And that's precisely what Perrone's music is. It's his life -- his worst days, his hopes, and the fears and loves that have come with experience and insight. For Perrone, songwriting is a way of sorting through the thoughts in his mind, capturing a moment or an emotion, and setting that to melody. The result is the sound of a singer-songwriter completely opening himself to whatever may come.
"When I write, it's no holds barred. I don't censor myself," Perrone says. "So many of the songs are just me, picking myself apart."
Perrone has spent more than eight years earning the reputation of an artist who brings audience emotions right to the surface, establishing himself as a noted voice in the Boston music scene. Through residencies at intimate local hideaways and nights before sold-out crowds at Boston's famed Paradise Rock Club and Avalon, Perrone has fused bonds with audiences, honed his craft -- and picked up a 2005 Boston Music Award nomination for Best Local Male Vocal along the way.
But his approach to musicianship is one that begins away from any stage. Perrone is more songwriter-singer than the other way around, seeking the honesty and clarity in music that can otherwise seem difficult to find.
"Writing a song is all the best parts of music," Perrone says. "You catch onto something and it's new, it's fresh, it's exciting. And when you're able to piece a song together, play it from start to finish for the first time, it's amazing. I want to run out and grab someone, get them to listen."
A collection of 13 songs came together in a recording studio last year to form "Used To Dream," Perrone's debut solo effort. A collaboration with musician Steve Belleville, musician/producer Dennis Carroll (6Media Group) and guest appearances from 10 local music talents, the songs flourished in an organic recording process focused more on the feeling of a take than glossy production.
"Glen Phillips, Ray LaMontagne, Griffin House, Joseph Arthur, Ryan Adams, Damien Rice -- when you listen to their songs, they just feel completely honest," he says. "I'm not listening to the technical details, the recording process. I get lost in the feeling of the song. I feel a connection to it. There's something alive about it."
Perrone discovered that the imperfections that arise in the recording process can actually feel perfect for a song, capturing the emotion and intent he imagined when he first set the words to paper.
With that in mind, Perrone was free to explore the possibilities inherent in each song."Used To Dream" features both a return to the basics -- including Perrone's return to the percussion skills he first learned as a youth -- and the ability for seasoned musicians to introduce new elements -- mandolin, banjo and slide guitar, among them -- into songs.
A songwriter brought up on and well-versed in pop rock, Perrone stretched "A Soundtrack (For the Happier Times)" into a languid torch song that drips with the blues and soul as it examines jealousy and circumstance.
The haunting harmonies that soar through "What Comes Up Through the Floor" proves to defy conventional song structure entirely. It's a song without a chorus, but a deceptive one -- lush and menacingly dark.
"I like the fact that it's a dark and creepy song. It's one of the most different songs I've written," Perrone says, "but one that completely summed up what I wanted it to say."
Perrone balances the dark introspection with a charm listeners have long come to know -- saucy, sweet and self-conscious all at the same time. In "Somewhere Beside Me," he sings of a love that lingers through snapshots from his past, noting with a hint of pop-backed self-deprecation that "you're more than a picture I still try to flirt with."
"Lie," likewise, highlights the backwards glance one casts at the end of a relationship, one that needs to end with deception in order to spare both parties involved. The frustrated lyrics, however, are cast against bright instrumentation -- demonstrating Perrone's ability to create multi-layered listening experiences.
At album's close, he brings it back to the basics -- guitar, voice, thoughts -- for "Like Riding a Bike," his most personal, vulnerable song to date.
"I don't want to be here in ten years, living off handouts and hand-me-down dreams," he quietly sings. "If I left for California tomorrow, could you say that I left you with anything, honestly?"
Somewhere along the way, an album of songs that needed to come out became the album to mark a new stage of Perrone's career.
Audiences in live settings throughout the Northeast are already feeling the connection, demonstrated through strong word-of-mouth support and an avid on-line community dedicated to sharing the music. The fans that approach the musician to share their thoughts and appreciation serve as a testament to his musical longevity -- they are new listeners and those who have been there since Perrone's first concert in March 1998.
Perrone describes the response as "an amazing, wonderful thing" for someone who, as a young boy, was often found belting out songs to imaginary crowds in his living room.
