Dishwalla, which emerged out of the early stages of post-grunge, is composed of J.R. Richards (vocals), Scot Alexander (bass), Rodney Browning Cravens (guitar), Jim Wood (keyboards), and George Pendergast (drums). They spent the mid-'90s touring with the likes of Sheryl Crow, Blind Melon, and the Goo Goo Dolls in support of Pet Your Friends. Prior to making a second album, the band was caught in the middle of the Polygram/Universal merger and such a move left Dishwalla pondering what to do next. Their second album, And You Think You Know What Life's About, was released in 1998; promotion and sales were lackluster due to label downsizing. Dishwalla's time with A&M was short-lived and exhausting because of such corporate behavior, but they stuck it out to contribute their cover version of "Policy of Truth" for the Depeche Mode tribute album For the Masses. By the new millennium, Dishwalla left behind major-market America for a third album. They signed with Immergent while Pendergrast parted ways with the band. Pete Maloney, a drummer picked up on the 1998 tour, resumed percussion duties. In 2002, Dishwalla issued their experimental third album Opaline (Immergent), quickly followed by 2003's Live... Greetings from the Flow State. A self-titled album produced by Sylvia Massy (Tool, System of a Down), Bill Szymczyk, and Ryan Greene (NOFX, Nerf Herder) followed in 2005 before the band went on indefinite hiatus.
Three years passed before Dishwalla would return in 2008. Debuting a lineup that joined original members Alexander, Pendergast, Cravens, and Wood with new vocalist Justin Fox, the band hit the road, touring sporadically over the following years. They would not return to the studio until 2016, when they began recording their first album in a decade. Juniper Road arrived in 2017.
Biography by MacKenzie Wilson
Once In A While
Dishwalla Lyrics
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Inside your mind?
Do you like to dream about the stars above
Once in a while
Don't go to the other side for nothing at all
Better make it worth your while
Gonna break down that wall, gonna take the fall
Don't go to the other side
You might mess up that hair
Just wait you might change your mind
To think that people really care about your hair anyway
When you close your eyes do you like what you see
Inside your mind?
Do you like to dream about the stars above
Once in a while
Don't go to the other side
Just get down on your knees
Show me what you are made of
I'm begging you please, just please go away
Don't go to the other side
When you close your eyes do you like what you see
Inside your mind?
Do you like to dream about the stars above
Once in a while
The lyrics of Dishwalla's song "Once In A While" delve into the concept of perception and dreams. The opening lines pose a series of introspective questions. When we close our eyes, it's an opportunity for us to escape from the reality in which we live in and envision a world that we can control. The mention of stars above alludes to the vast possibilities that exist in our imagination. Essentially, this song encourages us to take a break from our daily routines and stresses, and enter into a dream-like state. The chorus repeats that refrain and reinforces the idea that it's okay to indulge in our imagination every once in a while.
However, the next verse changes the tone of the song. The lyrics suddenly become more cautionary in nature. The line "don't go to the other side for nothing at all" seems like a warning - not to get lost in our dreams and neglect our responsibilities. It suggests that we should appreciate the benefits of the reality we live in and make the most of it while we can. The line, "better make it worth your while," urges us to value our time and ensure that we're accomplishing meaningful things.
The bridge after the second chorus hints at a sense of frustration. The line "just go away" suggests that the singer may have been experiencing feelings of inadequacy that surfaced when they gave into dreamlike states. Overall, the song's message is one of appreciating life for what it is while still being able to enjoy the escape that dreaming can provide.
Line by Line Meaning
When you close your eyes do you like what you see
Are you satisfied with the thoughts and visions that occupy your mind when you shut your eyes?
Inside your mind?
Are these images residing only within your imagination?
Do you like to dream about the stars above
Is it appealing to envision gazing at the celestial bodies every now and then?
Once in a while
Intermittently or occasionally.
Don't go to the other side for nothing at all
There's no need to walk through that door without a viable purpose in mind.
Better make it worth your while
If you do choose to take that path, ensure that it's valuable and beneficial.
Gonna break down that wall, gonna take the fall
I intend to tear down that obstacle and face the consequences.
You might mess up that hair
Going down that road may lead to disheveled hair.
Just wait you might change your mind
Perhaps waiting will cause a shift in viewpoint and opinion.
To think that people really care about your hair anyway
What's the sense in concerning oneself with something so insignificant?
Just get down on your knees
Kneel and show humility.
Show me what you are made of
Demonstrate what you're truly capable of.
I'm begging you please, just please go away
I plead with you to go and depart from this situation.
Don't go to the other side
I advise against walking through that door.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, JOHN ROBERT RICHARDS, Abkco Music Inc.
Written by: GEORGE EDWARD III PENDERGAST, JOHN ROBERT RICHARDS, RODNEY BROWNING-CRAVENS, SCOTT PRESTON ALEXANDER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind