Frankenreiter started playing in the group, Peanut Butter and Jam, at the age of 18. In 1996 he began to seriously pursue a musical career when he formed the band Sunchild. In Sunchild, Frankenreiter was the lead guitar player but did not sing. The band had a 70s rock sound similar in style to The Black Crowes. They released their first CD, Barefoot & Live, on Surfdog Records in 1997. Produced by Gary Hoey, the live album featured covers of The Allman Brothers Band, The Marshall Tucker Band, The Rolling Stones, and Van Morrison, as well as several originals. California Honey followed in 2000 on their own Sunchild Records. This studio album is now out-of-print. Sunchild disbanded in 2001 and Frankenreiter went on to pursue a solo career.
In 2002, Frankenreiter signed with Brushfire Records. His self-titled solo album, Donavon Frankenreiter, was recorded with co-producers Jack Johnson and Mario Caldato Jr. Johnson appears on the album, as do G. Love and Eels member Koool G. Murder. The album was released in April 2004 in Australia due to his high profile in that country from his support gigs for Jack Johnson and from Frankenreiter’s own surfing career. He toured Australia in April 2004, helping the album reach the top forty of the ARIA albums chart. Gary Jules was his support act on this tour. The album was released in the United States one month later, on 11 May 2004.
In 2006, Frankenreiter left Brushfire Records and signed with Lost Highway Records, home of such notable artists as Elvis Costello, Ryan Adams and Willie Nelson. His follow-up album, Move by Yourself, was released on June 6, 2006. Soon afterwards Donavon recorded a song called "Lovely Day" with Koool G., which was featured on the soundtracks to two films, Snakes on a Plane that same year and Georgia Rule in 2007.
In 2010 Donavon parted ways with Lost Highway Records and formed his own label, Liquid Tambourine Records. He subsequently recorded and released his fourth studio album of original material entitled "Glow", which was produced by Mark Weinberg.
In early 2012, Donavon cut ties with band mates Eric Brigmond, Craig Barnette, and Pete Winders, but maintained ties with original band member Matt Grundy.
www.donavonf.com
Differently The Same
Donavon Frankenreiter Lyrics
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As light fills my eyes
Just the beginning of another day
Just not in the same way
Don't think about what you could've done
Cause tommorow is gonna come
It'll hit ya, dare I near say
It feels like yesterday
Differently the same
Differently the same
Differently the same
Make a mark but don't make it deep
Just in case you climb too steep
Don't forget about what you said
Don't wait too long before tommorows dead
Something tells me theres more to see
I don't know maybe its just me
Could be you, could be me
I don't know I just let it be
Differently the same
What about in the middle of the night?
Everybody sees dark but I see light
I don't know maybe its just me
Something tells me theres more to see
I don't ever wanna say goodbye
Theres no reason just makes me cry
To see you walk away
Makes me wonder what to say
Differently the same
How do you say goodbye to your wife?
Just like saying goodbye to my life
So remember when you said goodbye
You asked me why I didn't cry
That was because I was short of breathe
Never felt so close to death
I don't ever wanna go through that again
Ah no my friend
Differently the same
The lyrics of Donavon Frankenreiter's "Differently The Same" talk about the beauty of each new day, the importance of not dwelling on the past and anticipating what's to come in the future. The first verse talks about the beauty of the morning, how the purple sky mesmerizes and the new light fills the eyes. Although it's just the beginning of another day, it feels different because it's a new start. The lyrics urge us to not think about what one could have done or what they have missed because tomorrow is another day that comes with its own opportunities and challenges. The chorus repeats the phrase "differently the same," indicating that each day is indeed similar to the last, but still different in its own way.
The second verse continues with the theme of taking risks but being cautious. One should make their mark but not go too deep, just in case the climb becomes too steep. It emphasizes not forgetting what one has said and not waiting too long before tomorrow is too late. The lyrics suggest that there is more to see and experience, and one should be open to new possibilities, even if they don't know what lies ahead. The meaning behind "differently the same" is reinforced throughout the song, emphasizing that each new experience is just a variation of the previous ones.
The last verse discusses the fear of loss and saying goodbye. It talks about how parting from someone close can be as scary as letting go of one's life. The lyrics suggest that there is no right way to say goodbye, and it can be as difficult as facing death. It implores us to remember the moments we shared with our loved ones and cherish them, as they might be fleeting. The song ends with a repeated chorus of "differently the same," giving us the overarching message that life is a cycle of repeating experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
Purple sky seems to mesmerize
The purple sky is captivating and enchanting
As light fills my eyes
The light of the new day is refreshing and invigorating
Just the beginning of another day
The start of a new day brings endless possibilities
Just not in the same way
Every day is unique and different from the last
Don't think about what you could've done
Do not dwell on the past or missed opportunities
Cause tommorow is gonna come
The future holds new opportunities and experiences
It'll hit ya, dare I near say
The future will bring unexpected challenges and joys
It feels like yesterday
Time flies and memories stay fresh
Make a mark but don't make it deep
Make a difference but not one that will be detrimental in the long run
Just in case you climb too steep
Don't take on too much and risk failure
Don't forget about what you said
Remember your promises and commitments
Don't wait too long before tommorows dead
Seize the moment before it is too late
Something tells me theres more to see
The future holds infinite possibilities
I don't know maybe its just me
I could be wrong or it could be intuition
Could be you, could be me
Everyone has their own journey to pursue
I don't know I just let it be
I am content with not knowing and letting it unfold
What about in the middle of the night?
What happens in the quiet moments of solitude?
Everybody sees dark but I see light
Even in darkness, there is hope and light to be found
I don't ever wanna say goodbye
The thought of parting ways is painful
Theres no reason just makes me cry
It is an emotional response without logical explanation
To see you walk away
The act of leaving is difficult to watch
Makes me wonder what to say
It is hard to find the right words in such a situation
How do you say goodbye to your wife?
Parting ways with someone so close is heart-wrenching
Just like saying goodbye to my life
The person leaving is an integral part of my life
So remember when you said goodbye
The farewell was significant and worth remembering
You asked me why I didn't cry
The departure was so sudden that grief was delayed
That was because I was short of breathe
The separation was so emotionally overwhelming that it was hard to express
Never felt so close to death
The pain of loss was so intense that it felt like dying
I don't ever wanna go through that again
The experience was too painful to repeat
Ah no my friend
The thought of reliving the loss is unbearable and impossible
Differently the same
Life is always new and different, yet still familiar and constant
Differently the same
Despite the changes and variations, some things remain consistent
Differently the same
It is a paradox of life that things can be both different and the same
Contributed by Ian P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.