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.
Uncharted
Edwin McCain Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lord, I knew, lay off the land
And I want to show you the [Incomprehensible] and the flight
The smell of the suckle bloom deep in the night
It used to be home but it doesn't feel right without you
Uncharted Carolina
I was born here, it's my California
Want you to come where the heat and the humor is dry
Dreams are set up to a cruel blue sky
I picture you're here and I'm lookin' at mine
Uncharted California
We could live here
In uncharted California
We could live here
Uncharted Carolina
I wish you could see what this place is to me
I could show you the moments of my memories
And all of my family's so happy to see you
And I understand how you wanting me there
But I'll make it so worth it if you let me tear you away
Bring you to me and find a home, home
Oh, uncharted Carolina
(Uncharted California)
Uncharted Carolina
(Uncharted California)
Uncharted Carolina
(Uncharted California)
The song "Uncharted" by Edwin McCain is a nostalgic tribute to the two places that have had a significant impact on his life, namely Carolina and California. It's a song about the longing for the past and the desire to share that experience with a loved one. He sings about the memories and moments he's had in each of the locations, from the smell of the honeysuckle blooms in Carolina to the cruel blue sky in California. The chorus indicates that he would love for his loved one to experience these places with him, to make a new home together.
The lyrics are well crafted, and the imagery used is quite evocative. The idea of an uncharted place is interesting because it implies potential and opportunity. The song suggests that even though he's lived there for his entire life, there's still so much to be discovered, seen and felt. And while he's familiar with the land, it's not complete without the person he's singing to.
Line by Line Meaning
I was born here, it's my Carolina
I am from Carolina and it's where I was born
Lord, I knew, lay off the land
I have a good understanding of the land and how to use it
And I want to show you the [Incomprehensible] and the flight
I want to share the beauty and excitement of this place with you
The smell of the suckle bloom deep in the night
The scent of flowers in the night is so wonderful
It used to be home but it doesn't feel right without you
This used to be home for me, but it doesn't feel like it anymore without you
Uncharted Carolina
This place is unfamiliar and new to both of us
I was born here, it's my California
I am from California and it's where I was born
I thought I knew lay off this land
I believed I had knowledge of using the land, but it's a new and unexplored place
Want you to come where the heat and the humor is dry
I want you to experience the dry heat and humor of this place
Dreams are set up to a cruel blue sky
The blue sky seems almost cruel because it is so vast and without boundaries
I picture you're here and I'm lookin' at mine
I can imagine you being here with me and it makes everything better
We could live here
This could be our new home
I wish you could see what this place is to me
I wish you could understand how important and special this place is to me
I could show you the moments of my memories
I could share my memories and experiences with you
And all of my family's so happy to see you
My family would be delighted to meet you and have you here
And I understand how you wanting me there
I know you want me to be with you
But I'll make it so worth it if you let me tear you away
I promise to make it worth your while if you let me convince you to come here with me
Bring you to me and find a home, home
I want to bring you here with me and make a new home together
Oh, uncharted Carolina (Uncharted California)
This place is new and exciting, and we are both exploring it together
Uncharted Carolina (Uncharted California)
This place is new and exciting, and we are both exploring it together
Uncharted Carolina (Uncharted California)
This place is new and exciting, and we are both exploring it together
Contributed by Joshua J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.