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.
Thirty Pieces
Edwin McCain Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Deep inside our souls
How did we betray our imagination
Watching our futures unfold
Without a whisper for fear of intrusion
We have to see how this part ends
Time out for commercials
But our generation's angry
We're so scared that we can't see
The answer right inside of us
If we can find the place in our hearts
Where we're all free
Does it see that time works against us
Or does it just march on and on and on
Sometimes it drives me crazy
Proving Nostradamus wrong, so wrong
But we still have secret silos with buttons,
Codes and keys
We can avert this awful disaster
If we find the place in our hearts
Where we're all free
And what a tall order
Far be it for me to say
Maybe I'll try a little harder
Starting here today
Or just throw in the towel
Lay down five up the ghost
And join all the cynics
Luckier than most
Maybe I'll check out with a bullet
Would you think less of me
Or would it frighten you enough
Would it rattle you enough
Would it frighten you enough to...
Find the place in our hearts
Where we're all free
The lyrics to Edwin McCain's song "Thirty Pieces" touch on the concept of how society has been betrayed into following a certain path that does not allow for imagination or free thinking. The "Thirty Pieces of silver screen" refer to movies and other media that have shaped the way we view ourselves and the world. The song suggests that we have become so scared and angry that we can no longer see the answer that lies within us. The only way to solve this problem is to find a place in our hearts where we can become free and break away from the constraints put upon us by society.
The lyrics also seem to suggest that time is working against us, and that we must act quickly if we want to avert any potential disasters. Although there is still hope, it will require effort and consciousness from us. The singer acknowledges that this is a tall order, but it is one that he is willing to work towards. The song leaves us pondering whether we are brave enough to find that place in our hearts where we can be free and live a life of our choosing.
Line by Line Meaning
Thirty Pieces of silver screen
The entertainment industry, filled with movies and TV shows, has a grip on our society and has infiltrated our minds.
Deep inside our souls
The impact is not just on the surface. It has seeped into our very souls, affecting our thought processes and actions subconsciously.
How did we betray our imagination
As a result of the constant influence of media, we have given up on using our imagination. We have started to believe only what we see on screen.
Watching our futures unfold
What we watch on screen has started to shape our idea of what the future could be, limiting our imagination and choices.
Without a whisper for fear of intrusion
We are hesitant to voice our opinions and ideas in fear of not conforming with what is shown on screen or being judged by others.
We have to see how this part ends
With media having such a grip on us, we have no choice but to see how it plays out, without our own individual thought processes and choices coming into play.
Time out for commercials
Media is not just about entertaining us, but also about selling products and services to us.
Time out to be good friends
We need relationships and human connections to combat the negative impact of media.
But our generation's angry
The younger generation is frustrated and upset with the current state of things, with media and society not being conducive to their growth and development.
We're so scared that we can't see
The fear of not fitting in or being judged is so great that we are unable to see things clearly or think independently.
The answer right inside of us
The solution to our problems lies within us and our own ability to think and see beyond the influence of media.
If we can find the place in our hearts
We need to search within ourselves, find the strength and courage to stand up and think for ourselves, to affect change.
Where we're all free
The ultimate goal is to be free, to have our own thoughts, ideas, and choices that are not influenced by external factors such as media.
Does it see that time works against us
Time may seem like it's running out for us to make a change, to rid ourselves of the negative impact of media.
Or does it just march on and on and on
Time marches on, whether we make changes or not. We need to start taking action now before it's too late.
Sometimes it drives me crazy
The frustration of being unable to make a change can be overwhelming and mentally draining.
Proving Nostradamus wrong, so wrong
The future is not set in stone, and we have the power to make changes for the better.
But we still have secret silos with buttons, Codes and keys
Despite the destructive power we have at our fingertips, we also have the knowledge and tools to prevent disaster.
We can avert this awful disaster
We have the potential to prevent catastrophic events, but that requires change and action now.
And what a tall order
It seems like an impossible task to rid ourselves of the influence of media and start thinking for ourselves.
Far be it for me to say
As an individual, I may not have the answer or know exactly how to go about making a change.
Maybe I'll try a little harder
Despite the difficulties, I need to try harder and continue trying to make a positive impact.
Starting here today
Change starts with me, and it starts now.
Or just throw in the towel
I could choose to give up and accept the negative impact of media on my life.
Lay down five up the ghost
To give up and accept defeat would essentially mean death of the individual spirit and creativity.
And join all the cynics
Giving up and accepting the negative impact of media would mean joining the rest of society that has lost their individuality and creativity.
Luckier than most
To join in and give up on creativity would essentially mean taking the easy way out and not fighting for freedom of thought.
Maybe I'll check out with a bullet
Suicide seems like a better option than living life without creativity and independent thought.
Would you think less of me
Suicide is often looked down upon in society, and the individual may be judged for choosing to take that path.
Or would it frighten you enough
Perhaps by taking such drastic measures, people would finally wake up to the destructive impact of media and the need for freedom of thought.
Would it rattle you enough
The negative effects of media and society have become so normalized that it takes a drastic measure to shake people into action.
Would it frighten you enough to...
Suicide or drastic action may be the only way to wake people up to the need for change and freedom of thought.
Find the place in our hearts
The key to change and freedom is within us, and it is up to us to find it.
Where we're all free
Freedom of thought and independent ideas is the ultimate goal and the only way to combat the negative impact of media on our society.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: EDWIN COLE MC CAIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind