Two songs were the basis for controversy. The first was Wedding Dress in which Webb compares Christians who seek fulfillment in things outside of Christ to a person committing adultery. An introspective tune, Webb writes that "I am a whore I do confess / I put you on just like a wedding dress". The second song that generated controversy was Saint and Sinner where Webb wrote" "I used to be a damned mess but now I look just fine, 'Cause you dressed me up and we drank the finest wine". The word damned was removed from the final version of the album, at the request of two major Christian retailers.
His second solo studio record, I See Things Upside Down, generated mixed reviews. All marketing to the typical Christian music stations used by his first solo album and his albums with Caedmon's Call was stopped, though the album still has explicitly Christian lyrics. In comparison to Webb's previous work, this album has what's been referred to as an "experimental" style to it, and has been compared to the music of Wilco in that respect. His third studio album, titled Mockingbird, was released on December 26, 2005. On September 1, 2006 he decided to offer the Mockingbird album, for free to download, at http://www.freederekwebb.com/. "|He| want|s| people to have a chance to listen to mockingbird and engage in the conversation (many sensitive issues including poverty, war, and the basic ethics by which we live and deal with others). So this is why, on september 1st, |he| launch|ed| freederekwebb.com, a place where anyone can go online and not just hear but actually download, keep, and share 'mockingbird' completely free. In addition, freederekwebb.com will give you an opportunity to invite your friends to download 'mockingbird' in order to get them in on the conversation as well." This website is no longer running, but Derek Webb has expanded on this idea at www.noisetrade.com, where you can download both his and other artists albums for free or a donation.
Webb's fourth proper studio album The Ringing Bell was released May 1st, 2007. In what many have noted to be Webb's penchant for shifting radically in terms of style from album to album, The Ringing Bell recalls very clearly Beatles-esque pop in a concise, 30 minute, package. It was received with wide praise, with Paste Magazine's Deputy Editor Jason Killingsworth giving the album five out of five stars (The Ringing Bell would prove to be the only album of 2007 to officially receive a perfect score), and receiving placement on their best of list.
In April 2008, Webb released The Ampersand EP. Webb recorded the six-song EP with Sandra McCracken, his wife. The songs focus on the couple's relationship, and Webb and McCracken duet on many of the songs, including a cover of Bob Dylan's "If Not For You." It marks the first time the couple has produced an album together, because even though their styles are similar, "[W]e approach songwriting from completely opposite directions. I'm very conceptual and abstract," McCracken said. "And Derek is very meticulous and intentional. Down to each and every conjunction."
Free album dowmloads: www.noisetrade.com
Website: http://derekwebb.musiccitynetworks.com/
MySpace Page: http://www.myspace.com/derekwebb
dance
Derek Webb Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But this is where I live here in this old folks' dormitory
Every Sunday night Sarah comes to see us
And she plays that old upright
But Sarah always seems to leave us
When she plays something comes over me
Goes from my head all the way to my feet
And I wanna dance
I wanna snap my fingers all night long and dance
I wanna move around the room just like a woman in a trance
All night, I wanna dance
I wanna wrap my arms around your neck and dance
I wanna listen to the music that's been ringing in my ears
And one day I'm gonna dance my way right outta here
I had three girls and a boy but now one's gone up to Heaven
She's with her papa now 'cause he left for lack of penicillin
The older that I get I figure everyone is dying
They're all dying for a change
I know I'm dying for some action
But days like these Sunday seems so far away
So until then I'm gonna sit right here and here I�ll stay
I wanna dance
I wanna snap my fingers all night long and dance
I wanna move around the room just like a woman in a trance
All night, I wanna dance
I wanna wrap my arms around your neck and dance
I wanna listen to the music that's been ringing in my ears
And one day I'm gonna dance my way right outta here
I'd marry you, if you could dance, that's what I said
'Cause where I'm going there'll be dancing everyday
"Dance" is a poignant song by Derek Webb that tells the story of an elderly woman named Mary who resides in an old folks' dormitory. Every Sunday night, Sarah, a visitor, comes and plays an old upright piano for the seniors. However, when Mary hears the music, it awakens a deep desire in her to dance. She yearns to move around the room in a trance-like state, to be lost in the music, to feel alive again. Mary's desire to dance is a metaphor for the desire to live life to the fullest, something she feels is missing from her current existence. She has lost a child and a husband and feels that everyone around her is dying for a change, but she's the only one yearning for some action. Despite the melancholic nature of the song, it's ultimately hopeful as Mary believes that one day she'll dance her way out of the dormitory to a better place.
The song speaks to the age-old human desire to connect with others, to feel alive, and to experience pleasure. As people age, they often become less active, less engaged with the world, leading to feelings of isolation and loneliness. Mary's desire to dance is a way for her to reclaim a sense of agency in her life, to be present in the moment, and to experience joy again. The song is a reminder that even in our darkest moments, there's always a glimmer of hope, a possibility for a brighter future.
Overall, "Dance" is a touching and thought-provoking song that delves deep into the human psyche. It's a testament to the power of music to move us, to inspire us, and to bring us together. The song is a call to action, a challenge to embrace life fully, to seize every opportunity, and to dance our way through the trials and tribulations of life.
Line by Line Meaning
My name is Mary and I'm from Greenville, Mississippi
Mary introduces herself as a person from a small town in Mississippi.
But this is where I live here in this old folks' dormitory
Mary resides in an old folks' dormitory presently.
Every Sunday night Sarah comes to see us
Sarah visits Mary every Sunday night.
And she plays that old upright
Sarah plays the old upright piano when she visits Mary.
But Sarah always seems to leave us
Sarah leaves Mary after playing the old upright.
When she plays something comes over me
The music played by Sarah has a profound impact on Mary.
Goes from my head all the way to my feet
The effect of the music felt by Mary starts from her head and goes down to her feet.
And I wanna dance
Mary has a strong desire to dance after being impacted by the music played by Sarah.
I wanna snap my fingers all night long and dance
Mary wants to dance by snapping her fingers all night long.
I wanna move around the room just like a woman in a trance
Mary wants to move around the room while feeling trance-like after being impacted by the music played by Sarah.
All night, I wanna dance
Mary wants to dance all night long.
I wanna wrap my arms around your neck and dance
Mary wants to dance while hugging someone tightly.
I wanna listen to the music that's been ringing in my ears
Mary wants to listen to the music that has affected her greatly.
And one day I'm gonna dance my way right outta here
Mary wants to dance her way out of the old folks' dormitory one day.
I had three girls and a boy but now one's gone up to Heaven
Mary had four children previously, but one has passed away and gone to heaven.
She's with her papa now 'cause he left for lack of penicillin
Mary's child is with her father in heaven, who died due to lack of penicillin.
The older that I get I figure everyone is dying
Mary realizes that as she gets older, everyone she knows is dying gradually.
They're all dying for a change
The people around Mary are dying for a change in their lives.
I know I'm dying for some action
Mary feels that she needs some excitement and adventure in her life.
But days like these Sunday seems so far away
Mary feels that Sunday is far away on days like these when she needs some action.
So until then I'm gonna sit right here and here I�ll stay
Mary decides to wait patiently until Sunday and stay where she is now.
I'd marry you, if you could dance, that's what I said
Mary tells someone that she would marry them if they could dance.
'Cause where I'm going there'll be dancing everyday
Mary believes that there will be dancing every day where she is going in the future.
Contributed by Camden V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.