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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Better Story To Tell
Edwin McCain Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Maybe the love on a lifetime, or a living hell
I guess what I'm trying to say is we gotta figure it out
What we're gonna sing about, what we're gonna sing about
Oh yeah, alright
Somebody gonna sing the blues about being done wrong
The pain and the sorrow is too much to overcome
Sing about love
Everybody got a song to sing, they got a story to tell
About the love of your life, or a living hell
I guess what I'm trying to say, we gotta figure it out
We got a choice to make, boy, what you gonna sing about
I saw a little bird with a broken wing
She ain't ever gonna fly but she sure gonna sing
About the blue sky, not about missing out
I wanna be that bird
Raise your voice, close your eyes
And find the melody
Brothers and sisters, let it ring out
What we're gonna sing about
What we're gonna sing about
Yeah, I guess what I'm trying to say
Is what we're gonna sing about, we're gonna sing about
Yeah, yeah
What we're gonna sing about
In Edwin McCain's song "Better Story To Tell," the lyrics reflect the idea that everyone has their own unique experiences and perspectives to share. The opening lines emphasize this by stating that everyone has a song to sing and a story to tell. These stories can range from tales of lifelong love to experiences of pain and suffering. The songwriter suggests that it's important for individuals to figure out what they want to express through their music.
The lyrics also touch upon the idea that certain individuals may choose to focus on the negative aspects of their lives and express their pain through blues music. This highlights the diversity of experiences that people have, ranging from joy to sorrow. However, the songwriter suggests that it's important to choose a positive theme, exemplified by the "one thing he knows: love." This suggests that love should be a foundational inspiration for storytelling and songwriting.
The song further emphasizes the importance of finding one's own voice and using it to share unique experiences. The image of a little bird with a broken wing symbolizes resilience and the determination to keep singing despite the difficulties faced. It serves as a metaphor for finding beauty and hope even in challenging circumstances. The desire to be like that bird expresses a longing for strength and an optimistic outlook on life.
The lyrics conclude with a call to action, urging listeners to raise their voices, close their eyes, and find their own melody. The mention of "brothers and sisters" suggests a sense of unity and community, where music becomes a shared language that connects individuals. Ultimately, the song poses the question of what individuals will choose to sing about. It encourages listeners to find their own stories, experiences, and emotions to express through their music and contribute to the collective tapestry of songs.
Line by Line Meaning
Everybody got a song to sing, they got a story to tell
Each person has a unique perspective to share and experiences to express
Maybe the love on a lifetime, or a living hell
These stories can range from profound love to painful hardships
I guess what I'm trying to say is we gotta figure it out
We need to discover and determine what truly matters to us
What we're gonna sing about, what we're gonna sing about
Deciding what themes and emotions we want to convey through our music
Somebody gonna sing the blues about being done wrong
Certain individuals will express their grievances and heartbreak
The pain and the sorrow is too much to overcome
Their suffering and sadness may seem insurmountable
Then I hear [?] sing about the one thing he knows
However, I hear someone singing passionately about love
Sing about love
Their focus is on celebrating and expressing affection
About the love of your life, or a living hell
Stories may revolve around either deep love or extreme hardship
We got a choice to make, boy, what you gonna sing about
We have the power to decide which direction our music will take
I saw a little bird with a broken wing
Witnessing a vulnerable creature with physical limitations
She ain't ever gonna fly but she sure gonna sing
Despite her inability to fly, she still sings with fervor
About the blue sky, not about missing out
Her focus is on the beauty of the sky, not what she lacks
I wanna be that bird
I aspire to have a positive outlook and make music regardless of limitations
Raise your voice, close your eyes
Let your voice be heard and ignore distractions
And find the melody
Discover the harmonious essence that resonates within you
Brothers and sisters, let it ring out
Encouraging everyone, as a united community, to express their music proudly
Yeah, I guess what I'm trying to say
In conclusion, it seems I'm attempting to convey
Is what we're gonna sing about, we're gonna sing about
That the subject and emotions we choose to sing about greatly matter
Yeah, yeah
Indeed, indeed
What we're gonna sing about
The themes and messages we will express through our music
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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