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.”
Higher
Dexter Freebish Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
One thumb on the wheel
Cigarette burning
Life to her was no big deal
Her thin white tank top
Was almost see through
I've always been attracted
To her butterfly tattoo
I wanted to know her
I knew that she could
Show me the way, yeah
She could take me higher
Than I've ever gone
She could take me higher
Than I've ever flown
The top was down
The sun was on our necks
I'm usually driving
But today there are no regrets
We were going some place
And she could lead me there
I can see her depth once you
Peel away the layers
I wanted to know her
I knew that she could
Show me the way, yeah
She could take me higher
Than I've ever gone
She could take me higher
Than I've ever flown
I never thought I could
Feel this way
Ain't gonna look back
On yesterday, no
I see the world open up for me
It's in her eyes
As she looks at me, yeah
And now I know what I am here for
Yeah, I know
She could take me higher
Than I've ever gone
She could take me higher
Than I've ever flown
The lyrics of Dexter Freebish's song "Higher" describe a scene in which the singer is riding shotgun in a car driven by a woman who captures his attention. He is drawn to her carefree attitude and her butterfly tattoo, and he feels that she can show him a new way of experiencing life - one that is richer and more meaningful. The two drive with the top down in the car, feeling the sun on their skin and enjoying the freedom of the open road. The singer is enraptured by the woman's aura and perceived depth, and he realizes that she can take him places he's never been before. As the chorus repeats, he declares that she can take him higher than he's ever gone or flown before.
The song's lyrics are about the transformative power of human connection, particularly between two people who are seeking adventure, meaning, and purpose. The woman in the car represents a kind of mentor or guide for the singer, someone who can show him the beauty of life and inspire him to pursue his dreams. Through her, he feels that he can reach new heights and overcome his own limitations. The metaphor of flying suggests a sense of liberation and transcendence, as if the singer is ready to soar beyond the restrictions of his past and enter into uncharted territory.
Overall, "Higher" is a song about the freedom to explore, to take risks, and to find oneself in the midst of adventure. The woman in the car serves as a catalyst for the singer's own personal growth, inspiring him to embrace the unknown and to chase after his desires. As the song ends, he expresses a newfound sense of purpose and confidence, having discovered what he is here for.
Line by Line Meaning
She was driving the car
She had control of the situation
One thumb on the wheel
She was casually driving, with one hand on the wheel
Cigarette burning
She was smoking, not concerned with the consequences
Life to her was no big deal
She had a carefree attitude towards life
Her thin white tank top
She was dressed in a revealing manner
Was almost see through
Her clothing was suggestive
I've always been attracted
The singer was drawn to her
To her butterfly tattoo
He found her tattoo intriguing
She could take me higher
She had the ability to elevate the singer's experiences
Than I've ever gone
This experience would surpass any the singer has had before
The top was down
The car had a convertible roof
The sun was on our necks
The weather was warm and inviting
I'm usually driving
The singer is typically in control
But today there are no regrets
The singer is letting go of control and enjoying the current moment
We were going some place
They were headed towards an unknown destination
And she could lead me there
The singer trusts her to guide him towards new experiences
I can see her depth once you
When you get to know her better
Peel away the layers
You uncover more about who she is as a person
I never thought I could
The singer is surprised by his feelings
Feel this way
He is experiencing emotions he has never felt before
Ain't gonna look back
The singer is moving forward
On yesterday, no
He is not dwelling on past experiences
I see the world open up for me
The singer's perspective is changing
It's in her eyes
The singer sees potential in her
As she looks at me, yeah
He sees her interest in him
And now I know what I am here for
He has found new purpose in life
She could take me higher
She can elevate the singer's experiences
Than I've ever gone
This experience will surpass any the singer has had before
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, THE ROYALTY NETWORK INC., Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: CELETIA MARTIN, LEWI WHITE, SAMANTHA SADLE, CHRISTIAN KOENIGSEDER, FINN MARTIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind