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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One Thing Left To Do
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
The lyrics of Edwin McCain's song One Thing Left to Do tell the story of a man who meets a woman and tries to reassure her that his intentions are honest. He tells her that he is not looking to hurt her and despite having no game, he will try to make her feel loved. However, the woman has been warned by her mother about men like him who talk sweet but leave her feeling blue. Although the man promises to keep things light and not hurt her, the woman remains hesitant, feeling like he is just looking for a night of sin.
Throughout the night, they talk about what is making her feel blue until there is only one thing left to do. They both exchange their past experiences, knowing that it's a sticky situation but feeling a certain twinkle in their eyes. After a night of playing and drinking, they realize they had fun and forgot about their blues. When the night comes to an end, the woman asks what he is going to do as he tells her that he will not hurt her. The woman agrees, realizing that she has never met a man like him, and they both let go of their worries.
The song tells the story of two people who meet and try to find a connection, despite their apprehensions. The listener can experience the emotions of the characters, showing the complexity of human relationships, and how people can come together, even when there is some resistance.
Line by Line Meaning
She walked in, I tipped my hat
I acknowledged her entrance by respectfully tipping my hat
She said, "Boy don't you look at me like that"
She felt uncomfortable and warned me not to look at her in that way
And I said, "No, you know I got no game"
I admitted that I was not good at flirting
"Oh, but you can love me just the same"
I suggested that she can still love me despite my lack of skills
She said "Boy, my mama told me all about boys like you"
She implied that she had met many guys like me
"You talk so sweet then you leave me blue"
She assumed that I would sweet-talk her and then leave her feeling sad
"Is that what you think you're about to do"
She asked me if that was my intention
I said, "No, I'm just sittin' here singing a song"
I explained that I was just a musician performing on stage
"Don't want to do nobody wrong"
I assured her that I did not intend to hurt anyone
"You'll find out before long"
I hinted that she would have to see for herself
Tonight's just all about having fun
I emphasized that the night was meant to be enjoyable
Maybe I'll see you when it's done
I suggested that we could talk more after the show
We'll talk about things that are making you blue
I proposed that we could discuss the things that were troubling her
'Til there's one thing left to do
I implied that our conversation would lead to something significant
She sat down right in front of the stage
I noticed that she took a seat in front of the performance area
And everybody was so amazed
I observed that everyone was impressed by her beauty and presence
Put a cigarette right between her lips
I noted that she started smoking a cigarette
Before she could light it, the sax man shot right from the hip
I described a sudden interruption in the performance by the saxophonist
She said, "No, my mama told me all about boys like him"
She expressed caution towards the saxophonist, having encountered similar men before
"Walking around with that sly grin"
She suggested that his smile was deceptive
"All he wants is a night of sin"
She claimed that the saxophonist only desired a sinful night
And I just need some conversation
I stated my desire for a simple conversation with her
And I won't tell too many lies
I promised not to deceive or mislead her
I know it's a sticky situation
I acknowledged the challenges of our social interaction
But I think I saw that twinkle in your eyes
I believed that I read a positive expression in her eyes
Well we played till the police closed us down
The performance continued until it was shut down by the authorities
Drank our drinks till the morning came around
We consumed our beverages until dawn
Now there's one thing left to do
I referred to a significant action that we needed to take
She said, "Boy, everything you told me was true"
She admitted that everything I said was accurate
"I forgot about my blues, what are you going to do"
She realized that she had forgotten her worries and asked for my plan
I said, "My mama told me all about girls like you"
I joked that my mother had informed me about girls like her
"Talk a big game and then you leave me blue"
I suggested that she had talked confidently but was now going to upset me
"Is that what you think you're about to do"
I asked her if she planned to disappoint me
"No, I never met a man that's quite like you"
She declared that I was a unique and appealing individual
"I think I'm gonna let my mama do the worrying too"
She joked that her mother was better equipped to worry about her relationships
"What you gonna do"
She asked for my intentions
And I hate to see it's done
I expressed my sadness that the night was ending
I forgot all my blues
I acknowledged that the night was a great distraction from my personal issues
Now there's one thing left to do
I repeated the statement from earlier, building anticipation for the upcoming action
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: EDWIN COLE MC CAIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind