho palhaço, desamarre a cara, Antes da noite acabar, eu acho que a gente poderia fazer isso, E eu espero não me apaixonar por você.
@TheFirstCreature
Bem, a noite faz coisas engraçadas dentro de um homem Esse velho Tom tem sentimentos que você não entende, Bem, eu me viro para olhar pra você, você acende um cigarro, Eu queria ter coragem de pedir um, mas nós nunca nos conhecemos, E eu espero não me apaixonar por você.