"That's the thing that amazes me," he says. "Back then, that was such a dream of mine. And there are time it's just such a surreal experience, I almost think I'm going to realize I'm still dreaming."
Madison
Chad Perrone Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
perched on the 21st floor
of an apartment on the Upper West Side
with the park in my eyes
and my future before me
and if this is all I'll get from you
then it's still more than I had expected
I'll place this love in your hands
you can take it or leave it
I know how many men have died trying
but I blocked both my ears and deny ever hearing it
Madison I never thought I'd get past your front door
This is all I've waited for
Just listen
(Just promise me you'll listen)
An early November day finds me
more awake than I want to be
I don't think I've slept for years
excited for the chance of this possibility
and if this is all I get from you
then it's still more than I had expected
or so I'll keep telling myself
Madison I never thought I'd get past your front door
This is all I've waited for
Just listen
Madison I'm a nervous wreck
but I could be so much more
when this is all I've waited for
Just listen
and I know that I shouldn't count on things I don't know
even though, that's what faith is
or so I've been told
but it's just that now
you've got me wanting more
Madison I never thought I'd get past your front door
This is all I've waited for
Just listen
Madison I'm a nervous wreck
but I could be so much more
when this is all I've waited for
Just listen
Just promise you'll listen
A cold December day finds me
Still waiting…
The lyrics to Chad Perrone's song "Madison" depict a story of unrequited love and the singer's persistence to win over his love interest, Madison. The song is set in New York City, and the first verse finds the singer perched on the 21st floor of an apartment on the Upper West Side, admiring the view of Central Park and contemplating his future with Madison. He acknowledges that if this is all he'll get from her, it's still more than he had expected, and he places his love in her hands, despite knowing that many men before him have failed.
In the second verse, the singer is more awake than he wants to be on an early November day, excited at the possibility of winning over Madison. He admits that he's waited for this moment and tries to convince himself that even if this is all he'll get, it's still more than he expected. He's aware that he shouldn't count on things he doesn't know, but Madison has him wanting more, and he's a nervous wreck, hoping that she'll listen to him.
The chorus repeats the sentiment that this is all he's waited for and pleads with Madison to listen to him. The song ends on a cold December day, with the singer still waiting for Madison.
The lyrics beautifully capture the internal struggle of unrequited love and the hope and determination one can feel despite the odds against them. The setting of New York City adds to the romanticism of the song, with the view of Central Park and the skyscraper representing the singer's aspirations for his future with Madison.
Line by Line Meaning
A warm October day finds me
I am sitting on the 21st floor of an apartment on the Upper West Side, enjoying the view of the park with my future ahead of me.
and if this is all I'll get from you
then it's still more than I had expected
Even if I only get this moment with you, it will exceed my expectations.
I'll place this love in your hands
the first chance that I get
you can take it or leave it
I will give you my love as soon as possible, with no pressure to reciprocate.
I know how many men have died trying
but I blocked both my ears and deny ever hearing it
I am aware of the risks, but I am choosing to ignore them because I am so drawn to you.
Madison I never thought I'd get past your front door
This is all I've waited for
Just listen
(Just promise me you'll listen)
I never believed I would have the chance to be with you, but now that I do, I want you to hear me out.
An early November day finds me
more awake than I want to be
I don't think I've slept for years
excited for the chance of this possibility
I am feeling energized and nervous at the same time, unable to sleep because of my anticipation of what could happen with us.
or so I'll keep telling myself
I am trying to convince myself that even if this doesn't turn out how I hope, it will still be worth it.
Madison I'm a nervous wreck
but I could be so much more
when this is all I've waited for
Just listen
I am extremely anxious about this situation, but I could also be incredibly happy if it works out the way I want it to.
and I know that I shouldn't count on things I don't know
even though, that's what faith is
or so I've been told
but it's just that now
you've got me wanting more
I recognize that I shouldn't have too much hope for something uncertain, but I am deeply invested in what happens with you.
Madison I never thought I'd get past your front door
This is all I've waited for
Just listen
I never believed I would have the chance to be with you, but now that I do, I want you to hear me out.
Just promise you'll listen
I am begging you to simply hear what I have to say.
A cold December day finds me
Still waiting…
I am still in the same place, hoping that something will happen between us despite my uncertainty.
Writer(s): Chad A. Perrone
Contributed by Miles F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.