Chris began playing guitar at the age of 11, but some of his earliest memories include performing The Beatles song Help! for a show and tell in kindergarten. His favourite bands growing up included The Beatles, KISS, Black Sabbath, Judas Priest and Rush among others. He has cited guitarists such as Ted Nugent, Rik Emmett, Ace Frehley, Randy Rhoads, Michael Schenker as influences through out the years as well.
After only 13 months, Chris grew bored with guitar lessons and decided to teach himself. He was part of a band called "Blitzkreig" in middle school and played a few shows, the first of which was at a bar in Ridgewood, New Jersey when Chris was only 13. At the age of 14, Chris and his brother formed a band called "Anti". While searching for a bass player, Chris found Darryl Sage, who remains one of his best friends and ended up co-owning Chris's house in Ridgewood. Anti eventually found a singer named Blaze, and whilst in High School, Chris opened for bands like Mountain, Overkill, Steppenwolf, Blackfoot and Metallica. Chris graduated from High School at the age of 16 and went straight into being a professional musician, teaching students during the day and playing shows in the night.
Anti did fairly well, but always had trouble with vocalists. Chris recorded his first demo tape at age 14 and his second at 17, which got him his first national gig. Chris was in New York City one night, hanging around in a club in the middle of Times Square, when he met the lead singer of a band called Heaven named Allan Fryar. They were looking for a guitarist and Chris asked if he could give Allan a tape. A week later and Fryar called, and it turned out that the band also needed a drummer, so Chris's brother Phil joined. The band was managed by David Krebs and a certain Paul O'Neill, who Chris would maintain close ties for most of his career.
Heaven were in-between leaving labels, and Chris did shows with them at the end of a tour and they recorded a new demo. Fryar sung on tapes of some Anti songs and it inspired the band to get the producers in the studio. Opening for Heaven were Skid Row (minus Sebastian Bach) on the East Coast (Chris turned down the opportunity to join the band) and on the West Coast, Warrant.
Paul O'Neill was later introduced to the Oliva brothers, Jon and Criss of Savatage by an Atlantic Records rep and O'Neill left Heaven to work with Savatage. Eventually, Paul invited Chris to New York, where they recorded the CD and introduced Chris to the band. Heaven did was not working with O'Neill and Krebs any more, but wanted a vocalist. Ironically, the band considered asking Sebastian Bach to join them, but they could not catch him in New York. But, Chris soon learned that a second guitarist may be needed in Savatage, so he learned all of the Savatage songs he could in time for Savatage's 1987-1988 tour with Dio and Megadeth. Savatage hired someone else, which left Chris very upset and he flew himself down to the audition. Chris was given the opportunity to perform, played 2 songs before the band stopped and hired him on the spot. The band went on tour, but Chris was kept on the side of the stage, hidden from the audience. Chris was only 20 years old and playing arenas and was happy, but miserable. He left Savatage after the arena tour.
Chris bounced between bands, such as Big Mouth for a couple of years until he came into contact with the Oliva brothers once more. They asked Chris to join them just as the 'Gutter Ballet' CD was finished. He gladly accepted, but the road took it's toll on all of the members and it was around this time that Jon Oliva began his drug and alcohol addiction. Under pressure from his brother to find a singer for their band, Chris quit Savatage at the end of the tour and formed Witchdoctor, with his brother Phil on drums, Hal Patino of King Diamond on bass, and TSO West member Doug Kistner on keyboards. The band played all over Europe, but the brothers were not clicking musicially and the band disbanded. Criss was contacted to perform on Savatage's Streets tour, but issues meant this did not happen. Chris soon learned that Jon Oliva had left Savatage. Chris called Jon, who invited him to Florida, and over "10 bottles of Jack Daniels", their project Doctor Butcher was born.
