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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Promise of You
Edwin McCain Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It sleeps in the air
The air that I breathe
And I know that it's true
Don't have to convince myself to believe
What secrets sleep in the heart of a man
So much love wasted Slip right through my hands
See it in the eyes of the lonely
Shimmer in the eyes of longing
I hear it say
Promise of you
It sleeps in the air
The air that I breathe
And I know that it's true
Don't have to convince myself to believe
To believe...
What secrets sleep in the heart of the night
Dreams of salvation
Slipping out of sight
In the shimmering moments of twilight
Closing up the shine
Whisper on the wind of a rescue
Savior in time
Promise of you
It sleeps in the air
The air that I breathe
And I know that it's true
Don't have to convince myself to believe
All this time
I've been fighting my own private war
All this time
You were the peace I was looking for
The lyrics of Edwin McCain's song "Promise of You" convey the power of love and the longing for a fulfilling relationship. The song speaks of a promise that lingers in the air and the undeniable truth that accompanies it. The opening lines indicate that this promise is something that is so real, it can be sensed in the very air that we breathe. And with that realization comes the knowledge that no further convincing is required to believe in it.
Throughout the lyrics, the song seems to be addressing someone specifically, perhaps a lover or a lost love. The heart of a man and the lonely can be seen to represent the emotions of the writer or even the listener, as they search for the perfect partnership. The song discusses the concept of love wasted and elusive dreams of salvation being painfully out of reach. The chorus repeats the promise that the relationship once held, sleeping in the air with the recognition that it is true.
The idea of the song seems to be that we all search to find that one person that can make us whole, and the "Promise of You" represents the hope that one day we'll find that person. Love can give us the strength we need to keep going, even in the darkest times. This song is a beautiful expression of that hope and the belief that the love we seek is out there.
Line by Line Meaning
Promise of you
Edwin McCain is referring to the idea of the promise of finding someone special.
It sleeps in the air
The idea of finding someone special is tangible, but intangible at the same time.
The air that I breathe
Finding someone special is as essential to life as breathing in air.
And I know that it's true
McCain has faith that he will find that special person.
Don't have to convince myself to believe
Edwin McCain is confident that his feelings are valid and true, and does not need to question his beliefs.
What secrets sleep in the heart of a man
People often have secrets locked away inside themselves, including feelings of love and longing.
So much love wasted Slip right through my hands
McCain has had relationships fail in the past, and realizes that love can be fleeting.
See it in the eyes of the lonely
The desire for companionship is evident in the eyes of people who feel alone.
As they make their weary way
People who are lonely often have a difficult journey.
Shimmer in the eyes of longing
Desire for companionship is reflected in a person's eyes like a shimmering light.
I hear it say
McCain can almost hear the promise of finding someone special calling out to him.
What secrets sleep in the heart of the night
The night is a time when people are more introspective and reflective, and may have secrets hidden within themselves.
Dreams of salvation
People frequently dream about finding salvation or rescue in the form of love.
Slipping out of sight
These dreams often fade away or become obscured from a person's reach.
In the shimmering moments of twilight
Twilight is a fleeting moment between day and night, and may represent a momentary glimpse of hope or possibility.
Closing up the shine
As the twilight fades, so do the feelings of hope and possibility.
Whisper on the wind of a rescue
McCain hears a faint whisper of the promise of finding someone special in the wind.
Savior in time
This special person may serve as a saving grace for McCain when he finds them.
All this time
McCain realizes that he has been searching for someone special for a long time.
I've been fighting my own private war
The search for someone special can be emotionally draining and difficult for McCain.
You were the peace I was looking for
Finding someone special would bring McCain a sense of peace and comfort that he has been seeking.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: EDWIN COLE MC CAIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind