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.”
Honestly
Dexter Freebish Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Shadowing sunlight
Can't shake the belief
That there's something bright
So deep inside of me
Can you make me a believer?
Make the madness saner?
Can you take this pain
As it's pouring down on me?
And if I slip into tomorrow
Will you bring me back?
And if I call on you
Will you answer me
Honestly?
Honestly
I'm holding on but not for long
And I need you more than ever
Honestly
Honestly
The darkness calls but when you're with me
I could live forever
Drowning in this desert
Alone and I'm surrounded
By the spirits who sink
Their teeth in me
And swallow my heart and my soul
Are you disappointed
When I walk right through you?
Or is it true?
All the things I knew
Deep inside of you
And if I slip into tomorrow
Will you bring me back?
And if I call on you
Will you answer me
Honestly?
Honestly
I'm holding on but not for long
And I need you more than ever
Honestly
Honestly
The darkness calls but when you're with me
I could live forever
A brand new way
And the angels came
It's not too late
It's never too late
Honestly
Honestly
I'm holding on but not for long
And I need you, need you, yeah
Honestly
Honestly
The darkness calls but when you're with me
I could live forever
Honestly
Honestly
I'm holding on but not for long
And I need you more than ever
Honestly
Honestly
The darkness calls but when you're with me
I could live again
Honestly
Honestly
Honestly
Honestly
The song Honestly by Dexter Freebish seems to be about the struggle of the singer with some internal demons, as well as their appeal to someone else to help them in their time of need. The lyrics talk about the singer's belief that there is something bright deep inside of them, but that they need help in order to make that belief a reality. They ask for someone to make them a believer, to take away their pain and wash away the stain that seems to be pouring down on them. The singer also talks about their fear of slipping into tomorrow and being lost forever, but they seek reassurance that the other person will bring them back and answer their call for help. The song seems to be about the importance of relying on others and seeking help when we need it, rather than trying to face our struggles alone.
The chorus of the song repeats the word "Honestly," which might suggest that the singer is looking for honesty and truthfulness from the person they are addressing. The singer is looking for someone who will honestly answer their call for help and not let them slip into darkness. The song is emotional and raw, with lyrics that paint a picture of someone who is struggling with inner turmoil and needs the support of others to pull through.
Line by Line Meaning
Beautiful moonlight
The beauty of the night sky fascinates me.
Shadowing sunlight
The sun is casting shadows that highlight the beauty of the world.
Can't shake the belief
I have a strong conviction that there is something special within me.
That there's something bright
I believe that there is a bright future ahead of me.
So deep inside of me
This belief is rooted deep inside of my being.
Can you make me a believer?
I am reaching out to someone to help me solidify this belief and make it a reality.
Make the madness saner?
Can you provide clarity and calmness in the midst of all the chaos and madness of life?
Can you take this pain
Wash away this stain
As it's pouring down on me?
Can you help me deal with the emotional pain I am currently experiencing and help me move past it?
And if I slip into tomorrow
Will you bring me back?
If I lose my focus or direction, will you help guide me back to where I need to be?
And if I call on you
Will you answer me
Honestly?
If I ask for your help or guidance, will you provide it to me truthfully and without hesitation?
I'm holding on but not for long
And I need you more than ever
I am struggling to hold on and need your help now more than ever before.
The darkness calls but when you're with me
I could live forever
When I am with you, the darkness of the world doesn't seem so daunting and I feel like I could overcome anything.
Drowning in this desert
Alone and I'm surrounded
By the spirits who sink
Their teeth in me
And swallow my heart and my soul
I feel like I am suffocating in a dry, barren wasteland, surrounded by negative influences that are draining me of my energy and happiness.
Are you disappointed
When I walk right through you?
Or is it true?
All the things I knew
Deep inside of you
I am not sure if you will be disappointed in me when I fail to live up to your expectations or if you will understand that I am just trying to be true to myself.
A brand new way
And the angels came
It's not too late
It's never too late
I feel like I am starting over and being given a new chance at life, with the help of angels who are guiding me towards a brighter future.
Honestly
I am being completely truthful and transparent in my feelings and thoughts.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Chris Dale Lowe, Robert Kyle, Scott E Romig
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind