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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I Can't Get Next To You
Edwin McCain Lyrics
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Oh I, you see, I can make it rain when I want it to
I can build a castle with a single grain of sand
Oh I, you see, I can make a ship sail on dry land
Ain't happy with the powers I possess
You're the key to my happiness
Can't get next to you
I can't get next to you, baby
Can't get next to you
I, oh I, I can fly like a bird in the sky
Oh I, I can buy anything that money can buy
I can turn a river into a raging flood
Oh I live forever if I so decide
Ain't happy with the powers I possess
You're the key to my happiness
And I can't get next to you, baby
Can't get next to you
I can't get next to you, baby
Can't get next to you
I, I can turn back the hands of time
You better believe I can
Oh I, I can make the seasons change
Just by waving my hand
I, I can change anything I want
From old to new
Oh I, all the things I want to do the most
I'm unable to do
Unimportant, all these powers I possess
You're the key to my happiness
And I can't get next to you, baby
Can't get next to you
Can't get next to you, baby
Can't get next to you
Can't get next to you, baby
Can't get next to you
Can't get next to you, baby
Can't get next to you
In Edwin McCain's song "I Can't Get Next To You," the singer sings about having incredible powers but not being able to obtain the happiness he desires because he can't be with the person he loves. He describes his extraordinary abilities such as turning a gray sky blue, making it rain, building a castle with a grain of sand, and making a ship sail on dry land. The singer believes that he can do anything he wants, fly like a bird, buy anything he desires, turn a river into a raging flood, and even live forever, but he is unable to be with the one he loves. Despite all his powers, he is unhappy without love. The person he wants to be with holds the key to his happiness.
The song portrays the message that even though someone may possess powerful abilities or have the potential to achieve incredible feats, those things can not replace the significance of having love and companionship in life. There are many things that someone can do, but without the person they love by their side, it is irrelevant. The song highlights the importance of relationships, connections, and love.
Line by Line Meaning
I, oh I, I can turn a gray sky blue
I am powerful and can change bleak circumstances into something positive.
Oh I, you see, I can make it rain when I want it to
I have control over my environment and can manipulate it to my desire.
I can build a castle with a single grain of sand
My abilities are limitless and I can create something grand out of something small.
Oh I, you see, I can make a ship sail on dry land
I have the power to defy gravity and make impossible things happen.
Ain't happy with the powers I possess
Despite my abilities, I am not content with what I can do.
You're the key to my happiness
You are the missing piece that completes me and makes me truly happy.
And I can't get next to you, baby
I am unable to be close to you and it is causing me anguish.
I, oh I, I can fly like a bird in the sky
Once again, I am emphasizing the extent of my powers and abilities.
Oh I, I can buy anything that money can buy
Not only am I powerful, but I am also wealthy and can obtain what I desire with ease.
I can turn a river into a raging flood
I can cause destruction and chaos with the flick of a wrist and the exertion of my powers.
Oh I live forever if I so decide
I am immortal and can choose to live forever if I wish to do so.
Unimportant, all these powers I possess
Despite my abilities, they are meaningless without you by my side.
Can't get next to you, baby
I am still unable to be close to you and it is causing me immense distress.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BARRETT STRONG, NORMAN WHITFIELD, NORMAN J. WHITFIELD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind