With her multifaceted acting career and some incredible theatre projects ahead of her, Rubin-Vega's latest endeavor is REDEMPTION SONGS (Sh-K-Boom Records), a much-anticipated collection of original and diversely classic songs.
"Some of these songs were written when I experienced deep losses and incredible firsts. I was inspired to write again. It was a very 'fertile' time for creativity," says Rubin-Vega. The result developed into a form of personal redemption; a vibrant and sophisticated collection of pop, Latin folk, rock and reggae influenced songs that are soulful, passionate and very reflective of Rubin-Vega herself.
As a child, Daphne moved to NYC's Greenwich Village from Panama. It was in the center of this bohemia that Daphne discovered her passion for music and performing.
"I was in the seventh grade when almost overnight I realized I was quite popular with the girls in school, and my house was turning into the hot after school hang out," Rubin-Vega recalls. "It didn't take long to figure out that it was because my brothers' band played in the basement almost every afternoon," she added. "Shortly thereafter, I started glomming the mic and singing lead."
In her teens, Daphne found herself at an Atlantic Studios vocal session begging legendary producer Arif Mardin to let her sing with David Bowie on the soundtrack to George Lucas' film, "Labyrinth." After attending a birthday party for Mardin’s son Joe, she listed all the celebrated singers in her resume; having sung "happy birthday" with them. With that credit under her belt, she joined Pajama Party, the girl group with the infamous freestyle single, "Yo No Se." She recorded two albums on Atlantic Records with the group before going solo to write and record singles for the indie club label, Maxi. Her single, "I Found It" topped the Billboard Dance and Club Play charts. At the same time, the LAByrinth Theater Company was founded and she became an early member.
In 1997, Daphne Rubin-Vega cut her first album of original music, SOUVENIRS for Polygram's now defunct Mercury label. It was the fans of this album that she credits for getting her band started. Fate also intervened in the form of Joan Jett, her co-star and roommate during Rubin-Vega's run as Magenta in 2000's The Rocky Horror Show. "She basically told me to stop bitching, get up off my ass and start a band," says Rubin-Vega. "So I did."
Rubin-Vega went on to play straight-laced detective Gloria Perez in the camp-noir thriller "Wild Things," starring Kevin Bacon and Matt Dillon, for which she won a Blockbuster Award for Best Supporting Actress/Suspense. Other film credits include Robert De Niro's love interest Tia, in the film "Flawless" and her award-winning performance of Olya in the indie cult feature "Skeleton Woman."
Daphne's 2003 role as Canary Mary in Susan Lori Parks' Fucking A at the Public Theater got her a Lucille Lortel Best Featured Actress nomination, and in 2004, Rubin-Vega received her second Tony nomination for best featured actress (play) for her role as Conchita in Nilo Cruz' Pulitzer Prize winning Anna in the Tropics with Jimmy Smits.
Rubin-Vega is preparing for the end of a very busy year. This April, she ended her run as Martirio in Bernarda Alba at Lincoln Center. In September, she finished her star turn in The New Group's summer 2006 production of Everythings Turning Into Beautiful.
In October, the same month as the release of REDEMPTION SONGS, Rubin-Vega will play Fantine in the Broadway revival of Les Miserables.
In January 2007, she will star with Academy Award winner Phillip Seymour Hoffman in The Public Theater/LAByrinth production of Bob Glaudini's Jack Goes Boating.
For more information on Daphne Rubin-Vega, please visit www.daphnerubinvega.com
or www.myspace.com/drvmyspace.
Out Tonight
Daphne Rubin-Vega Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What's The Time?
Well It's Gotta Be Close To Midnight
My Body's Talking Me
It Says, 'Time For Danger'
It Says 'i Wanna Commit A Crime
Wanna Be The Cause Of A Fight
Wanna Put On a Tight Skirt And Flirt
I've Had A Knack From Way Back
Of Breaking The Rules Once I Learn The
Games
Get Up - Life's Too Quick
I Know Someplace Sick
Where This Chick'll Dance In The Flames
We Don't Need Any Money
I Always Get In For Free
You Can Get In Too
If You Get In With Me
Let's Go Ouuuuuut Tonight
I Have To Go Ouuuuuut Tonight
You Wanna Play?
Let's Run Away
We Won't Be Back
Before It's Christmas day
Take Me Ouuuuuut Tonight (Meow)
When I Get A Wink From The Doorman
Do You Know How Lucky You'll Be?
That You're On Line With The Feline Of
Avenue B
Let's Go Ouuuuuut Tonight
I Have To Go Ouuuuut Tonight
You Wanna Prowl
Be My Night Owl?
Well Take My Hand We're Gonna Hooooowl
Ouuuuut Tonight
In The Evening I've Got To Roam
Can't Sleep In The City Of Neon And Chrome
Feels Too Damn Much Like Home
When The Spanish Babies Crrrrrry
So Let's go find a Bar
So Dark We Forget Who We Arrrrre
And All The Scars From The
Nevers And Maybes Diiiiiie
Let's Go Ouuuuut Tonight
Have To Go Na na na Out Tonight
You're Sweet
Wanna Hit The Street?
Wanna Wail At The Moon Like A Cat In
Heat?
Just Take Me Ooouuut Tonight
Please Take Me Ouuuut Tonight
Don't Forsake Me - Ouuuuut Tonight
I'll Let You Make Me - Ouuuuuut Tonight
Tonight - Tonight - Tonight
In Daphne Rubin-Vega's song "Out Tonight," the singer, Mimi, wants to go out and have a good time. She's feeling restless and wants to break some rules, flirt with a stranger, and forget about her problems for a while. Mimi's body is "talking" to her, urging her to take risks and do something exciting. Mimi knows of a place where she can dance in the flames, and she's inviting someone else to come along with her. She doesn't need any money to get in because she always gets in for free. Mimi promises a fun night out with no regrets, and she wants someone to go with her.
The song is about the rush of excitement that comes with breaking free from routine and experiencing something new. Mimi is rebellious and impulsive, and she wants someone to join her in her quest for adventure. The imagery in the lyrics, such as dancing in the flames and wailing at the moon, suggests a desire to let loose and forget about everything that's holding the singer back. The follow-up line, "we won't be back before it's Christmas Day," implies that Mimi wants to make the most of the time she has and live life to the fullest.
Line by Line Meaning
Mimi
The singer's name is Mimi.
What's The Time?
Mimi is asking for the time.
Well It's Gotta Be Close To Midnight
Mimi assumes it's almost midnight.
My Body's Talking Me
Mimi's body is communicating with her.
It Says, 'Time For Danger'
Mimi's body is urging her to do something risky.
It Says 'i Wanna Commit A Crime
Mimi's body desires to do something illegal.
Wanna Be The Cause Of A Fight
Mimi wants to provoke a physical altercation.
Wanna Put On a Tight Skirt And Flirt With A Stranger'
Mimi wants to dress provocatively and flirt with someone she doesn't know.
I've Had A Knack From Way Back Of Breaking The Rules Once I Learn The Games
Mimi has a history of breaking rules once she understands how to do so.
Get Up - Life's Too Quick
Mimi wants to take action and live life to the fullest.
I Know Someplace Sick Where This Chick'll Dance In The Flames
Mimi knows of a place where someone will dance recklessly.
We Don't Need Any Money
Mimi states that they don't require money.
I Always Get In For Free
Mimi is accustomed to not paying to gain entry.
You Can Get In Too If You Get In With Me
Mimi is offering to bring someone along with her for free entry.
Let's Go Ouuuuuut Tonight
Mimi wants to go out tonight.
I Have To Go Ouuuuuut Tonight
Mimi feels that it's necessary to go out tonight.
You Wanna Play?
Mimi is asking if the listener wants to participate.
Let's Run Away
Mimi desires to escape and leave their current situation.
We Won't Be Back Before It's Christmas day
Mimi implies that they will be out all night until Christmas day.
Take Me Ouuuuuut Tonight (Meow)
Mimi repeats her request to go out and includes a playful meow.
When I Get A Wink From The Doorman
Mimi is imagining a scenario where she receives a signal of approval from a doorman.
Do You Know How Lucky You'll Be?
Mimi is suggesting that the listener will be fortunate to accompany her.
That You're On Line With The Feline Of Avenue B
Mimi refers to herself as the 'feline of Avenue B' and hints at her seductive prowess.
You Wanna Prowl
Mimi is asking if the listener desires to go out and wander around.
Be My Night Owl?
Mimi is requesting that the listener stay up late with her.
Well Take My Hand We're Gonna Hooooowl
Mimi is urging the listener to come with her and express themselves freely.
In The Evening I've Got To Roam
Mimi feels an urge to wander in the evening.
Can't Sleep In The City Of Neon And Chrome
Mimi is acknowledging that she is unable to rest in a city full of bright lights and technology.
Feels Too Damn Much Like Home
Mimi identifies with the city and finds it comfortable.
When The Spanish Babies Crrrrrry
Mimi may be describing a particular sound or atmosphere at a certain time of day.
So Let's go find a Bar
Mimi suggests that they should locate a bar to visit.
So Dark We Forget Who We Arrrrre
Mimi wants to go to a place where they can lose themselves for a while.
And All The Scars From The Nevers And Maybes Diiiiiie
Mimi wants a place where they can let go of past pain and uncertainty.
Have To Go Na na na Out Tonight
Mimi confirms that she definitely needs to go out tonight.
You're Sweet
Mimi is complimenting the listener.
Wanna Hit The Street?
Mimi is asking if the listener wants to go out with her.
Wanna Wail At The Moon Like A Cat In Heat?
Mimi is proposing that they should celebrate the night and be carefree.
Just Take Me Ooouuut Tonight
Mimi reiterates that she needs to go out tonight and wants the listener to come along.
Please Take Me Ouuuut Tonight
Mimi is pleading with the listener to go out with her.
Don't Forsake Me - Ouuuuut Tonight
Mimi doesn't want to be left behind and wants to go out with the listener.
I'll Let You Make Me - Ouuuuuut Tonight
Mimi is giving the listener power to influence her choices for the night.
Tonight - Tonight - Tonight
Mimi emphasizes that she needs to go out tonight and make the most of it.
Writer(s): Jonathan D. Larson
Contributed by Sydney R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Angelica Schuyler
All hail our queen
Kat V
Ur the best Mimi
A. Burgia
Daphne is the original but Rosario Dawson's voice is far more supreme.
danielle lu
i prefer to keep them seperate but i think both are best at their respective fields, live theatre and screenwork.
Maya
Lies!
mairead
no