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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Let It Slide
Edwin McCain Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dark like a Kennedy's veil,
Shaky like them motorcycle lights,
Leading all them angels at hell,
I gave out my very last dime,
Laid out the bartenders all in a line,
We weren't fighting, we just drank 'em out of time,
Down at Printer's Alley,
[Chorus]
So let the poets be poets and the cops just give us a ride,
We ain't worried about your hands of time,
Just let it slide,
And let it slide,
You know Elvis said only two things were certain Hookers and Coupe Devilles,
Messing with that old boy down at the pool hall surely get your young ass killed,
I'm too tired for fighting,
I'd rather wear myself out with a smile,
We'll stay up with some good bar stores,
Beat up time for a while,
[Chorus]
So let the poets be poets and the cops just give us a ride,
We ain't worried about your hands of time,
Just let it slide,
And let it slide,
Oh you know it's nights like these,
I get down on my knees,
And pray the Lord the sun won't shine,
'Till I'm done having my big time,
[Chorus]
So let the poets be poets and the cops just give us a ride,
We ain't worried about your hands of time,
Just let it slide,
And let it slide.
The lyrics to Edwin McCain's song "Let It Slide" convey a feeling of reckless abandonment and a desire to live in the moment without fear of the consequences. The first verse sets the scene in "Dreary Memphis" on a "city night" that is "Dark like a Kennedy's veil" (a reference to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and the veil worn by his widow, Jacqueline Kennedy). The use of the simile suggests a sense of foreboding and the potential for danger. The "motorcycle lights" mentioned in the lyrics are also a symbol of rebelliousness and nonconformity, leading a group of "angels at hell." The singer then recounts how he spent his last dime on drinks at a bar in Printer's Alley, and how they drank until the bartenders were "laid out...in a line." Despite the heavy drinking, there was no violence or fighting, just a sense of camaraderie and living in the moment.
The chorus of the song serves as a refrain that reinforces the carefree attitude expressed in the verses. The singer urges the listener to let go of their worries and fears, and just "let it slide." The reference to Elvis Presley and his quote about "Hookers and Coupe Devilles" is a nod to the excess and indulgence of the rock and roll lifestyle. The singer warns that "messing with that old boy down at the pool hall" could get someone killed, but he himself is too tired for fighting and would rather enjoy the night with good company and "some good bar stores." The final verse expresses a desire to keep the night going and the joy and freedom that comes from living in the moment.
Line by Line Meaning
Dreary Memphis city night,
Describing a bleak and depressing evening in Memphis, Tennessee.
Dark like a Kennedy's veil,
Comparing the darkness to the heavy veil worn by Jacqueline Kennedy at JFK's funeral.
Shaky like them motorcycle lights,
The flickering motorcycle lights create an unstable and jittery atmosphere.
Leading all them angels at hell,
The suggestion that the motorcycles are led by angels highlights a sense of chaos and danger.
I gave out my very last dime,
The artist has no money left to spend.
Laid out the bartenders all in a line,
The singer and their friends have been drinking so much that they've exhausted the bartenders' supply.
We weren't fighting, we just drank 'em out of time,
Clarifying that the group was not causing trouble, but instead they simply drank up all the alcohol.
Down at Printer's Alley,
Referring to a popular destination for nightlife in Nashville, Tennessee.
So let the poets be poets and the cops just give us a ride,
Asking law enforcement to let them continue their revelry without interference.
We ain't worried about your hands of time,
The group is not concerned about the passage of time or the responsibilities they have to attend to.
Just let it slide,
Urging others to let them have their fun without consequence or judgment.
You know Elvis said only two things were certain Hookers and Coupe Devilles,
Referencing Elvis Presley's quote about the inevitability of prostitutes and luxury cars.
Messing with that old boy down at the pool hall surely get your young ass killed,
Two different activities that lead to trouble are being identified: fighting at a pool hall could result in serious injury or even death.
I'm too tired for fighting,
The singer is too exhausted for violence or conflict.
I'd rather wear myself out with a smile,
The singer prefers to expend their energy and emotions in a more positive way.
We'll stay up with some good bar stores,
The group will continue drinking at the bar in order to avoid going to bed too early.
Beat up time for a while,
The artist and their friends plan to have a wild and memorable night.
Oh you know it's nights like these,
Suggesting that these types of nights are rare and should be enjoyed to the fullest.
I get down on my knees,
Expressing gratitude for the opportunity to experience such a fun and exciting night.
And pray the Lord the sun won't shine,
Desiring to keep the night going for as long as possible.
'Till I'm done having my big time,
The artist wants to keep partying until they've had their fill.
Just let it slide,
Repeating the chorus as a reminder to let them enjoy their night without hindrance.
And let it slide.
Encouraging others to ignore their behavior and let them continue to have a good time.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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