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.
Profile photo by ASHLittle.
One Thing Left
Edwin McCain Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She said, "Boy don't you look at me like that"
And I said, "No, you know I got no game"
"Oh, but you can love me just the same"
She said "Boy, my mama told me all about boys like you"
"You talk so sweet then you leave me blue"
I said, "No, I'm just sittin' here singing a song"
"Don't want to do nobody wrong"
"You'll find out before long"
Tonight's just all about having fun
Maybe I'll see you when it's done
We'll talk about things that are making you blue
'Til there's one thing left to do
She sat down right in front of the stage
And everybody was so amazed
Put a cigarette right between her lips
Before she could light it, the sax man shot right from the hip
She said, "No, my mama told me all about boys like him"
"Walking around with that sly grin"
"All he wants is a night of sin"
Tonight's just all about having fun
Maybe I'll see you when it's done
We'll talk about what's been making you blue
'Til there's one thing left to do
And I just need some conversation
And I won't tell too many lies
I know it's a sticky situation
But I think I saw that twinkle in your eyes
Tonight's just all about having fun
Maybe I'll see you when it's done
We'll talk about what's making you blue
'Til there's one thing left to do
Well we played till the police closed us down
Drank our drinks till the morning came around
She said, "Boy, everything you told me was true"
"I forgot about my blues, what are you going to do"
I said, "My mama told me all about girls like you"
"Talk a big game and then you leave me blue"
"Is that what you think you're about to do"
She said, "No, I never met a man that's quite like you"
"I think I'm gonna let my mama do the worrying too"
"What you gonna do"
You know tonight was so much fun
And I hate to see it's done
I forgot all my blues
Now there's one thing left to do
This song “One Thing Left” by Edwin McCain is about a man who meets a woman in a bar and tries to convince her that he is not like other guys who just want to play games and leave. She is skeptical, telling him that her mother warned her about men like him. They both then express their desire for some fun and conversation. They spend the night drinking and listening to music until the police arrive and shut down the bar. She then admits that everything he had told her was true and that he had made her forget about her troubles, asking him what they were going to do now.
The opening lines of the song set the stage for the story, with the man tipping his hat to the woman and the woman warning him not to look at her like that. The man then confesses that he has no game, but that she should love him just the same. The woman, however, is cautious and cites her mother's warning about men who talk sweet before leaving women feeling blue. The man assures her that he is not planning to do that.
The chorus of the song centers on the idea that the night is all about having fun, and that they will talk about what is making her blue until there is only one thing left to do, hinting at the possibility of a physical connection. They spend the night in conversation, with the saxophonist providing the soundtrack to their story. They drink and forget about their troubles until the morning comes and they must part ways. However, the woman realizes that the man has made her forget about her woes and is no longer feeling blue.
Line by Line Meaning
She walked in, I tipped my hat
A girl enters and the singer acknowledges her presence.
She said, "Boy don't you look at me like that"
She seems hesitant and doesn't want him to stare at her.
And I said, "No, you know I got no game"
The singer denies having any skill when it comes to flirting.
"Oh, but you can love me just the same"
Despite that limitation, he still believes that someone can love him for who he is.
She said "Boy, my mama told me all about boys like you"
The girl's mother has warned her about guys like the singer.
"You talk so sweet then you leave me blue"
The girl has a perception that the singer is not genuine because he speaks so smoothly and leaves her feeling down after the interaction.
"Is that what you think you're about to do"
She questions him whether he is about to break her heart too.
I said, "No, I'm just sittin' here singing a song"
The singer assures the girl that he's only performing music and not planning to deceive her.
"Don't want to do nobody wrong"
He emphasizes that he has good intentions towards her.
"You'll find out before long"
She will soon realize that he is not like other guys she met before.
Tonight's just all about having fun
Tonight is simply for entertainment purposes, nothing more.
Maybe I'll see you when it's done
If they cross paths afterwards, then perhaps they can talk further.
"We'll talk about things that are making you blue"
If they meet up again, they can discuss the girl's problems.
'Til there's one thing left to do
Until there's one final action to take.
She sat down right in front of the stage
The girl takes a seat near the singer while he performs.
And everybody was so amazed
Everyone at the venue is impressed by her beauty.
Put a cigarette right between her lips
She attempts to light a cigarette.
Before she could light it, the sax man shot right from the hip
The saxophonist immediately starts playing before the girl can light the cigarette.
She said, "No, my mama told me all about boys like him"
She brought up the warning her mother gave her earlier about guys like the saxophonist.
"Walking around with that sly grin"
She describes his facial expression as cunning.
"All he wants is a night of sin"
She assumes that his intentions are purely physical.
And I just need some conversation
The singer needs someone to talk to.
And I won't tell too many lies
The singer promises to be honest.
I know it's a sticky situation
The singer understands that the girl is in a tough spot.
But I think I saw that twinkle in your eyes
He believes that she may be interested in him despite her reservations.
Well we played till the police closed us down
The band played until the authorities shut down the venue.
Drank our drinks till the morning came around
The band stayed up all night drinking.
She said, "Boy, everything you told me was true"
The girl confesses that the singer was truthful in his words.
"I forgot about my blues, what are you going to do"
She admits that she had fun and asks what he will do next.
I said, "My mama told me all about girls like you"
The singer had his own mother's warnings about girls like her.
"Talk a big game and then you leave me blue"
He has dealt with girls who make promises and then let him down.
"Is that what you think you're about to do"
He asks her if she plans on doing the same to him.
She said, "No, I never met a man that's quite like you"
She assures him that he is unique compared to other men she has met.
"I think I'm gonna let my mama do the worrying too"
She will not let herself worry unnecessarily.
"What you gonna do"
She wants to know what he is planning to do next.
You know tonight was so much fun
Both had a great time together.
And I hate to see it's done
The singer is disappointed the night has to end.
I forgot all my blues
The music and company made him forget all his problems.
Now there's one thing left to do
There is one more thing they need to do together.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: EDWIN COLE MC CAIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind