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.”
Bring Me Water
Dexter Freebish Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bring me laughter
Dancing children in a pasture
Going nowhere
Life's disaster
Spirit's broken
Does it matter?
Bring me water
Bring me laughter
Dancing children in a pasture
Going nowhere
Life's disaster
Calling to the Ever After
The song "Bring Me Water" by Dexter Freebish seems like a direct appeal for help from someone who's struggling with life. The person is asking for water and laughter, which are necessities for a happy life. The next line talks about children dancing in a pasture, which could represent the carefree nature of childhood, and the person may be asking to experience that innocence once again. The phrase "Going nowhere" seems like a commentary on the directionless nature of the person's life and the feeling of being stuck. Life may seem like a disaster to them, and they may feel broken, but they're still asking if it really matters. The chorus repeats the same lines about water and laughter, and the image of children dancing in a pasture, as if to reinforce the person's desires. The final line, "Calling to the Ever After," could refer to the person reaching out to a higher power for guidance, asking for some kind of miraculous intervention or a ray of hope.
The lyrics invite interpretation because the song's overall meaning is open to interpretation. The lyrics may speak to a sense of lost innocence or disillusionment, but they also suggest possibilities of redemption, hope, and a longing for a better life. The song may be about achieving closure for some past trauma, dealing with personal or professional setbacks, or about a relationship that fell apart. It could be a call for inner transformation and growth, highlighting the importance of inner peace, joy, and happiness. Overall, the song "Bring Me Water" is simultaneously sad and hopeful, and it encourages listeners to look forward to the future with optimism and open hearts.
Line by Line Meaning
Bring me water
Provide me with the sustenance needed to survive
Bring me laughter
Give me joy and happiness to counteract the negativity in life
Dancing children in a pasture
An idyllic vision of carefree youth and innocence
Going nowhere
Feeling stuck or directionless in life
Life's disaster
The hardships and challenges that life can bring
Spirit's broken
Feeling defeated or discouraged after enduring difficult circumstances
Does it matter?
Questioning whether anything can truly make a difference in the face of adversity
Calling to the Ever After
Seeking solace or hope in some kind of afterlife or higher power
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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