In addition, Belew is well-regarded for his contributions, particularly on guitar, to various other artists' recordings. In 1977, he performed with Frank Zappa, appearing in Zappa's 1979 concert film Baby Snakes, as well as Zappa's controversial album Sheik Yerbouti. He also supported David Bowie on his "Heroes" tour that was released as "Stage". He also played on the 1990 Sound + Vision tour. On both tours he was musical director, playing guitar and singing backing vocals.
Belew's other session credits include the 1980 album Remain in Light by the Talking Heads, Lights Out by Peter Wolf, and Paul Simon's landmark 1986 album Graceland. He worked with Laurie Anderson during the mid-1980s, appearing in her concert film Home of the Brave. During the 1990s, he contributed to three Nine Inch Nails albums, The Downward Spiral, The Fragile, and Ghosts. He played synthesized guitar on the song "God Shuffled His Feet" by Crash Test Dummies in 1993.
In the late-1980s, Belew formed the pop band The Bears with ex-Raisins members and released two albums, The Bears and Rise and Shine. A third album, Car Caught Fire, followed in 2001.
He features prominently on Tori Amos's 2001 cover album, "Strange Little Girls". He also contributed his lead guitar stylings to Porcupine Tree's album Deadwing (2005) as well as to a track ("I Can't Get Behind That", also featuring Henry Rollins) on the 2004 Ben Folds-produced William Shatner album Has Been.
I Wish I Knew
Adrian Belew Lyrics
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Adrian Belew's "I Wish I Knew" is a poignant and introspective song about the struggle to understand and make sense of life's experiences. The lyrics speak of the desire to find answers to the great mysteries of existence, but also of the fear and uncertainty that comes with that search. There is a sense of longing and regret in the words, as the singer laments missed opportunities and wonders what might have been different if they had only known more.
The opening lines immediately set the contemplative tone of the song: "I Wish I Knew / what I was looking for / I Wish I Knew / what I was hoping for". The repetition of this phrase emphasizes the singer's confusion and uncertainty, but also suggests a hopefulness and determination to find answers. The second verse deepens this sense of longing, as the singer imagines what it might have been like to have a clearer understanding of life earlier on: "I Wish I Knew / when I was young and bold / I Wish I Knew / what I was getting into". The song continues in this vein, painting a picture of a life marked by searching, questioning, and yearning.
Overall, "I Wish I Knew" is a beautifully introspective and personal song, one that invites the listener to reflect on their own journey and the meaning they find in it. With its quiet yet powerful melody and honest, heartfelt lyrics, it is a testament to the enduring human desire for understanding and connection.
Line by Line Meaning
I wish I knew what happens when we die
I yearn to grasp the understanding of what transpires after we cease to exist.
If I thought it was like this I'd have no fear inside
If I believed that death resembled this world, then I would not have any qualms about it.
What if I'm not as far as I think I am
Perhaps I am not as distanced from the truth as I assume.
What if I'm not a ghost, but a man
Possibly, I am not just a phantasma, but a human being as well.
Am I alive somewhere
Is there a place where I exist in a vivacious state?
Do I spend all of my time living everywhere
Do I allocate all of my time existing in every place?
I wish I knew what goes on inside my head
I desire to know what transpires in my mind.
Why do I do the things I do, what's been left unsaid
What is the rationale for my actions, what words have been unspoken?
What if it's not as dark as I think it is
Perhaps, the situation is not as hopeless as I am perceiving it.
What if it's worse than I know it is
Conversely, the situation might be worse than I am cognizant of.
I wish I knew
Contributed by Savannah N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.