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.

This Ship Goes Down Deep
Black Lab Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I can't believe when you walk right in. I can't believe that your temperature's minus. I still need you to talk me down. I can't believe that you'd suffer in silence. is it all just a lie that we all still believe in? if you tell me your lie then I'll know your name. cause I have no shame I have no sadness I feel no blame I stumble forward. this ship goes down deep and I know no way of leaving. you won't believe what you can't accept. you can't accept what is right before you. I still need you to hold me down. you make a joke but it couldn't be more true. is it all just a lie that no one believes in? if I tell you a lie will you say my name? I'll find a way to live without you I know it cuts too close to the bone. how can you live without me if I won't go? I'll find a way to live without you I know it cuts too close to the bone. find a way to live without me and I'll come home.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Black Lab's "This Ship Goes Down Deep" speak of the complex emotions that arise when a relationship is falling apart. The singer seems to be struggling with the idea of letting go of their significant other, even though they know that the relationship is doomed. They are trying to hold on to something that they know is not right, and their partner is also suffering in silence.

The lyrics suggest that the singer and their partner may be lying to themselves and each other about their true feelings. The line "is it all just a lie that we all still believe in?" indicates that both parties may be living in denial, pretending that everything is okay when in reality, it's not. The singer seems to be holding on to this lie despite the knowledge that it's hurting them, as evidenced by the line "I'll find a way to live without you I know it cuts too close to the bone. how can you live without me if I won't go?"

Throughout the song, the singer expresses a sense of helplessness, as if they are on a sinking ship with no control over the situation. The line "this ship goes down deep and I know no way of leaving" paints a picture of being trapped in a doomed situation with no clear escape. Despite this, the singer seems to be determined to find a way to live without their partner, even if it hurts.

Overall, the lyrics to "This Ship Goes Down Deep" explore the difficult and complicated emotions that arise when a relationship is falling apart. The singer is struggling with conflicting feelings of love, loss, and the fear of being alone, all while coming to terms with the fact that the relationship is doomed.

Line by Line Meaning

I can't believe when you walk right in.
I am shocked when you suddenly enter my life or space.

I can't believe that your temperature's minus.
I am amazed that you are so cold and detached emotionally.

I still need you to talk me down.
I still require your support and counsel to calm me down and steady my emotions.

I can't believe that you'd suffer in silence.
I can't fathom that you are going through a difficult time alone without sharing your pain or seeking help.

Is it all just a lie that we all still believe in?
Do we exist in a world of falsehoods that we blindly accept as true?

If you tell me your lie then I'll know your name.
If you reveal your deceit, then I'll be able to see your true identity and intentions.

Cause I have no shame, I have no sadness, I feel no blame, I stumble forward.
I lack regret, guilt, or sorrow for my past actions, and continue moving ahead despite setbacks and difficulties.

This ship goes down deep and I know no way of leaving.
I am trapped in a deep and inescapable situation that threatens to sink me along with it.

You won't believe what you can't accept.
You will never be able to acknowledge or comprehend what you refuse to understand or acknowledge.

You can't accept what is right before you.
You are incapable of recognizing or acknowledging the obvious truth before your eyes.

I still need you to hold me down.
I still require your presence and support to anchor me and keep me grounded.

You make a joke but it couldn't be more true.
You use humor to avoid confronting a painful or uncomfortable reality, but the underlying truth remains undeniable.

Is it all just a lie that no one believes in?
Is the world full of hollow promises and false claims that no one trusts or subscribes to?

If I tell you a lie will you say my name?
If I am dishonest with you, will you still hold me accountable and recognize my culpability?

I'll find a way to live without you, I know it cuts too close to the bone.
I am determined to move on and survive without you, even though it pains me deeply and threatens my emotional well-being.

How can you live without me if I won't go?
How can you carry on and find happiness if I refuse to leave or let go?

Find a way to live without me and I'll come home.
If you can find happiness and live your life without me, I will return to you and join you in your journey.

Contributed by Owen K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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