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.
Sun And Moon
Black Lab Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm here again and I'll never let you down
Hold myself to the rising flame
I will rise again and I'll never let you down
I set myself on fire against the falling night
Set myself on fire so I could see the light
If I stand out in the open I can find my way
You are the sun, You are the moon
And I'll never let you down
You are the sun, You are the moon
And I'll never let you down
You are the sun, You are the moon
Girls get lost in the falling dark
But I hit my mark and I'll never let you down
Girls get lost but I found the road
I'm not alone and I'll never let you down.
I set myself on fire against the failing light
I set myself on fire so I could beat the night
If I stand out in the open I can find my way
I'm hoping you can stay the night into the day.
The lyrics to Black Lab's song "Sun and Moon" are about perseverance and loyalty in a relationship. The singer is sitting outside in the falling rain, reflecting on the fact that they have been in this position before and they will never let their partner down. They hold themselves accountable to a higher standard, represented by the rising flame, and will rise again to uphold their promise.
The singer then talks about setting themselves on fire against the falling and failing light, which can be interpreted as taking risks and pushing through difficult times to reach the light at the end of the tunnel. They also mention standing out in the open to find their way, representing their willingness to be vulnerable and honest in their relationship. They express their hope that their partner will stay with them through the night into the day.
The chorus repeats the phrase "You are the sun, You are the moon, and I'll never let you down" three times, emphasizing their commitment to their partner and their belief in them. The final verse acknowledges that people can get lost in the falling dark, but the singer has found the road and is not alone, promising to never let their partner down.
Overall, the song is a powerful declaration of love and loyalty, with lyrics that underscore the importance of trust, perseverance, and honesty in a relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Sat outside in the falling rain
I am currently sitting outside in the rain that is falling from the sky
I'm here again and I'll never let you down
I am here with you once more and I promise I will never disappoint you
Hold myself to the rising flame
I am holding myself accountable to the challenge or obstacle in front of me
I will rise again and I'll never let you down
I will overcome the obstacle and I promise I won't let you down
I set myself on fire against the falling night
I am facing the darkness and difficulty head-on by igniting a fire within myself
Set myself on fire so I could see the light
I am using the pain and struggle to find meaning and purpose in life
If I stand out in the open I can find my way
By being vulnerable and taking risks, I can navigate my way through life
I'm hoping you can stay the night into the day
I am wishing for your presence not just during the darkness but also through the light of day
You are the sun, You are the moon
You have significance and importance in my life like the Sun and Moon do in the universe
And I'll never let you down
And I make a promise to never disappoint you or let you down
Girls get lost in the falling dark
It's easy for others to become lost in difficult situations or struggles
But I hit my mark and I'll never let you down
But I have succeeded in overcoming the obstacles and will always be trustworthy for you
Girls get lost but I found the road
Others may lose their way but I have found direction and purpose
I'm not alone and I'll never let you down.
And I have your support so I will never let you down as well
Contributed by Jason R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@optimoblunt
im so glad you enjoy this band ...its a long time coming for music this good
@crankflippinbmx
this is a perfect song for the closure or an action movie, like when you see them walking down the street in new york and the camera pans out and the credits start coming up. i guess it could be used in the beginning too
@GrantVoegtle
This is easily one of Black Lab's best songs. Almost every song on Passion Leaves a Trace is though.
@Scarl3TTears
so good :)
@MisterMike101
10/10
@porchfyre612
This song reminds me of ZeroMancer.
@asahellevi9
Soundtrack for new Pokemon game Sun and Moon :)
@singerdude787
what are some bands like this?
@GoldNinja3
Very Black Spiderman and Emma Frost.
@Argetsword2
good artist and song they should be better known then this