Bumblefoot (aka Ron Thal) is a recording artist with over twenty years of a… Read Full Bio ↴Bumblefoot (aka Ron Thal) is a recording artist with over twenty years of albums and releases. Fronting his solo band as lead singer/guitarist, the music is hard rock, bordering on quirky and experimental. Known for his down-to-Earth obnoxious punky attitude, mixed with off-center abstract intellectuality, and a sense that he's just being himself with you - whether playing lead guitar onstage with Guns N' Roses in front of 100,000 people headlining a European festival, or in a one-on-one conversation.

Since the early 90's Ron has released over 200 songs through solo CDs and DVDs, and digital releases. He's had numerous appearances on compilation CDs and as a guest performer for other artists, appeared on magazine covers, and as a soloist toured internationally headlining venues and guitar festivals. In 2008 Ron released the "Abnormal" album, described as "Sex Pistols meets Queen, with innovative guitar and a quirky Zappa-esque twist..." In 2011 he released a song a month that included transcriptions, alternate mixes and recording stems, as an innovative way to release singles.

As a child, Ron would play Bach pieces with his feet. Today, his guitar-work can be heard on Guns N' Roses' Chinese Democracy album, the theme of VH1's "That Metal Show", the Latin acoustic guitar on Jessica Simpson's "Irresistible" dance mix, and CNN-Turkey station IDs to name a few. Live, he's just as diverse, whether touring the world with GNR or at local fundraisers (notably performing with Nancy Sinatra, Cyndi Lauper, composer Fahir Atakoglu, and jazz legend Allen Toussaint.)

A record producer and songwriter for artists and publishing companies often working out of his own studio in Princeton NJ, Ron has written theme songs and background music for shows that include So You Think You Can Dance, Oprah Winfrey, Tom Brokaw, Anthony Bourdan, MTV, VH1, MuchMusic, FuseTV, CW, SpikeTV, Oxygen, E!, A&E, ESPN, UFC, WWE, NFL, MLB, NBC, PBS, and SEGA, SSI and Atari videogames.

Ron is a Professor at SUNY Purchase College teaching music production, does guitar clinics around the world, and writes articles for music magazines. He is a volunteer for many charities such as Musicians On Call visiting sick children in hospitals and the MS Research Foundation, a non-profit organization that donates funds directly to Multiple Sclerosis research.

Overloaded
Bumblefoot Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Sometimes I'm feeling like there-
There's something in the air
That kicks us up into a fight
Why do we go there?

Is it biology?
Or fucked up chemistry?
The whole world seems to be caught

In its own misery

Or is it that I only
See reflections of me?
And that I think there's nothing
Beyond my line of trees?

I think it's time to let it go
Yeah, I know
Cause it's too short, this thing called life
Mmm, but I need you in mine

I'm spilling over
With so much love
For the whole world to take
That it blows my mind

Yeah, I'm overloaded
I'm overflowin'
It feels like my soul is pourin' out my eyes

Woah-woah-woah...
Mmm, yeah

Take and take as much as you can, it's all that's left of me
Uh-huh
Yeah

I fly under the radar
Just skimming the line
Between never and forever
Between Earth and sky

But when I think about it
It washes over me
And pulls me to the dividing line
That's where I sink

Down to the ocean floor
Still sad from the last tour
When there were devils amongst
Still I come back for more

I think it's time to let it go
Yeah, I know
Cause it's too short, this thing called life
Hmm, but I need you in mine

Cause I'm spilling over
With so much love
For the whole world to take
That it blows my mind

Yeah I'm overloaded
I'm overflowin'
It feels like my soul is pourin' out my eyes

Woah-woah-woah...
Mmm, yeah

Take and take as much as you can, it's all that's left of me

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Overloaded" by Bumblefoot explore the overwhelming feeling of love, both for oneself and for the world around us. The opening lines suggest a feeling of unease and tension, as if something is stirring in the air that is causing conflict. The lyrics pose the question of whether these conflicts arise from our biology or chemistry, indicating that perhaps these are innate aspects of human nature that drive us towards conflict and misery.

The pre-chorus suggests an alternative perspective, that perhaps our own perception and biases color the way we view the world. The chorus then states that it is time to let go of these negative feelings and embrace the brevity of life. Despite this desire to let go, the singer admits that they need those they love in their life.

The second verse takes a more philosophical turn, discussing the idea of skimming the line between different states of being, such as never and forever, or Earth and sky. The verse suggests that when we think about these things, we are pulled towards a dividing line, which is where the singer feels overwhelmed and sinks, perhaps suggesting feelings of depression or anxiety.

The final chorus reiterates the overwhelming feeling of love, but with the added line "take and take as much as you can, it's all that's left of me." This may suggest a feeling of emptiness or exhaustion, as if the singer has poured so much of themselves into the world that they feel depleted. Overall, the lyrics of "Overloaded" suggest a complex interplay between love and conflict, and the emotional toll that can result from trying to navigate these opposing forces.

Line by Line Meaning

Sometimes I'm feeling like there-
At times I experience a feeling...

There's something in the air
...that makes it seem like changes are coming...

That kicks us up into a fight
...and this leads to conflict and struggle.

Why do we go there?
I wonder why humans tend to act that way...

Is it biology?
...is it due to our genetic makeup?

Or fucked up chemistry?
...or could it be the result of our messed-up brain chemistry?

The whole world seems to be caught
It appears as though the entire planet is trapped...

In its own misery
...in a state of suffering and sadness.

Or is it that I only
Maybe it's just me...

See reflections of me?
...seeing only aspects of myself in others?

And that I think there's nothing
Perhaps I'm convinced that there's nothing else...