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
Somewhere in the Middle
Dishwalla Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I saw you in your big black car
And I was waving as you were passing
'Cause I know who you are
You had this look, that of an angel
It was such a bad disguise
Did you think for a second I would not realize?
'Cause I can't stand up
And I can't fall down
'Cause I'm somewhere in the middle of this
I was out the other night
And I saw you so we had a fight
It was late and I was lonely
And its such a long way home
So I asked you if you'd join me
For a single last call drink
So you turned and bought us 2
And you didn't even blink
You had this look, that of an angel
It was such a bad disguise
When you drink it makes you angry
When I drink I want you more and more and more
Tripping hard falling down onto the ground
'Cause I can't stand up
And I can't fall down
And I'm somewhere in the middle of this
Well I find it hard
I always tried to find the sane life
But I don't like the way things are
And I keep falling to my knees
Somewhere in the middle of this.
In Dishwalla's song "Somewhere in the Middle," the singer is reminiscing about a recent encounter with someone they care about. The first verse describes the singer waving to the person in their big black car, acknowledging that they recognize them despite their attempt at a bad disguise. The second verse describes a later interaction between the two that results in a fight, but ends with the two of them sharing a drink. The singer confesses to being unable to resist their attraction to this person, even though it only seems to bring them pain.
The chorus, "Tripping hard falling down onto the ground, 'cause I can't stand up and I can't fall down, 'cause I'm somewhere in the middle of this," captures the emotional confusion the singer feels. They are unable to move forward or let go of their feelings for this person, but they also can't fully commit to them or the relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
I was out the other day
I was outside one day
And I saw you in your big black car
I saw you in your car that is big and black
And I was waving as you were passing
I waved at you as you drove by
'Cause I know who you are
Because I know your identity
You had this look, that of an angel
You had a face that resembled that of an angel
It was such a bad disguise
Your attempt to not be recognized was unconvincing
Did you think for a second I would not realize?
Did you truly believe that I would not recognize you?
Tripping hard falling down onto the ground
I am losing control and falling to the ground
'Cause I can't stand up
Because I am unable to stand on my feet
And I can't fall down
And I am also unable to fall completely to the ground
'Cause I'm somewhere in the middle of this
Because I am stuck in a state between standing and falling
I was out the other night
I was outside at night another time
And I saw you so we had a fight
Upon seeing you, we ended up arguing
It was late and I was lonely
It was a late hour and I was feeling alone
And its such a long way home
And the distance to travel back home is quite far
So I asked you if you'd join me
So I asked if you would accompany me
For a single last call drink
To drink together before the establishment's closing time
So you turned and bought us 2
You bought drinks for both of us
And you didn't even blink
You did it without hesitation
When you drink it makes you angry
Alcohol causes you to become upset
When I drink I want you more and more and more
When I consume alcohol, I desire you to a greater extent
Well I find it hard
I struggle with
I always tried to find the sane life
I constantly searched for a stable and reasonable lifestyle
But I don't like the way things are
However, I am unsatisfied with the current situation
And I keep falling to my knees
And I repeatedly fall to the ground
Somewhere in the middle of this.
I am still caught in this state between standing and falling
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Psychopompous Katana
One of my fave bands, old school music is still the best for me..great melodies and lyrics.
JR Richards Official Orig. Singer DISHWALLA
+Roselle Labagday Thanks Roselle :)
Erika Kate Incorporado
This is my favorite song in high school and I must say that it never gets old. I still love it. 👌💯
Angelo Prieto
18 years ago since i heard this epic song and 2021 still my number 1 song in my whole playlist
Vinrey Tan
Thank you Dishwalla! Forever grateful of your epic songs! Surely my teenage years are awesome!
Dave
awesome band seriously .. awesome live, awesome singer, lyrics, melody ..
JR Richards Official Orig. Singer DISHWALLA
+DaYLalunaperdida Thank you for listening :)
mhiekay mira miea
Never gets old...One of d best since high school days..🤟🤟🤟
John Legend
love this song, it makes my day complete everytime i hear it!.
metallic chains
I used to hear this a lot when I was younger, I'm 13 now and love this!! Great band