Frontman Casey McPherson’s gripping, emotional songwriting dares others to search out hope in the bleakest of circumstances and the unique instrumentation pays homage to the classical music that gave him his love for the art. While McPherson’s songwriting and rock-inspired vocals form the core of Alpha Rev’s music, he is supported by a unique cast of musicians that fill Alpha Rev’s songs with as much classical beauty as American rock. In addition to the typical guitar, keyboard, bass, and drums, Alpha Rev boasts a violin and cello that add brilliantly to the band’s sound. Together, Alpha Rev offers up layered, orchestral, melody-driven masterpieces able to turn strangers to super fans in a single listen.
Home schooled in small town Texas, frontman Casey McPherson studied classical piano for 12 years and learned to play guitar left handed after figuring out it only worked when he played it upside down. The first band he started, Endochine, performed with Staind, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pete Yorn and many others. During this time, McPherson lost his father and only brother to suicide. Although Endochine was succeeding on many levels, touring took its toll, eventually leading to the band’s demise. Faced with unimaginable tragedy and the dissolution of his band of five years, Casey began to realize that his music, and his life, needed to take a turn in a more positive direction.
The result was Alpha Rev and its distinctive brand of soulful American rock, full of achingly beautiful melodies, haunting lyrics, and classical beauty. Welling up through all the rich, sonic splendor is a message of hope spun by McPherson and his penchant for perseverance. As Austin’s famous landmark club Antone’s raved on their website “witness [McPherson] in action and you know God made this man to play music.”
Face Down
Alpha Rev Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm in dire need of a way to get us off the ground
When you wanna go your own way your lips will kiss and say
You're stuck with me, there's no way out
Born to face down on the floor in high water
Torn, beaten by the storm that we're under
And we're born face down on the floor
She will be your martyr, she will be your tidal wave
She's the thorn in ever crown
Why you wanna wait in fire?
Lost at sea and tired, I will be her one way out, ooh, ooh
Born to face down on the floor in high water
Torn, beaten by the storm that we're under
And we're born face down on the floor
Face down on the floor
Born to face down on the floor in high water
Torn from your loving arms, hold me closer
And we're born face down on the floor in high water
Torn, love on every shore, no anchor
The chorus of Alpha Rev's "Face Down" carries a heavy message of feeling stuck and helpless in a situation that's drowning them. The lyrics read, "Born to face down on the floor in high water, torn, beaten by the storm that we're under, and we're born face down on the floor." The metaphorical language used in these lines serves to describe the feeling of being beaten down by circumstances and feeling powerless to change them. The next verse seems to be a plea to a loved one, possibly a partner, to stay by their side and help them weather the storm. It reads, "Tell the world I love her, I'm in dire need of a way to get us off the ground."
The song seems to deal with the heavy themes of sacrifice, martyrdom, and being pulled under by life's currents. The line "She will be your martyr, she will be your tidal wave" carries the idea that sometimes in trying to save someone or something, we can become consumed by the very thing we're trying to rescue. The chorus repeats to drive home the idea of feeling helpless in the face of life's difficulties. The final lines of the song, "Torn, love on every shore, no anchor," suggest that the singer is adrift, without any sense of grounding or support.
Alpha Rev's "Face Down" lyrics have a way of speaking to the human experience in a profound and poetic way. Despite its heavy message, the song remains beautiful, with sweeping instrumentals and stirring vocals that create a sense of longing and desperation.
Line by Line Meaning
Tell the world I love her
I want to express my love to everyone in the world
I'm in dire need of a way to get us off the ground
I need to find a way to start our relationship and take it to the next level
When you wanna go your own way your lips will kiss and say
When you decide to leave me, you will say goodbye with a kiss
You're stuck with me, there's no way out
You're in a committed relationship with me and there is no escape
Born to face down on the floor in high water
We were destined to face difficulties and hardships together
Torn, beaten by the storm that we're under
We are struggling to cope with the challenges thrown at us
She will be your martyr, she will be your tidal wave
She will go through tough times for your sake and also be the one who brings both destruction and renewal in your life
She's the thorn in every crown
She's the one who challenges you to be better in every situation, just like a thorn that pricks a crown wearer
Why you wanna wait in fire?
Why do you want to continue in a difficult situation instead of making a change?
Lost at sea and tired, I will be her one way out, ooh, ooh
When you're lost and tired, I will be the one to help you get out of the situation
Torn from your loving arms, hold me closer
Even when we are separated, remember to hold me close in your heart
And we're born face down on the floor in high water
We were born to face every challenge thrown at us
Torn, love on every shore, no anchor
Our love is torn in different directions but we have nothing to keep us grounded
Lyrics © ELITE EMBASSY
Written by: CLAUDE JAMES, DALE SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ronnocbot
10th. Why is this not in Apple Music. This brings me back to when I was in 7th grade in 2010 lol
Drax
Why did this get taken off of spotify?
Dannyreaper123
1st
milknessful l
2nd
;k,jhyuj,k;l
3rd
施仲昱
5th
R. M.
4th
Teo Peji
7th
Galbito
9th
Surreal Morty
6th