Bronze Radio Return is an American indie/roots rock quintet from Hartford, … Read Full Bio ↴Bronze Radio Return is an American indie/roots rock quintet from Hartford, Connecticut. The band was formed by singer/songwriter/guitarist Chris Henderson after he attended the Hartt School of Music. Fellow Hartt School Alumni Rob Griffith (drums), Bob Tanen (bass) and Matt Warner (organ/keyboards/samples) help complete the line-up with Patrick (Packy) Fetkowitz (Lead Guitar). The name Bronze Radio Return was inspired by an old radio Henderson grew up listening to in his father's art studio in Maine.

“I just fell in love with a forty-five (rpm record) been kept alive in a box over 30 years old,” sings Chris Henderson, the front man of the Hartford, CT, band BRONZE RADIO RETURN. This lyric, from their full-length debut album, OLD TIME SPEAKER, begins to paint the picture that enables your understanding of the group and their music. Like listening to old Bluesmen on your iPod Touch, BRONZE RADIO RETURN is about the juxtaposition of the old and the new. The love for these old records is a mutual feeling shared by the band members, who attribute their sound to the music that came long before their childhoods.

The serious nature of the band members’ musicianship led them to study their craft for their higher education. They met playing throughout CT and NY in various permutations through mutual friends. The way they modernize this traditional American style of music is what makes them truly unique. “We each offer a different spin on the music we play,” offers Henderson, who professes great appreciation for Ben Harper and Muddy Waters. “That’s really how we found our unique sound. Everyone has a voice and adds to it.” Bandmates Struble and Griffith cite Stevie Wonder, while Tanen is moved by the modern-day Stone Temple Pilots’ tight bass groove. CCR and Stevie Ray Vaughn light Fetkowitz’s fire, and Warner rounds it out with a push from Tom Petty.

Producer, Doug Derryberry (Bruce Hornsby, Ben Folds Five) discovered BRONZE RADIO RETURN's considerable talents at a NYC show and produced their first EP. More recently, the Northeastern band’s collaboration with Midwestern producer/multi-instrumentalist Chad Copelin brought them to a Southern studio and resulted in the creation of a ten-song album. OLD TIME SPEAKER has brought the band's sound to a whole new place, and the band has made it their mission to experience as much of this country as possible, hitting the road for incredibly long stretches to share their music with as many as possible.

Myspace Records brought BRONZE RADIO RETURN into their stable of 'Friends and Family' – the best unsigned bands on the popular portal. Exemplified by tracks like “Pullin’ on the Reins,” “Strawberry Hill,” and “Wolves,” OLD TIME SPEAKER has what it takes to please lovers of all kinds of Rock & Roll.

Henderson concludes, “Ultimately, we want to make people move when they hear our music.” With their non-stop touring, get ready for BRONZE RADIO RETURN to ‘move’ into your town soon!

Mister Mister
Bronze Radio Return Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Hey mister, mister, you can have my day but you better leave my nights alone. I'm leaving in the evening, then I'll be goin home. Hey mister, mister you can have me pay but I'm never yours to own.
Only I, it's the night when I want it and only I, so leave my night alone.
I put a face on to wear through the day. It's a heavy uniform hanging on me, but here I am to do what I have to. Noddin my head, hummin the drum, going through the motion. Moving, carry on until the sundown calls the time that I'll be gone.
Only I, it's the night when I want it and only I gotta let it go. Only I, it's the time and I want it. Only I, alone.
Hey mister, mister, you can have my day but you better leave my nights alone. I'm leaving in the evening, then I'll be goin home. Hey mister, mister you can have me pay but I'm never yours to own. I'll give you every day but the nights are just one.
You can tell me what to say, tell me what to do, throw me any way that you want to. She won't ever make me work the night through. Cause I've got places to go, people to see. Got my mind set on the sunset to separate me from this grindstone, carving out my way back home.
Only I, only I, only I, in the night is when I want it. Only I, only I, so leave my night alone.
Hey mister, mister, you can have my day but you better leave my nights alone. I'm leaving in the evening, then I'll be goin home. Hey mister, mister you can have me pay but I'm never yours to own. I'll give you every day but the nights are just one.

You can tie me up for a moment and I'll earn what I owe. You can't tie me up, you better let me go.

Hey mister, mister, you can have my day but you better leave my nights alone. Hey mister, mister you can have me pay but I'm never yours to own.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Bronze Radio Return's "Mister Mister" convey the theme of personal autonomy and the desire to draw a clear distinction between professional obligations and personal pursuits. The singer addresses an authoritative figure, perhaps a boss or someone with control over their schedule, and declares that while they may be obligated to attend to various responsibilities during the day, their nights are their own. They do not want any interference or control from this mister over their personal time. The singer is committed to going through the motions of their daily routine, wearing a "heavy uniform" and doing what needs to be done until the evening when they can leave and return home.

The repeated refrain of "only I, it's the night when I want it" emphasizes the importance of personal freedom and the need for space to pursue one's own interests and desires. The singer affirms that they are willing to fulfill their obligations during the day and pay their dues, but they will not give up control of their nights. The lyrics suggest defiance against anyone who would try to take away their autonomy or impose their will on them. Overall, the song presents a message of self-determination and standing up for one's own desires and needs.

Line by Line Meaning

Hey mister, mister, you can have my day but you better leave my nights alone.
You can control my daytime activities, but do not interfere with my nighttime, as it is private and mine alone.

I'm leaving in the evening, then I'll be goin home.
I will leave at dusk and go back to my own life after being under someone's supervision all day.

Hey mister, mister you can have me pay but I'm never yours to own.
You can use my services and pay me, but I will never belong to you or be owned by you.

Only I, it's the night when I want it and only I, so leave my night alone.
The nighttime is the one time I truly have control and ownership, so please do not disturb it.

I put a face on to wear through the day.
I wear a mask to hide my true self during the day when I am under someone's control or meeting their expectations.

It's a heavy uniform hanging on me, but here I am to do what I have to.
I feel burdened and constrained by the expectations placed on me during the day, but I am willing to do what I must to get through it.

Noddin my head, hummin the drum, going through the motion.
I am just going through the motions and trying to get by without causing any trouble or drawing any attention to myself.

Moving, carry on until the sundown calls the time that I'll be gone.
I will keep moving and working until the end of the day, when I can finally leave and have some time to myself.

I'll give you every day but the nights are just one.
I am willing to sacrifice my daytime to someone else, but my nighttime is sacred and I will not give it away.

You can tell me what to say, tell me what to do, throw me any way that you want to.
During the day, I am under someone's control and will do whatever they ask of me without any objection or resistance.

She won't ever make me work the night through.
No one can force me to work during my nighttime, as it is my own time to do as I please.

Cause I've got places to go, people to see.
During my free time, I have my own plans and people I want to spend time with, so I cannot be controlled or owned by someone else.

Got my mind set on the sunset to separate me from this grindstone, carving out my way back home.
I am focused on the end of the day and using that time to break free from the monotony of the day and finally make my way back home.

You can tie me up for a moment and I'll earn what I owe. You can't tie me up, you better let me go.
I may be under someone's control temporarily, but ultimately I am my own person and cannot be owned or constrained beyond what I am willing to give.

Contributed by Charlotte L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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