This trio was originally composed of bassist Mitch Aliotta, drummer Ted Aliotta, and guitarist Skip Haynes. Ted left after their debut album to be replaced by pianist John Jeremiah. They scored a popular regional hit in the Chicago, Illinois area in 1971 with the single and album "Lake Shore Drive," an homage to the famed lakefront highway in Chicago and (some believe) also to LSD, a hallucinogen. "Lake Shore Drive" is featured in the 2017 movie Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.
Lake Shore Drive, the album, was re-released on compact disc in 1996 for its 25th anniversary on a 2-CD set, along with some of their other songs. The single 1992 Quicksilver "Lake Shore Drive" CD is missing 2 of the songs from the original 1971 Big Foot release: "Leaving Chicago" and "Long Time Gone" – aka "Long Time Coming".
The initials "LSD" are occasionally used in Chicago vernacular to refer to the highway (although it is sometimes referred to as the Outer Drive to distinguish it from Inner Lake Shore Drive, which extends from Ohio St. to Hollywood Av.). Outside of the Chicago area, the initials are known only as the name of the drug. Skip Haynes claims "Lake Shore Drive" has no drug references whatsoever, unlike "The Snow Queen," which references the up- and downsides of cocaine usage.
The band appeared in a 1978 made-for-TV movie, "Sparrow," playing a rock band whose lead singer is electrocuted while performing onstage.
Keyboardist John Jeremiah died December 5, 2011, in Chester, Illinois.
Mitchell A. Aliotta, of Aliotta Haynes Jeremiah and Rotary Connection, died on July 22, 2015, aged 71.[2][3]
Skip Haynes died October 5, 2017.
Snow Queen
Aliotta Haynes Jeremiah Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And a kiss that froze my lips
The snow queen made her way up from the south
She glittered and she shone
She crystallized my bones
Then she turned and froze my heart and she was gone
And then how was I to know
I was twice times two and caught between the lines
And though I should have known it all along
We weren't singing no angel songs
She almost ruined me but by God she was a time
And with a cold, bright stare
She brought me to the spell
That I don't think that I ever did mind
'Cause when she loved me all the way
There was nothing I could say
For she made the music dance and fill my mind
And then how was I to know
There was nothing there to show
I was twice times two and caught between the lines
And though I should have known it all along
We weren't singing no angel songs
She almost ruined me but by God she was a time
With a snow white smile
And a kiss that froze my lips
The snow queen made her way up from the south
She glittered and she shone
She crystallized my bones
Then she turned and froze my heart and she was gone
And then how was I to know
There was nothing there to show
I was twice times two and caught between the lines
And though I should have known it all along
We weren't singing no angel songs
She almost ruined me but by God she was a time
She almost ruined me but by God she was a time
She almost ruined me but by God she was a time
The song "Snow Queen" by Aliotta Haynes Jeremiah is a poetic description of a tumultuous relationship with a mysterious woman, the Snow Queen. The singer describes meeting her when she appears with a "snow white smile" and a "kiss that froze" his lips. She is described as glittering and shining, taking over his body and freezing his bones and heart before mysteriously disappearing. The singer then expresses confusion about the relationship, not realizing there was nothing to show for it and feeling caught between the lines. Despite this confusion, he is drawn to the Snow Queen, and when she loves him, he feels consumed by the experience, describing it as making the music dance and fill his mind.
The Snow Queen is a mythical figure from Danish folklore, and the inclusion of this character in the song suggests that the relationship being described is one of fantasy rather than reality. Through the characterization of the Snow Queen as a powerful and all-consuming figure, the song explores the idea of falling in love with something dangerous and thrilling, even though it may end in ruin.
The repeated lyric "And though I should have known it all along, we weren't singing no angel songs" further emphasizes the uncertainty and complexity of the relationship, as the singer seems to realize that it may not have been healthy or ideal, but still acknowledges the intense emotional experience of it.
Line by Line Meaning
With a snow white smile
The Snow Queen approached with a peaceful, innocent expression on her face.
And a kiss that froze my lips
The Snow Queen's kiss was so cold it numbed and immobilized his lips.
The snow queen made her way up from the south
The Snow Queen travelled from a distant, cold place to meet him.
She glittered and she shone
The Snow Queen sparkled and glowed with an otherworldly radiance.
She crystallized my bones
The Snow Queen's presence had such an icy effect that he felt his bones turn to crystal.
Then she turned and froze my heart and she was gone
The Snow Queen left just as suddenly as she appeared, taking with her his emotions and leaving him feeling frozen and hollow.
And then how was I to know
There was nothing there to show
He didn't realize that his relationship with the Snow Queen was shallow and empty until after it was over.
I was twice times two and caught between the lines
He was confused and stuck between conflicting emotions and desires.
And though I should have known it all along
We weren't singing no angel songs
He realized that their relationship was not as pure and magical as he thought it was.
She almost ruined me but by God she was a time
Despite the negative effects of their relationship, he acknowledges that he still enjoyed the experience.
With a cold, bright stare
The Snow Queen had an intense and unfeeling gaze.
She brought me to the spell
She captivated him and put him under her mystical influence.
That I don't think that I ever did mind
He didn't seem to care about the consequences of being with the Snow Queen, as he was too entranced by her magic.
For she made the music dance and fill my mind
The Snow Queen filled his thoughts and emotions with a captivating and irresistible energy.
Contributed by Cole M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.