Zachary Stevens replaced Jon in Savatage, but Jon continued to work with his brother Criss on the record. Chris was again asked to re-join the band, but, he stayed loyal to Jon and Butcher. Some initial demos were recorded with Hal Patino and Gene Barnett for Butcher, but bad press over Jon's health lead Atlantic Records to make a decision - Doctor Butcher or Savatage? Atlantic chose Savatage. Chris was left disheartened. He went to work with friend Ray Gillen of Badlands fame, but he died shortly after the project began. Around this time, Criss Oliva was killed in a car accident. Chris was asked for the fourth time to join Savatage, but Atlantic Records suggested Alex Skolnick join the band instead. Chris would later work with Alex on the TSO East touring company. Butcher was signed in Europe and their debut was recorded in 1994. Jon Oliva left to do the Handful of Rain tour with Savatage so Butcher never toured. Chris, this time, inquired about joining Savatage on a more permanent basis with Jon Oliva, as a close friend and student of Criss Oliva he felt he could pay respect to Criss "spiritually" on stage. Jon agreed, and Chris was joined by Al Pitrelli, a good friend of his from New York. The two formed a steady partnership for almost 6 years, recording both 1995's Dead Winter Dead and 1998's The Wake of Magellan together.
During this time, Chris recorded with Joe Lynn Turner, TM Stevens, as well as produced and recorded for Metalium. Chris was featured on Tribute CD's for Guns N' Roses, Accept and Iron Maiden. The Maiden CD was with Jeff Plate and his long time and newly re acquainted best friend, John West. Savatage was stalled a bit in the recording of a follow up to The Wake of Magellan, due to the tremendous success of the then "Side Project", Trans Siberian Orchestra. Caffery considers himself the "ring leader" of TSO East when they tour, and he enjoys performing live with the ensemble.
Al Pitrelli left Savatage in 2000 when he accepted an invitation to replace Marty Friedman in Megadeth. Zak Stevens left shortly after, citing family reasons. Chris was left as the only guitarist in Savatage and Jon Oliva took up lead vocal duties for the first time in ten years. Chris played the lead parts with Jack Frost (who replaced him in Metalium) playing the rhythm parts on a short tour with Fates Warning and Judas Priest in support of 2001's Poets and Madmen. After Megadeth "disbanded" (it later reformed in 2004) in 2002, Al Pitrelli was invited to re-join the band since "he never left the family anyway".
Since the release of Savatage's most recent CD, Chris has appeared on records of Savatage alumni, including Zak Stevens's Circle II Circle and on Jon Oliva's Pain records. Chris himself released solo EPs and albums in 2004 and 2005, with a follow-up full-length album due for release in 2006.
Solo Discogs
The Mold EP - 2004
Music Man EP - 2004
Faces - 2005
W.A.R.P.E.D - 2005
Pins And Needles - 2007
House Of Insanity - 2009
Your Heaven Is Real - 2015
The Jester's Court - 2018
ONCE UPON A TIME
Chris Caffery Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Time seemed to paralyze
When you walked into the room
It’s not too often one can take my breath away
My life, my time, have you time for me
Could you take this hand
Of a strong and honest man
Into the eyes of make believe
Once upon a time love was younger
In the eyes, hearts were set free
Roll the dice, who’s your favorite number
It’s no surprise
You were once in a lifetime for me
Once in a lifetime for me
You surely can seduce yourself
This thing in life’s for sure
Hearts seem to paralyze
When you walked out of the room
Would you take my hand
I’m a strong, honest man
Just one time can you look
Into the eyes and believe
Once upon a time love was younger
In the eyes, hearts were set free
Roll the dice, who’s your favorite number
It’s no surprise
You were once in a lifetime for me
Once in a lifetime for me
We surely can seduce ourselves
Just like we did before
Hearts bleed and paralyze
When you walked out of the room
Do you take this hand
I’m a strong, honest man
‘Til the end of time
Look into my eyes and believe
Once upon a time love was younger
In the eyes, hearts were set free
Roll the dice, who’s your favorite number
It’s no surprise
You were once in a lifetime for me
Once in a lifetime for me
The lyrics to Chris Caffery's song Once Upon A Time offer a nostalgic look at love and relationships - "Once upon a time love was younger, in the eyes, hearts were set free." The singer seems to address someone they have just met, admitting that they were taken aback and had their breath taken away upon their arrival. The singer is looking for a connection and asks, "My life, my time, have you time for me? Could you take this hand of a strong and honest man?" They seem to be seeking reassurance and sincerity in a world that can often be disingenuous.
