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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Darwin's Children
Edwin McCain Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Of gossamer and protein still we haven't learned a thing
Are we caught up in our anger, locked up in our rage
In the opera of selection on this our earthly stage
And Charlie's spinning laughing, laughing in his grave
Laughing at the prophecy, the prophecy he gave
Can we spread our wings like angels, can we break out of the grind
The ribbons of our cigarettes vanish in the air
In the glow of our great teacher we sit and blankly stare
And the sky could open up and what would we have to say
Something cute about burning out, better than fading away
And Charlie's spinning laughing, laughing in his grave
Laughing at the prophecy, the prophecy he gave
Can we spread our wings like angels, can we break out of the grind
Are we destined to be Darwin's children this time
On the wings of invention now we hurdle toward our fate
As sure as the sunset burns
Collective resignation, evolutionary fate
When will we ever learn
And Charlie's spinning laughing, laughing in his grave
Laughing at the prophecy, the prophecy he gave
Can we spread our wings like angels, can we break out of the grind
Are we destined to be Darwin's children this time
Edwin McCain's song "Darwin's Children" delves into the concept of humanity's progress and development throughout the years. The first stanza touches upon the irony that despite seven million years of evolution, humanity has not progressed much beyond its primal instincts. The use of "silver wings of gossamer and protein" alludes to the idea that the human body is capable of immense innovation, yet our actions do not entirely reflect that potential. The lines "are we caught up in our anger, locked up in our rage in the opera of selection on this our earthly stage" highlight the internal conflicts and negative emotions that humanity must overcome to progress further.
The song then refers to Charles Darwin, the famous naturalist and biologist, who is "spinning laughing, laughing in his grave" because of the self-serving prophecy he gave of humanity. The belief in natural selection and evolution as a seamless process is questioned by McCain, who wonders if humans will ever break out of the cycle of frustration, anger, and conflict, and elevate to a higher level of consciousness.
In the final stanza, the song speaks of the advancements we have made in the fields of technology and science, which only lend greater momentum towards a collective fate. However, McCain still questions whether humanity's reliance and trust in these advancements are enough to make us break free from Darwin's prophecy about our ultimate destiny.
Line by Line Meaning
Seven million years of progress handed down on silver wings
Despite millions of years of evolution, we still haven't progressed much.
Of gossamer and protein still we haven't learned a thing
We have not learned from the basic building blocks of life.
Are we caught up in our anger, locked up in our rage
Are we too blinded by our emotions to move forward?
In the opera of selection on this our earthly stage
The natural selection process on earth is like a grand opera.
And Charlie's spinning laughing, laughing in his grave
Charles Darwin would find it amusing how little we have learned.
Laughing at the prophecy, the prophecy he gave
Darwin's prediction of evolution still holds true today.
Can we spread our wings like angels, can we break out of the grind
Can we rise above our current state and evolve into something better?
Are we destined to be Darwin's children this time
Will we continue to evolve and become better versions of ourselves?
On the wings of invention now we hurdle toward our fate
Our progress is now driven by technological advancements.
As sure as the sunset burns
Our fate is just as inevitable as the sunset.
Collective resignation, evolutionary fate
We are collectively resigned to our fate of evolution.
When will we ever learn
When will we finally learn from our mistakes and move forward?
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: EDWIN COLE MC CAIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind