Shine On, Dexter Freebish’s first full length album in over six years, explores new sonic territory and builds on the hook laden songs of previous releases. While creating Shine On, the band was inspired by 808 drum machines, beat up synths, and their I-phone apps. Produced by The Singularity, the album ranges from the dance, heavy beat influenced “Wide Awake,” to the rock anthem “Do You Want To.” They also collaborated with Greg Wells (Katy Perry, One Republic) on the song “Save the Last Dance.”
Dexter Freebish acknowledges the power of predestination and how it had a hand in them becoming a band. “I was just looking in the Austin Chronicle and had never been in a band or called an ad,” recalls lead singer Kyle. “At the time I wasn’t really a singer except for in school chorus, though I kept notebooks of lyrics. I saw an ad that read: “Singer Wanted. Influences Bono and Sting,” and I said, “what the heck and called, and because of reading the ad I met Chris Lowe (bass, keyboards, programming) and Scott Romig (guitars, programming) and Rob Schilz (drums.) It was the first ad I ever called and it’s still the only band I’ve ever been in.”
Their determination led to “Leaving Town,” Dexter Freebish’s 1999 John Lennon Songwriting Contest Song of the Year (picked from 27,000 entries), which led to a record deal with Capitol Records for the band’s 2000 full-length debut A Life of Saturdays. After exuberantly received radio play (for “Leaving Town” and “My Madonna”), heavy video play on VH1 and MTV2, and enthusiastic tours both domestic and abroad, Dexter Freebish and Capitol Records experienced a regime change that would not allow the band to obtain the attention they deserved and both parties decided to part ways.
This set-back proved to strengthen Dexter Freebish’s resolve, and the believed this was fate’s way of telling them to independently release their 2004 sophomore album, Tripped Into Divine. Pressed by producer Matthew Wilder (No Doubt) Tripped Into Divine bridged the gap between the wide-eyed wonder of unbridled youth and the contemplative fortitude of experience. The single on this album was the fan-favorite, “Prozak,” which went on to win Rock Song of the Year in 2004 in the John Lennon Songwriting contest.
After touring the world to promote Tripped Into Divine, the band decided to go on permanent hiatus in 2005. “We all needed to do other things for a while,” says Lowe. He adds, “We never officially broke up and have all remained friends. But I can honestly say, there was never any hint that we would ever put out another Dexter Freebish record. We were pretty much done.”
In early 2008, the band decided, on a whim, to play a couple of shows throughout Texas. “It just felt right playing together again,” says Romig. “Soon after that, we started writing and recording some new songs.” One of those new songs captured the attention of Electronic Arts, garnering the band’s song “The Other Side,” a spot in the Sims 3 video game.
Steve Schnur, President of Electronic Art’s Publishing Company, Artwerk, comments, “I was in awe of the talent that Dexter Freebish exemplified when I first signed them to a record deal and these feelings have not changed. Ten years ago, I signed them to Capitol Records because of their incredible songwriting and performance abilities and ten years later I’m still working with them for the exact same reasons. The songs that they write are timeless.”
Lowe comments, “It’s crazy to look back to the days when we were on Capitol and how much money the labels would waste to record albums. With modern technology, it is so much easier and cheaper to record an album these days.” Romig adds, “We laugh because recording and mixing this new album cost less than 1/2% of our budget for the albums we made on Capitol. This is a great thing for independent artists and brings power to the people.”
Breathe
Dexter Freebish Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I just don't know what to believe
And are we running out of all this time we borrowed
I'm drowning in reality
Breathe
We've gotta let it go
Turn around and just
Tomorrow will come, can we
Breathe
The days I saw when I was young are unfamiliar
When were we taught to live this way
And as the years go by is our future clearer
Or will it all just fade away
Breathe
We've gotta let it go
Turn around and just
Breathe
Tomorrow will come, can we
Breathe
I'm just a stranger trying to make my way through life
But I'm confused
I'm sick of all the talking heads that lie to me
I want the truth
Am I breaking through the walls that stand between us?
Breathe
We've gotta let it go
Turn around and just
Breathe
Tomorrow will come
And still all I want is to
Breathe
We've gotta let it go
Turn around and just
Breathe
Tomorrow will come
Tomorrow will come
In "Breathe", Dexter Freebish sings his heart out about the common existential crisis that plagues many people today. The opening lines itself evoke a sense of fear and confusion that surrounds the unknown future that looms upon us every day. The singer highlights the dilemma that consumes people who live in a world that is constantly changing and where the road to the future is uncertain. Each day passes with the realization that the borrowed time from the past is running out with no specific certainty about what awaits us in the future.
As the song progresses, the singer tries to encourage himself and others to let go of the worries that hold us back from looking ahead. The chorus is a stark reminder to breathe, to let go of the fears and doubts, to accept the present, and to look forward to what the future holds without knowing what's in store. The final verse of the song encapsulates the aspiration of the entire song. The artist confesses that he is just a stranger trying to find his way in this world, but with clarity of thought and the truth, he hopes to break down the barriers that stand between people and cultivate a sense of peace and hope.
Overall, the lyrics of "Breathe" are a reflection of the struggles people face in today’s fast-paced world. However, through the repeated line of "Breathe," the singer reminds us that it's essential to let go of our fears and worries and learn to accept the present and appreciate the world around us without losing hope in the future.
Line by Line Meaning
I wake up everyday scared about tomorrow
Everyday I have fear and uncertainty about what the future holds
I just don't know what to believe
I am confused and unsure about what to trust or have faith in
And are we running out of all this time we borrowed
We might not have as much time as we think we do
I'm drowning in reality
The harshness and difficulty of life is overwhelming
Breathe
Take a moment to calm down
We've gotta let it go
We have to release our stress and anxiety
Turn around and just
Take a break from what's in front of you
Tomorrow will come, can we
The future is uncertain, but can we manage to stay calm?
The days I saw when I was young are unfamiliar
The world is changing in ways that are hard to recognize
When were we taught to live this way
We are struggling to understand how we got here
And as the years go by is our future clearer
As time passes, it's unclear where we're headed
Or will it all just fade away
Maybe our future is doomed to fail
I'm just a stranger trying to make my way through life
I am lost and trying to figure out how to live
But I'm confused
I don't know what to do or where to go
I'm sick of all the talking heads that lie to me
I am tired of the people in power who deceive and manipulate me
I want the truth
I want honesty and transparency
Am I breaking through the walls that stand between us?
Can I connect with others despite the barriers that divide us?
Tomorrow will come
The future is inevitable
And still all I want is to
Despite the uncertainty, my desire is to
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: CHRIS DALE LOWE, ROB MICHAEL KYLE, SCOTT E ROMIG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind