In 1998, Paul Durham and his rock band, Black Lab, released their Geffen Records debut Your Body Above Me to critical acclaim. The album yielded the top 10 rock and alternative single "Wash it Away," and the top 40 ac and pop track "Time Ago."
Paul Durham grew up in Twin Falls, Idaho before moving to San Francisco to pursue his passion for musical invention. He recorded and toured with a group of friends under the moniker “Durham,” and made an acoustic-based singer/songwriter record with celebrated jazz producer Lee Townsend. (now available at blacklabworld.com under the title Ten Million Years: songs from the nineteen nineties).
“Durham” split, but a deal with Geffen Records followed, a new band was built, and Black Lab's debut was tagged as "one of this year's breakout records" (Billboard). Hollywood called, and the band contributed songs to the soundtracks for Can't Hardly Wait, Varsity Blues, Permanent Midnight, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. After a year of touring, Black Lab was poised to fulfill their destiny as "the American U2" (San Francisco Chronicle) when their record label was quickly shuttered. Over the next two years, Durham left his band, fired his manager and moved to LA. "In the end, all I had were my guitars and the songs I was writing." Durham wanted to control the sound around his voice, so he bought a computer and learned to use it. "I had to get back to how it was in high school -- just me and my four-track."
The resulting demos got Durham a new deal with Epic Records. "The first thing I did was buy a giant ProTools system." The only problem was, he didn't know how to install the software. On advice from a friend, Durham hired Andy Ellis to set up his studio. "So, we're sitting around waiting for the computer to reboot," remembers Durham, "And this guy picks up my guitar, without asking. I was cringing inside, afraid of what he would play. But he was great. I wanted to sing over the top of everything he played. Pretty soon, we were writing together."
At 23, Ellis was already an accomplished guitarist, keyboard player and programmer. He had been working as an assistant to some of the best engineers in the business and knew how to twiddle some serious knobs. Durham had found the missing link between what he heard in his head and what came out of the speakers. "Working with Andy is the first time collaboration has ever been easy," says Durham. "Instead of the whole hell-is-other-people thing, we have a blast just making sounds.
See the Sun has a depth and emotional range that broadens with each listen. Much of the album was mixed by Tom Lord-Alge (Live, Blink 182, Avril Lavigne). What shines brightest is the band's pop sensibility – the liquid swirl of "Remember," the epic sweep of "See the Sun," the raging loss of "Without You," and the open-armed surrender of "Lonely Boy."
“Learn to Crawl” was tapped as the fourth track on the platinum Spider-Man soundtrack. Produced by Durham and veteran mixer/producer Tom Lord-Alge, the song wraps an aggressive guitar riff around what Rolling Stone calls "Black Lab's tightly spun, highly melodic rock."
The title of "Ecstasy," a pulsing shadow that wakes to full rock glory, was inspired by Durham's experience recording: "The freedom to do what I wanted – in the studio across the hall from my bedroom – was amazing. I would get up late, go to the beach, then work until four or five in the morning. I got to record this album the same way I wrote it."
While See the Sun represents a zenith in Black Lab’s songwriting and production, the band continues to push and expand its sound into uncharted territory, contributing a vicious techno track called “This Blood” to the worldwide hit movie Blade : Trinity. Black Lab also continues to produce music for television (MTV’s Real World, “What I Like About You,” “The Days”) as well as the upcoming film Lovewrecked.
The third Black Lab album, entitled "Passion Leaves A Trace" was released on January 16th, 2007. Highlights include the majestic "Mine Again", the jet-black remorse of "This Night" (featured in the trailer for The Shield Season 6, and on the episode "Out of the Chute" of House), the hook-laden driving force that is "The Real You", and the achingly beautiful "Ghost In Your Mind".
All things Black Lab, including streaming and free downloads from the new and past albums, can be found at blacklabworld.com.
Always
Black Lab Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
just sitting watching you sleeping
the secrets you keep
go on and keep them someday you won’t need them
you always say I’m always gone
but you’re always here in my heart
hey there child, hey there star
I will always take care of you
most of the time I’m just grinding through my day
trying to head your way
and most of the time I’m just trying in my way
to keep the pain at bay
you always think I’m always gone
but you’re always here in my heart
hey there child, hey there star
I promise I’ll never be far
I will always take care of you
yes I will
I will always take care of you
yes I will
I will always ...
I will always ...
I will always ...
I will always ...
The song "Always" by Black Lab depicts a deep emotional connection between two people, where one person is watching the other while they sleep. The singer here finds peace and happiness just by sitting and watching the person they love sleeping. The secrets that the other person holds are also acknowledged, but the singer seems to extend their unconditional trust and support to them by asking them to keep it and not worry about them. The lyrics "someday you won't need them" suggests that the person will eventually learn to deal with their secrets and not be weighed down by them.
The singer also addresses the misconception regarding their absence by the other person. Though the singer is not physically present, they assure the person they love that they are always present in their heart. The phrase "most of the time I'm just grinding through my day" shows that the singer is always trying to come back to the person they love but life and its responsibilities are constantly getting in their way. The singer also acknowledges that sometimes they are only trying to keep the pain at bay, which means they might have their own problems that they try to handle on their own but are also aware of their responsibility towards their loved one.
The song is a poignant tale of unconditional love, trust, and support. Through these lyrics, we can see that the singer's love is unwavering, and they are willing to be there for the other person, even if they aren't physically around. The song depicts a deep emotional bond that is built on trust, and the singer seems dedicated to taking care of the other person throughout their life, assuring them that they will always be there to lend a helping hand.
Line by Line Meaning
It’s my favorite thing
I enjoy sitting and watching you sleep
just sitting watching you sleeping
I find comfort in observing your peaceful slumber
the secrets you keep
I am aware that there are things you do not share with me
go on and keep them someday you won’t need them
It is okay if you choose to keep your secrets, as one day they may no longer hold significance
you always say I’m always gone
You often express concern about my physical absence
but you’re always here in my heart
Despite physical distance, you hold a special place in my heart
hey there child, hey there star
I address you affectionately, as someone precious to me
I promise to never be far
I make a commitment to remain close to you
I will always take care of you
I promise to provide for you and support you
most of the time I’m just grinding through my day
I often spend my days working hard to provide for you
trying to head your way
I am making an effort to be near you
and most of the time I’m just trying in my way
I often attempt to take care of you in my own unique way
to keep the pain at bay
I try to alleviate any pain or obstacles that may cause you distress
you always think I’m always gone
You often believe that I am not present or available
I promise I’ll never be far
I vow to always be within reach and available to you
yes I will
I reaffirm my commitment to caring for you
I will always ...
I will always be there for you, no matter what
Contributed by Bailey D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.