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.
To Sir with Love
10000 Maniacs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And biting nails are gone
But in my mind I know
They will still live on and on
But how do you thank someone
Who has taken you from crayons to perfume?
It isn't easy, but I'll try
If you wanted the sky
I would write across the sky in letters
That would soar a thousand feet high
To Sir, with love
The time has come for closing books
And long last looks must end
And as I leave I know
That I am leaving my best friend
A friend who taught me right from wrong
And weak from strong
That's a lot to learn, what
Can I give you in return?
If you wanted the moon
I would try to make a star
But I, would rather you let me give my heart
To Sir, with love
The lyrics of "To Sir With Love" by 10000 Maniacs is a tribute to a teacher, someone who has helped shape the person they have become today. The first verse reminisces on the childhood days where the singer would tell tales and bite their nails, activities that cease to exist. However, the memories of those moments will always live on, in the singer's mind.
The second verse is about the difficulty of thanking someone who has had such a big impact on the singer's life. The lyrics grapple with the challenge of how to express gratitude towards someone who has taken the singer from their childhood days of crayons to the sophisticated world of perfume. The singer tries to come up with a fitting gesture, making a grandiose offer to write their gratitude across the sky in letters that would soar a thousand feet high.
The final verse is a goodbye, a recognition that the time has come to close books and end long last looks. It is clear that the person they are leaving behind is not just a teacher but a great friend, someone who has taught them about right and wrong, weak and strong. Finally, the singer expresses that if their teacher wanted the moon, they would try to make a star, but they would rather give their heart to this wonderful teacher.
Line by Line Meaning
Those school girl days of telling tales
And biting nails are gone
But in my mind I know
They will still live on and on
The singer reminisces about her school days and how she used to tell stories and be nervous. She acknowledges that those days are over, but they will always be imprinted in her memory.
But how do you thank someone
Who has taken you from crayons to perfume?
It isn't easy, but I'll try
The singer acknowledges the difficulty in expressing gratitude towards someone who has helped her grow from a child to an adult. Despite this, she will attempt to show her appreciation.
If you wanted the sky
I would write across the sky in letters
That would soar a thousand feet high
To Sir, with love
The singer expresses her willingness to give anything to show her appreciation. She would even write a message across the sky for him.
The time has come for closing books
And long last looks must end
And as I leave I know
That I am leaving my best friend
The artist acknowledges that it's time to move on from her current stage of life. She feels sad that she has to say goodbye to her mentor who has become a close friend.
A friend who taught me right from wrong
And weak from strong
That's a lot to learn, what
Can I give you in return?
The artist lists the valuable lessons she has learned from her mentor. She concludes that it's hard to repay him for all that he has given her.
If you wanted the moon
I would try to make a star
But I, would rather you let me give my heart
To Sir, with love
The singer emphasizes her willingness to do anything for her mentor. However, she wants to offer him something more personal and genuine, which is her heart.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DON BLACK, MARK LONDON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tony White Music
Thank you for posting this. I arranged this and I am the Sax player in the middle. This was a GREAT night for us all.
Matt Goldberg
Well done, sir!!
Tony White Music
@Matt Goldberg thanks much!)
Matt Goldberg
@Tony White Music I just subscribed to your channel, and look forward to hearing more!
Tony White Music
@Matt Goldberg I appreciate the follow! Hope you enjoy my music Matt) thank you!
Matt Goldberg
@Tony White Music Absolutely. You are very talented. This song is a celebration. Merchant and Stipe are amazing, and your solo took it to another level still. It's only bittersweet as we mourn the loss of Sidney Poitier. But what a tribute in its own way. Thank you for a brilliant arrangement and performance, Tony.
curtis Jimison
Rest in peace Sidney Poitier a beautiful soul who's existence made this world a much better place.
Judi Goldberg
Perfect duo for one of the most beautiful songs ever. They did it justice.
Stephen
I miss the 90's. WHAT A DECADE for music!!! And two of the best male and female vocalists EVER!!
Tim Winslow
Please God, bring back this kind of music.