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.”
Ghosts
Dexter Freebish Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To kill the ghosts I'm runnin' from
And oh yeah, I'm still runnin'
Looking down a dead end street
I feel like someone's watching me
And oh yeah, I'm still lookin'
When I'm playing in the rain
I can't escape
Please rescue me
I'm running from (the voices in my head)
I cannot sleep
Is it a dream I'm running from (the voices in my head)
I'm in between
Realities
I'm running from (the voices in my head)
Can't stop the voices in my mind
They're getting louder all the time
Well I guess, I'll just sing louder
I'd rather be in outer space
You know I just can't stand this place
And this time I'll go farther
When I'm dancing with the sun
The sun will light the way home and it makes my life a holiday
I can't escape
Please rescue me
I'm running from (the voices in my head)
I cannot sleep
Is it a dream I'm running from (the voices in my head)
I'm in between
Realities
I'm running from (the voices in my head)
Got to get away, got to get away, got to get away from myself today
Got to get away, got to get away, got to get away from myself today
Got to get away, got to get away, got to get away from myself today
Yesterday I bought a gun
I can't escape
Please rescue me
I'm running from (the voices in my head)
I cannot sleep
Is it a dream I'm running from (the voices in my head)
I'm in between
Realities
I'm running from (the voices in my head)
The lyrics of Dexter Freebish's song "Ghosts" delve into the theme of inner turmoil and a struggle with one's own demons. The opening verse begins with the singer purchasing a gun to kill the ghosts he is running from, indicating a sense of hopelessness and desperation. He feels like someone is constantly watching him, yet he cannot seem to escape from himself. This is further emphasized in the chorus, where he pleads for rescue from the voices in his head, which he is running from in a bid to save himself. The voices are consuming him and he can't keep them at bay, even when trying to drown them out with his singing voice.
The second verse talks about the singer wishing to escape from his current circumstances and finding solace in external sources. Dancing in the sun and playing in the rain seems to bring about some ease, as if washing away his pain, however, even this doesn't offer complete salvation, and the voices in his head continue to haunt him. The repeated phrases of wanting to get away from himself emphasize that he cannot shake off the perpetual sense of unease and distress he experiences.
Overall, the lyrics of this song paint a vivid picture of the struggle with one's own inner demons, and the desperation to escape and find peace. The haunting and melancholic melody further adds to the feeling of gloom and despair.
Line by Line Meaning
Yesterday I bought a gun
I have resorted to dangerous means to escape the ghosts that haunt me
To kill the ghosts I'm runnin' from
I hope to eradicate my pain and fears through violence
And oh yeah, I'm still runnin'
My struggle continues, and I am not sure if I will ever find peace
Looking down a dead end street
I see no way out of my current predicament
I feel like someone's watching me
I am filled with anxiety and paranoia, even in solitude
And oh yeah, I'm still lookin'
I search for a way to escape the emotional and mental pain that haunts me
When I'm playing in the rain
Sometimes I can find temporary relief from the weight of my emotions
The rain will wash my pain away and it makes my life a holiday
The joy of momentary respite from my troubles reminds me of happier times
I can't escape
My pain and suffering are constant and unrelenting
Please rescue me
I am powerless to help myself and need someone to save me
I'm running from (the voices in my head)
My inner demons torment me, and I am trying to flee from them
Is it a dream I'm running from (the voices in my head)
I question the reality of my situation, wondering if it is all in my head
I'm in between
I am caught in a state of limbo, unable to move on from my past
Realities
The line between what is real and what is imagined is blurred for me
Can't stop the voices in my mind
My inner demons are too powerful for me to overcome alone
They're getting louder all the time
My fears and anxieties are only growing stronger and more overwhelming
Well I guess, I'll just sing louder
In the face of my pain, I try to find strength in music
I'd rather be in outer space
I wish to escape from reality altogether and start anew
You know I just can't stand this place
I am filled with a deep sense of dissatisfaction and discomfort with my current situation
And this time I'll go farther
I am ready to go to drastic lengths to escape the pain that plagues me
When I'm dancing with the sun
Sometimes I can find hope and light in the beauty of the world around me
The sun will light the way home and it makes my life a holiday
In moments of joy, I am reminded of the happiness and peace that I long for
Got to get away, got to get away, got to get away from myself today
I am desperate to escape the pain and fear that I carry within myself
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: NICHOLAS STEPHEN MOON, TOM LOWE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Justin Garfield
this band deserves much more popularity!!!!
CrystalMaiden 77
I love this song, although I'll admit it's mainly out of nostalgia for all the time I spent playing Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2004... with cheat codes, only playing it because of its excellent character creation feature. Still. Am I the only one who prefers the censored version that made it into the game? 'Cause that's the version I grew up with, although I usually hate censorship.
Olibirb
I completely understand. I feel the same way!
RealXpqL
miss this song. unlocks childhood gaming memories. and I'm only 14. god 10 years is fast
End Boss
Can't stop the voices in my mind They're getting louder all the time Well I guess I'll just sing louder .Yeah. Awesome.
JTJudgment
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2004, one of EA's finest ! Nowadays they make complete shite :/ or is that just me haha
rasidde
I discovered Brand New's The Quiet Things That No One Ever Knows from that game too! It was worth the $60 game at the time just to discover these two songs/bands!
briab_cb
Great song...
Jamie Fluke
It has took me 4 years to rediscover this song after it was in Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2004. God I love this song :)
HuntelaarTheBest10
love it!!