Candlebox was known for an explosive live show and throughout their 8 year career, they toured with such bands as Living Colour, The Flaming Lips, Our Lady Peace, Rush, Henry Rollins, and Metallica. They were also a featured band on the main-stage at Woodstock '94 and made repeat live performances on the David Letterman show.
They are best known for the singles "Change", "You", "Far Behind" and "Simple Lessons". "Far Behind" entered Billboard's Top 20 in July of 1993 and didn't drop off the charts until January of 1994. The videos for "Far Behind" and "You" were in seemingly perpetual rotation on MTV and became two of the most requested videos of 1993.
Drummer Scott Mercado left the band in 1997 and was replaced by former Pearl Jam member Dave Krusen. Krusen later left the band in 1999 and was replaced by Shannon Larkin of Ugly Kid Joe. Bardi Martin also left the band that year, and was replaced by Rob Reddick (formerly of Dig). The band split in year 2000.
As of 2005, singer Kevin Martin is currently recording and performing as the leader of The Hiwatts. Peter Klett is currently recording and performing as the leader of redlightmusic.
In 2006, Candlebox has reunited with their original line-up. They went on a three-month North American tour beginning on July 1st of the same year. This marks their first collaboration since 1996.
In 2008, Candlebox released their fourth studio album called "Into the sun". This meant their return since 1998's Happy Pills. Also, they released a Live album called "Alive in Seattle" which includes tracks from all their past albums.
In 2009, Kevin Martin (along with Sean Hennesy, Candlebox's guitarist) helped form the super-group The Gracious Few with three of the members of the band LIVE. Functioning as lead singer, the band went on to release a self-titled album which accompanied an extensive tour. Though LIVE has reformed with a new lead singer, more material from The Gracious Few is said to be released in the future
Steel and Glass
Candlebox Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With your L.A. tan
And your New York walk
And your New York talk
Your mother left you when you were small
But you're gonna wish
you wasn't born at all
Steel and Glass
Your phone don't ring
No one answers your call
How does it feel to be off the wall
Your mouthpiece squawks as he spreads
Your lies
But you can't pull strings if your hands
Are tied
Your teeth are clean but your mind
Is capped
You leave your smell like and alley cat
Steel and Glass
Steel and Glass
There you stand with
your toilet scent
And your Mickey duck
and your Donald fuck
Your Daddy left when you were small
But you're gonna wish
you wasn't born at all
Steel and Glass
Steel and Glass
Steel and Glass
The lyrics to Candlebox's song Steel and Glass show the singer addressing an individual who has gained success and wealth, but has lost touch with their true identity and values. The individual is described as having a "L.A. tan" and a "New York walk" and talk, demonstrating their assimilation into the superficial and materialistic culture of big cities. However, their troubled past is also revealed with lines like "Your mother left you when you were small" and "Your Daddy left when you were small".
The chorus of "Steel and Glass" is a cynical commentary on the individual's false facade, with the title itself symbolizing the brittle and synthetic nature of their persona. The lyrics depict loneliness and isolation, with the individual's phone not ringing and their lies being spread through a "mouthpiece squawk". The individual's mind is described as being "capped" while their cleanliness contrasts with a "toilet scent". Ironically, despite their material success, the individual is ultimately portrayed as being miserable and wishing they had never been born.
Line by Line Meaning
There you stand
The singer is addressing someone who is present before them.
With your L.A. tan
The person has a tan which is typical of Los Angeles.
And your New York walk
The person has a characteristic gait typical of New Yorkers.
And your New York talk
The person has a way of speaking typical of New Yorkers.
Your mother left you when you were small
The person's mother abandoned them at a young age.
But you're gonna wish you wasn't born at all
The singer believes that the person will regret their existence.
Steel and Glass
The title of the song, which could potentially represent the coldness and hardness of the subject being described.
Your phone don't ring
The person is not receiving any calls on their phone.
No one answers your call
The person is unsuccessfully attempting to make a call.
How does it feel to be off the wall
The artist is asking how it feels to not be in control or to have lost their mind.
Your mouthpiece squawks as he spreads Your lies
The person is lying to others through an intermediary who is referred to as a 'mouthpiece.'
But you can't pull strings if your hands Are tied
The person is unable to control the situation because they are restrained.
Your teeth are clean but your mind Is capped
The person is superficially clean and presentable but their thoughts are hindered or limited in some way.
You leave your smell like and alley cat
The person has an unpleasant or unclean odor, like that of a stray cat.
There you stand with Your toilet scent
The singer is mocking the person for smelling like a bathroom.
And your Mickey duck and your Donald fuck
The person has items or clothing featuring popular children's cartoon characters, which the artist finds distasteful or immature.
Your Daddy left when you were small
The person's father abandoned them at a young age.
But you're gonna wish you wasn't born at all
The singer believes that the person will regret their existence.
Steel and Glass
The title of the song, which could potentially represent the coldness and hardness of the subject being described.
Steel and Glass
The title of the song, which could potentially represent the coldness and hardness of the subject being described.
Steel and Glass
The title of the song, which could potentially represent the coldness and hardness of the subject being described.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHN LENNON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mainrollman
Kevin Martin sings this so well. His voice is so honest, pure and REAL. One of the most underated singers ever. Thanks for posting.
Clif Barsky
I love this band and the way their songs connect to your soul.
amassaic
Man, Kevin Martin just has an such an incredible vocal delivery. This was the best cover from WCH compilation and that says alot with amazing covers from Blues Traveler, Mad Season, and Cheap Trick
Luga Lugosa
+amassaic I totally agree;it's a great album but this is by far the best cover!
shannon morton
Beautiful and rare cover. Very Nice!
Mark Scholfield
That voice! Just connects in the BRAIN!
smallville51
Candlebox is by far one of the most underrated bands ever in my opinion. the steel and glass comes from the CD Working_Class_Hero_-_A_Tribute_To_John_Lennon Might wanna check out the Airheads soundtrack for more rare candlebox songs.
TylerDurden43
Sometimes you see the picture of a band and you know the music will be awesome...
David Aguilar
One of the most underrated vocalist & band ever!! 2019 BABY!!
noconviction
huge john lennon fan/\.... still my favorite version