The lyrics continue to draw upon the theme of time and the passage of life. The lines, "It's not too often one can take my breath away...How many times can you look into the eyes of make believe?" emphasize the idea that these moments are rare and fleeting. The singer wishes to take advantage of the time they have and make a meaningful connection with the person they address.
Overall, the song stresses the importance of appreciating the unique and valuable moments that arise in life, especially in romantic connection. It encourages honesty, sincerity, and a willingness to take risks and be vulnerable.
Line by Line Meaning
Let me introduce myself, have we met before?
I am introducing myself to you and asking if we have met previously.
Time seemed to paralyze
When I saw you, time appeared to stand still.
When you walked into the room
I noticed you when you entered the room.
It’s not too often one can take my breath away
You are so captivating that few people are able to leave me breathless like you do.
My life, my time, have you time for me
I am wondering if you have time for me and are willing to include me in your life.
Could you take this hand
Would you be willing to hold my hand?
Of a strong and honest man
I am a man who is strong and honest.
How many times can you look
I am curious how many times you can gaze into someone's eyes.
Into the eyes of make believe
I am referring to the idea of 'make believe' or pretending, and whether you can maintain eye contact during these situations.
Once upon a time love was younger
There was a time when love was more innocent.
In the eyes, hearts were set free
People felt free and open to love when they looked into each other's eyes.
Roll the dice, who’s your favorite number
Sometimes, we have to take a chance and see who we end up with, just like rolling the dice.
It’s no surprise
It's no shock or revelation to me.
You were once in a lifetime for me
You were an extraordinary person and experience, truly unique and irreplaceable.
You surely can seduce yourself
You are able to be swept away by your own thoughts and feelings, just as others can be seduced by you.
This thing in life’s for sure
One thing that is certain in life is that things can change quickly and unexpectedly.
Hearts seem to paralyze
When you left, people's hearts seemed to stop and become numb with heartbreak.
Would you take my hand
I am offering for you to take my hand and accompany me through life.
I’m a strong, honest man
I am a dependable and genuine person.
Just one time can you look
I am asking you to look just one more time and search for something deeper in our connection.
Into the eyes and believe
I am hoping you will search into my eyes and believe in our relationship and trust in our feelings.
We surely can seduce ourselves
Both of us are capable of becoming absorbed in our own thoughts and feelings, influenced by our own desires.
Just like we did before
We have become caught up and swept away in the past.
Hearts bleed and paralyze
We are both experiencing intense pain and heartache that is leaving us frozen and numb to the world.
‘Til the end of time
I am promising that I will always love and care for you, until the end of all time.
Look into my eyes and believe
I want you to see the depths of my love and truly believe in the connection we share.
Contributed by Adam Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
suz dabney-terraneau
thank you-----as a retired USMarine-------------------this is the best Chris has ever done
Ahmad AL-WAWI
Well done! Great job, great song!!
Tommy Fields
Awesome job Rob! \m/
Budder Kupp
Your video is intense, moving, gripping, heart wrenching...definitely a winner!
Rob Harwood
Thank you! That means a lot!
Joseph Fritz
very well done!!!!
Rob Harwood
Thanks!
Mario Gillette
That was awesome!
Rob Harwood
Thank you!
Fraevo10
Absolutely brilliant LYRIC VIDEO "Ricky Bobby".
You may want to consider a disclaimer PSA for people suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. There are some brutal images here that bring back HORRIBLE MEMORIES some may not be able to handle.