After signing a contract with the Atlantic Records label Lava Records in 1994, his first major-label album, Honor Among Thieves, was issued in 1995. His second album, Misguided Roses, spawned I'll Be, a major single in 1998. Two more albums (Messenger and Far from Over) followed, but at the end of 2001, he split from Lava. In 2003 he released a collection of acoustic versions of songs both old and new called The Austin Sessions via ATC Records, a Nashville-based independent record label (at which McCain was the first artist signed following its creation in 2001). Mid-2004 saw the arrival of his first studio album in three years, entitled Scream & Whisper, which was released on another indie label, DRT Entertainment.
He has released two DVDs to date. The first was through ATC records in late 2002, called Mile Marker: Songs and Stories from the Acoustic Highway, and it consisted of interviews, live performances, and other material. The other was in late 2004, Tinsel & Tap Shoes. It was his first live concert DVD, recorded at The House of Blues in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
A new CD was released in April, 2006 titled, Lost in America. Edwin recently signed a contract with Vanguard Records. This album (#8) is said to be a true "rock 'n roll" collection.
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America Street
Edwin McCain Lyrics
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Sign on the street post tells me which way I should go
Riding down America Street funny that it's one way
Riding down from uptown to where the buildings are broken down in decay
America Street it's right nearby
Land of the free and the brave
If we can't work and make some change
There won't be much of this land left to save
We watch while our deficit grows
What a shame that we can't teach our kids to read
Makes you wonder where all the tax money goes
Well America Street it's right nearby
Land of the free and the brave
And if we can't work and make some change
There won't be much of this land left to save
Won't be much to save
Excuse me sir pardon me can you spare some change
Because it's cold and I live outside
A thoughtful search into my pockets finds enough so he can rocket
Right up to the bar and enjoy his lie
America Street it's right nearby
Land of the free and the brave
And if we can't work and make some change
There won't be much of this land left to save
Won't be much to save
The song "America Street" by Edwin McCain addresses the struggles faced by ordinary Americans as well as the neglect of the country's infrastructure. It begins with a depiction of a typical urban landscape, where the singer is riding down the street and following the directions. At the same time, the deteriorating buildings on the street point to the challenges that exist in American society. The song highlights the fact that America is supposed to be "land of the free and the brave," but that reality does not always live up to that promise. Despite this, Americans should strive to make a change, and work towards ensuring that there is something left worth saving.
Line by Line Meaning
Rubber on my tires making contact with the road
The singer is driving and can feel the tires gripping the pavement beneath him.
Sign on the street post tells me which way I should go
The singer is following directions from the street signs around him to reach his destination.
Riding down America Street funny that it's one way
The singer is traveling down a road named America Street, which has a strange directional layout of being only one-way.
Riding down from uptown to where the buildings are broken down in decay
The artist is driving through a part of town that is less well-kept and more run-down.
America Street it's right nearby
The artist is close to America Street, the road he has been describing.
Land of the free and the brave
America is known to be a country where its citizens enjoy a freedom and bravery.
If we can't work and make some change
The singer believes it is up to everyone to put forth effort and bring about positive change in America.
There won't be much of this land left to save
If people in America continue to neglect taking care of their own country, it may be destroyed beyond repair.
It's a classic case of misdirection and slight of hand
The artist thinks that the government is deceiving its citizens through distraction and sleight of hand to hide their true intentions.
We watch while our deficit grows
America's debt keeps getting larger, and the artist feels powerless to stop it.
What a shame that we can't teach our kids to read
The singer thinks it's a tragedy that children in America are not receiving the education they deserve.
Makes you wonder where all the tax money goes
The artist is questioning why so much of the taxes paid by citizens do not appear to be going toward improving the country.
Excuse me sir pardon me can you spare some change
The singer encounters a homeless man and asks if he can give him some money.
Because it's cold and I live outside
The homeless man explains that he needs the money to survive in the harsh winter weather.
A thoughtful search into my pockets finds enough so he can rocket
The singer gives the homeless man some money, enough to lift his spirits and allow him to have some fun at a bar.
Right up to the bar and enjoy his lie
With the money the artist gave him, the homeless man goes to a bar to enjoy himself for a while, escaping his difficult reality.
And if we can't work and make some change
The artist reiterates that it is important for everyone to contribute to making a positive change in America, instead of just watching from the sidelines.
Won't be much to save
If America is not protected and cared for, there won't be much left that is worth saving.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: EDWIN COLE MC CAIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind