Von Sneidern played in a local band called the U-Turns in the early 1980s before relocating to San Francisco in 1985. In the Bay Area he played with several locally based power-pop bands, including the Lost Patrol and The Sneetches (the latter as bassist), before joining Flying Color as guitarist in 1987. After Flying Color broke up in 1990, Von Sneidern hit the road with former Beat leader Paul Collins and lived for a short time in New York before returning to San Francisco to pursue a solo career.
Von Sneidern issued his self-produced debut album, Sight & Sound, on the Heyday label in 1993. In addition to winning rave reviews from power-pop fans, it also featured a guest appearance from John Wesley Harding, with whom Von Sneidern would collaborate frequently in the years to come. The follow-up, Big White Lies, appeared in 1994, and as word of Von Sneidern's music spread in the pop underground, he picked up more production work in addition to his own recordings, and opened his own Bay Area recording studio.
When Von Sneidern released his third album, Go!, in 1996, he was on the local indie label Mod Lang; that label also released the follow-up, 1998's Wood + Wire. For his next project, Von Sneidern formed a soul/R&B-influenced outfit called the Sportsmen, which also featured pianist Khoi-San, guitarist Dave "Shaggy" Gleason, bassist Teenage Rob and drummer Derek Ritchie. Their debut album, Spirited, was released by the Japanese Lazy Cat label in 1999. Von Sneidern subsequently formed his own label, which allowed him to release several idiosyncratic projects in 2000. First among these was London Payne (subtitled Searching the Muse: Memoirs Across America), which set poetry by John R. Dykes to music; it was followed by 2-cute 2-be 4-gotten, a similar exercise that drew from poetry written by teenage girls. Finally, there was an additional live album spanning 1998-2000, Live Start Lifting
Feel
Chris von Sneidern Lyrics
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I feel like falling like rain,
being from nothing, to earth
Then I would run around inside
Fill the small holes
Be the king of unknown
I feel like stalling the pain
Raising my hand to my eyes
Feeling at ease in the darkness
In absence of clear cool surprise
But I'm still afraid to die, alone.
Fear and silence won't grow mellow with age
Be your own solvent
Mixture's around to rust your cage
I feel like calling again
As I complete my flight
Now I will run outside, alone
Into the lake of fire, alone
Taking a lower tone, alone.
In Chris von Sneidern's song "Feel," the lyrics evoke a sense of vulnerability and introspection. The song explores the singer's emotional journey, capturing a range of feelings, including falling, stalling, and calling. The opening lines convey a perception of falling like rain, symbolizing a descent from nothingness to Earth. This imagery suggests a desire to immerse oneself fully in the experience of life, to explore and fill the voids encountered along the way. The reference to being the "king of unknown" suggests a longing to embrace the unfamiliar and to conquer fears.
The second verse delves into the emotional complexities within the singer's mind. There is an acknowledgment of pain and a gesture of shielding oneself from it by raising a hand to the eyes. In the darkness, there is a sense of comfort and ease, perhaps finding solace in the absence of clarity and unexpected surprises. However, there is also a fear of dying alone, highlighting the universal fear of mortality. The reference to "fear and silence" suggests that these emotions do not diminish with time, emphasizing the struggle to find courage and overcome personal obstacles. The lyrics continue to implore the listener to be their own solvent, implying the need to find inner strength and resilience in the face of adversity. The concluding line about the mixture around rusting one's cage further symbolizes the detrimental effects of complacency and stagnation.
In the final verse, there is a sense of completion and a new perspective gained. The act of calling again signifies a renewed sense of hope or reaching out, possibly as a result of overcoming inner hurdles. The mention of completing one's flight indicates a journey that has come to fruition. The singer proclaims their intention to run outside alone, suggesting a newfound freedom and willingness to embrace challenging situations. The reference to the "lake of fire" could symbolize a metaphorical baptism or a transformative experience that leads to growth and self-discovery. The line about taking a lower tone could imply a humbling or a shift in perspective, accepting one's vulnerability and embracing a more grounded approach.
Overall, "Feel" showcases the human experience of navigating through various emotional states, acknowledging fears and insecurities but also hinting at the possibility of growth and personal transformation.
Line by Line Meaning
I feel like falling like rain,
I have a strong sense of descending rapidly, similar to rain falling from the sky.
being from nothing, to earth
Transitioning from a state of insignificance or emptiness to the grounded reality of life.
Then I would run around inside
I imagine freely moving and exploring within my surroundings.
Fill the small holes
The desire to fulfill any voids or gaps that exist in my life.
Be the king of unknown
Craving to possess a sense of authority or control over the mysterious aspects of life.
Feel your power bouncing off the mirror, alone.
Experiencing the force of your influence rebounding back at me, even in solitude.
I feel like stalling the pain
Having the inclination to delay or halt the anguish I am experiencing.
Raising my hand to my eyes
Bringing my hand up towards my eyes, possibly to shield myself from emotional distress.
Feeling at ease in the darkness
Experiencing a sense of comfort or tranquility in the obscurity or uncertainty of life.
In absence of clear cool surprise
When there is a lack of unexpected, refreshing moments of joy or excitement.
But I'm still afraid to die, alone.
Despite everything, I remain fearful of facing death without companionship.
Fear and silence won't grow mellow with age
The emotions of fear and silence do not naturally become more calm or subdued as we grow older.
Be your own solvent
Take control of your own difficulties and find ways to resolve them.
Mixture's around to rust your cage
There are various elements or circumstances that can slowly deteriorate and confine your freedom.
I feel like calling again
An urge to reach out and communicate once more.
As I complete my flight
While I finish my journey or personal transformation.
Now I will run outside, alone
I am ready to venture out into the world by myself.
Into the lake of fire, alone
Facing a difficult or challenging situation, even if I have to confront it alone.
Taking a lower tone, alone.
Adopting a more subdued or restrained approach, especially in isolation.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAUGHERTY, KILBEY, KOPPES, WILSON-PIPER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind