Black Lab is a rock band which formed in 1995 in Berkeley, California, Unit… Read Full Bio ↴Black Lab is a rock band which formed in 1995 in Berkeley, California, United States. The band is lead by Paul Durham (vocals, guitar), who has been the only constant member of the band. The only other official member is Andy Ellis (keyboards, guitar), who has been in the band since 2000.

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.

See The Sun
Black Lab Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

If I feel this feeling
If I let myself go deep again
Will you stay by my side, yeah
'Cause if I feel this feeling
Things will never be the same again
If planets collide I won't mind
I'll be fine

[Chorus:]
I can't see the sun anymore
I can't feel the ground anymore
I can't see the sun anymore
I don't mind
I'm by your side
And I feel fine

Are you my revelation?
Are you the answer to my question?
Or have I wasted my time, yeah
'cause if I feel this feeling
Will you crawl out of your perfect skin
And climb into mine
Will you shine
Will you be my light

[Chorus]

Hey Michelle
You're to young to be alone
Hey Michelle
Is your heart still made of stone?
Hey babe,
Come and take me home
Hey Babe
I'm calling
Hear me calling

[Chorus]

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Black Lab's song See The Sun convey themes of feeling lost and seeking comfort in someone else. The first verse starts with the singer questioning himself whether he should allow himself to feel emotions deeply again. He then pleads to the other person, asking if they would still stay by his side even if things change between them. The chorus reiterates that the singer can no longer see the sun or feel the ground beneath him, but he doesn't mind because he's with the person he loves.

The next verse is directed towards the other person where the singer asks if they are the revelation he's been seeking, or if he's been wasting his time. He then asks if this person is willing to cross the line and be with him through thick and thin. The chorus repeats itself, indicating that the uncertainty and confusion still exist but being with the person he loves make everything fine.

The closing section of the song appears to be a plea to a woman named Michelle, asking if she's doing okay and to come home. This section mixes the themes of heartbreak and desire, creating a compelling conclusion to the song.

Line by Line Meaning

If I feel this feeling
The singer is acknowledging the possibility of feeling a certain emotion

If I let myself go deep again
The singer is aware of the existence of certain feelings that they may have suppressed in the past and may let themselves experience them again.

Will you stay by my side, yeah
The singer seeks our assurance from their companion that they will stay with them if they express these deep feelings.

'Cause if I feel this feeling
The repetition is used to express a continuation of their thought.

Things will never be the same again
The artist is aware of the impact that these specific emotions may have on their relationship

If planets collide I won't mind, I'll be fine
The singer is emphasizing the depth of their feelings by stating that even cosmic disturbances wouldn't disturb them. It can imply that their partner gives them a sense of calm and comfort.

I can't see the sun anymore
The singer is experiencing a sense of emotional loss which is creating a cloudy and bleak reality

I can't feel the ground anymore
The artist is losing their sense of stability and feels adrift, aimlessly wandering with no anchor.

I can't see the sun anymore
The repetition supports the previous emerging sentiments of the lyric - the loss of hope.

I don't mind
The singer is emphasising that the emotional bond between him/her and his/her partner is crucial to his happiness, regardless of the circumstances.

I'm by your side
The singer is implying that their partner's constant companionship is a source of comfort and stability.

And I feel fine
The artist indicates a sense of contentment that arises from their partner's closeness.

Are you my revelation?
The singer is asking their partner if they have stumbled upon something significant.

Are you the answer to my question?
The singer is reinforcing the above statement and seeking clarity whether their partner holds the key to their happiness.

Or have I wasted my time, yeah
The singer is imparting doubt in their relationship, wondering if it was time well spent.

'cause if I feel this feeling
The reiteration serves to establish continuity of the thought

Will you crawl out of your perfect skin
The artist is asking their partner that upon revealing their overwhelming emotions, whether the latter will briefly exchange their current position for their lovers.

And climb into mine
The lyrical sentence indicating the empathetic feeling of the singer and asking their lover to feel and understand their situation.

Will you shine
The singer is indicating their expectation of their partner being the light in their darkness and their guide.

Will you be my light
The singer is restating the above sentiment and asking their partner to assist them through the tough times.

Hey Michelle
The singer is calling out a name - presumably their partner's - to get their attention.

You're too young to be alone
The artist is acknowledging the idea that their partner may need companionship similarly to the one they are providing.

Hey Michelle
The singer reiterates the attention-seeking call.

Is your heart still made of stone?
The artist is assessing the emotional depths of Michelle and whether they too are in a state of loneliness.

Hey babe,
The singer shifts their address to their partner, looking for an intimate moment of connection.

Come and take me home
The singer is expressing how they feel in the company of their lover and wishes to remain there, feeling safe and protected.

Hey Babe
The repetition makes the call to their partner, reinforcing the previous sentiment.

I'm calling
The singer is providing a sense of urgency to their call to their partner to take action.

Hear me calling
The return of the earlier sentiment, urging their partner to take heed of the calling.

[Chorus]
The repetition summarises the emotional turmoil of the singer, emphasising the sombre and shadowy emotional state brought upon by the desire to be with their partner.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: PAUL DURHAM

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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