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.”
Tomorrow
Dexter Freebish Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To all that left their mark
To all that tried and failed so
To all that now are gone
I see myself in your words
I see you in my smile
Your wisdom's like a lighthouse
That guides me when I'm lost...
I find myself at this crossroad, broken dreams
And I don't know what tomorrow might bring
I'm like a ball of clay
That you molded with your hands
Raised me without shadows
And baptized me in the light
To those that came before me
I know I'll see you soon
And like a distant star in the night
I'm reaching out for you...
I find myself at this crossroad, broken dreams
And I don't know what tomorrow might bring
The lyrics of the song "Tomorrow" by Dexter Freebish portray a sense of humility and gratitude towards those who have come before us, left their mark, and paved the way for us to follow. The songwriter acknowledges that their wisdom and failures are a source of guidance and inspiration for the present generation. The lines "I see myself in your words, I see you in my smile" signify that the struggles and achievements of the past are not lost, they are embedded in our psyche, and guide us in our journey through life.
The song also reflects a sense of uncertainty and doubt about the future. The songwriter is at a crossroad, facing broken dreams and is unsure of what tomorrow might bring. The line "I'm like a ball of clay that you molded with your hands" suggests that the people who came before us have greatly influenced who we are today, but the future remains unknown and unforeseeable.
Overall, the song Tomorrow portrays an acceptance of the past, an acknowledgment of the present, and a hopeful anticipation for the unknown future.
Line by Line Meaning
To all that came before me
Acknowledging and recognizing the people who have paved the way before me.
To all that left their mark
Honoring those who have made a significant impact in their time.
To all that tried and failed so
Remembering those who attempted their goals, but didn't succeed, as their efforts still influenced the present.
To all that now are gone
Reflecting on people who have passed away and left behind a legacy.
I see myself in your words
Identifying myself with the wisdom and insights of those who came before me.
I see you in my smile
Feeling the influence of previous generations on my own personality, which is evident in my expressions.
Your wisdom's like a lighthouse
Describing the profound guidance and illumination of the teachings of those who came before me.
That guides me when I'm lost...
Recognizing the profound impact that these lessons have on steering me to the right path when I'm not sure what to do.
I find myself at this crossroad, broken dreams
Feeling lost and unsure of what path to take, with past failures hanging over me.
And I don't know what tomorrow might bring
Feeling uncertain and anxious about what the future will hold.
I'm like a ball of clay
Feeling as though I'm still developing and shaping myself as a person.
That you molded with your hands
Acknowledging the role that my upbringing and the teachings of those who came before me have played in shaping who I am.
Raised me without shadows
Growing up in an environment free of negativity and turmoil.
And baptized me in the light
Initiating me into a world full of positivity and goodness.
To those that came before me
Honoring the people who have helped shape the person I am today.
I know I'll see you soon
Believing in the afterlife and acknowledging that I'll meet all those who have passed away.
And like a distant star in the night
Referencing those who have passed away as shining examples to follow.
I'm reaching out for you...
Expressing a yearning desire to contact those who have passed away for guidance and wisdom.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Darren Jay Ashba, David Walsh, James Michael, Nikki Sixx, Scott Christopher Stevens
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind