Daniel’s musical inclinations were apparent at an early age. His first instruments were organ and ‘ukulele, then he graduated to classical guitar and piano, electric guitar, bass, drums, and eventually, voice. He dreamt big and followed his aspirations. This led him to study composing, arranging and film scoring at the Grove School of Music in Los Angeles. Shortly afterwards, he began his professional career as the leader, keyboardist, composer, and producer for Kilauea, a contemporary jazz group he formed in 1990. By 1997, Kilauea had released six chart-topping albums, two of which hit the Top 10 on Billboard’s jazz charts.
As momentum of the smooth-jazz genre waned, Daniel set his sights on starting an independent record label. He longed for artistic freedom, a rare privilege in the music industry. His interests in photography and graphic design complimented the built-in responsibilities of marketing and production. In 1998 he launched Daniel Ho Creations. It began as a vanity effort and consisted of his solo piano and Hawaiian slack key guitar recordings. Slowly, the releases grew into collaborative projects that featured Hawaiian hymns, hula, ‘ukulele, and slack key guitar music. To date, Daniel Ho Creations has released over fifty acoustic and Hawaiian-themed CDs by many of Hawai‘i’s most respected artists, who are first and foremost, friends. Daniel has received numerous Hawaiian music industry accolades including three Na Hoku Hanohano awards and eight Hawai‘i Music Awards.
In recent years, Daniel has been able to remain true to his craft and focus on what he loves most: the music. He is an accomplished singer and songwriter who has shared his music as a soloist throughout the U.S., Tasmania, Germany, and Japan. He has been featured with the Honolulu Symphony; toured as a keyboardist and guitarist for Grammy Award-winning vocalist, Peabo Bryson; guest-lectured at Stanford University; and authored instructional books on ‘ukulele and slack key guitar.
Daniel is a Yamaha guitar artist and plays Koaloha ‘ukuleles.
Cup Of Joe
Daniel Ho Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wasting my time looking for the end.
Smoking like a dragon, drowning in my flagon.
Pumping like a work horse going 'round the bend.
Shouting and screaming 'til the walls go deaf.
Shaking my fire and brimstone fist.
Choking on dust as I cleanse myself.
Staining my eyes as I search myself.
No one will ever, ever know.
Sticks and stones will break my bones
But cancer will probably kill me.
Filling the gaps with vice after vice.
None of which actually thrill me.
The lyrics of Daniel Ho’s “Cup of Joe” reflect the feelings of someone who is trying to find a sense of purpose and meaning in their life. The opening line, “Pass the time, passing the time,” suggests that the singer is just going through the motions, trying to fill the empty hours of their day. They are “Wasting my time looking for the end,” seeking some kind of resolution or closure.
The singer then turns to vices like smoking and drinking, trying to escape their feelings of restlessness and aimlessness. They feel like they are “drowning in my flagon,” unable to find solid ground. But despite the temporary relief these vices provide, the singer feels like they are “Choking on dust as I cleanse myself,” unable to escape the emptiness that they feel inside.
The repeated refrain of “I’ll never, ever understand…” and “No one will ever, ever know” suggests a deep sense of frustration and isolation. Despite their attempts to find fulfillment in vice and pleasure, the singer feels like they will never truly understand themselves or be understood by others. The final lines of the song offer a bleak outlook on life, acknowledging that no matter what we do, we can never outrun our own mortality.
Line by Line Meaning
Pass the time, passing the time.
Spending time aimlessly, without any real purpose or direction.
Wasting my time looking for the end.
Fruitlessly searching for the conclusion or resolution of something.
Smoking like a dragon, drowning in my flagon.
Excessively indulging in vices such as smoking and drinking, to the point of losing control.
Pumping like a work horse going 'round the bend.
Working tirelessly and obsessively, without regard for personal well-being.
Shouting and screaming 'til the walls go deaf.
Expressing emotions in a way that is overwhelming and potentially damaging to oneself and others.
Shaking my fire and brimstone fist.
Expressing anger and frustration in a way that is aggressive and destructive.
Choking on dust as I cleanse myself.
Struggling to let go of past mistakes and regrets, while attempting to make amends and move forward.
Staining my eyes as I search myself.
Soul-searching and reflecting on one's own faults and shortcomings, which can be emotionally painful and difficult to face.
I'll never, ever understand.
Admitting to a lack of understanding or comprehension about a particular issue or circumstance.
No one will ever, ever know.
Acknowledging that some things are best kept private and may never be fully understood by others.
Sticks and stones will break my bones
Realizing that physical harm can be painful and damaging, but it is often easier to recover from than emotional pain and trauma.
But cancer will probably kill me.
Acknowledging the sobering reality of mortality and the potential for serious illness or disease.
Filling the gaps with vice after vice.
Attempting to fill a void or emotional emptiness with temporary and ultimately unsatisfying distractions or coping mechanisms.
Contributed by Zoe N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.