They first released a demo with songs that would eventually find themselves on their debut album The Age Of Quarrel (1986). The bass player Harley Flanagan and singer John Joseph were not the best of friends and eventually Joseph would part ways with the band leaving Harley to sing on the following Cro-Mags release. After The Age of Quarrel, the band released the record Best Wishes (1989). The record had a more heavy metal-influenced sound which alienated many of their fans. The band released another record Alpha Omega (1992), that saw the return of Joseph, and the departure of guitarist and songwriter Parris Mitchell Mayhew, a record that was only embraced by the most devoted of their fanbase, and followed by Near Death Experience (1993). After suffering from many lineup changes and frequent breakups, the group finally disbanded, seemingly for the last time, after this record. However, in 2000 they released a record that would almost make up for their past two releases. With Revenge the Cro-Mags came back to their early roots with songs that were comparable to their first release plus some songs with a more melodic/punk rock feel. After the release of Revenge the band broke up once again, and the internal hostility amongst band members (mainly between Mayhew and Flanagan) has never been resolved.
Fugitive
Cro-Mags Lyrics
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So hard I try to control my mind
I'm coming back, coming back
I feel it in my heart
I know I lived a life of strife
And this could be the last chance in this
And I know I got to change my ways
I can be livin' a life of lies
Life of lies and I know
I gotta change my ways
Times gonna getcha gotcha it's creeping up on you
It's time to do the things I've always known I had to do
I try, yes I try, how I long to be with you again
In this lifetime I see you everywhere
The pleasure and pain was all to my gain
I tried so hard looking so far
My faith this is my courage I must go on
I call to you savior of my soul help me please
I'm just begging to see the line that's drawn
Between the good and bad
And I know I've got to change my ways
When I recall the things I've done
I can see I was completely mad
I know I cannot change my past
But with you I could change my destiny
How I long for you to set me free
The lyrics to Cro-Mags's song Fugitive reflect a sense of introspection and self-reflection by the singer. The opening lines of "In this lifetime I know I found what's real" suggests an inner revelation and an understanding of what truly matters to the singer. However, the following lines that read "So hard I try to control my mind" indicate a struggle with maintaining this clarity amidst the chaos of life. The song then progresses towards the singer acknowledging his past mistakes and the need to change his ways. The lines "I know I lived a life of strife" and "I can be livin' a life of lies" demonstrate a realization of the harm caused by living in a certain way.
The chorus of the song presents a sense of urgency and a willingness to take action. The lines "Times gonna getcha gotcha it's creeping up on you" and "It's time to do the things I've always known I had to do" suggest a need to urgently act in order to avoid the consequences of past mistakes. The song then ends with a plea to a higher power for help in finding the right path, with the lines "I call to you savior of my soul help me please" and "How I long for you to set me free."
Overall, the lyrics to Fugitive explore themes of self-reflection, repentance, and the search for redemption.
Line by Line Meaning
In this lifetime I know I found what's real
I have finally discovered what truly matters in this life.
So hard I try to control my mind
I struggle with keeping my thoughts in check.
I'm coming back, coming back
I am ready to return to the path of righteousness.
I feel it in my heart
My intuition tells me that I am doing the right thing.
I know I lived a life of strife
I have experienced a lot of hardship and turmoil in my life.
And this could be the last chance in this
I might not get another opportunity to make things right.
And I know I got to change my ways
I am aware that I need to make some serious changes to improve my life.
I know there ain't no compromise
I understand that I cannot cut corners or take the easy way out.
I can be livin' a life of lies
I have the potential to continue living a dishonest life.
Life of lies and I know
I understand the dangers of leading a deceitful life.
I gotta change my ways
I am committed to making positive changes in my life.
Times gonna getcha gotcha it's creeping up on you
Time is a powerful force that will catch up to you eventually.
It's time to do the things I've always known I had to do
I realize that it is time to take action and pursue my goals.
I try, yes I try, how I long to be with you again
I am making every effort to reconnect with my true self.
In this lifetime I see you everywhere
I recognize the presence of the divine in every aspect of my life.
The pleasure and pain was all to my gain
I have learned valuable lessons from both the good and bad experiences in my life.
I tried so hard looking so far
I have made a concerted effort to search for the right path in life.
My faith this is my courage I must go on
My unwavering belief in a higher power gives me the courage to keep moving forward.
I call to you savior of my soul help me please
I am asking for divine intervention to guide me along the right path.
I'm just begging to see the line that's drawn
I am asking for clarity and direction in my life.
Between the good and bad
I am seeking to understand the difference between right and wrong.
When I recall the things I've done
I am reflecting on the mistakes I have made in the past.
I can see I was completely mad
I can now recognize the irrationality of my previous choices.
I know I cannot change my past
I understand that I cannot undo what has already been done.
But with you I could change my destiny
With the help of a higher power, I have the power to shape my future.
How I long for you to set me free
I am yearning to be liberated from my previous mistakes and start anew.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Bluewater Music Corp.
Written by: DOUGLAS ALEC HOLLAND, HARLEY FLANAGAN, PARRIS MITCHELL MAYHEW
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind