Stephenson is best known as a music producer and songwriter; He co-produced Beck's 1993 album "Mellow Gold" and co-wrote the album's hit single "Loser".
Started by Carl Stephenson in 1993, Forest for the Trees has produced only a single full length album during its duration. Self-titled, the album was released in 1997 after being delayed by a nervous breakdown that kept Stephenson from working on it for several years. Forest for the Trees produced only one single of note entitled "Dream". Forest for the Trees was comprised of many musicians, including John "coz" Acosta, Beck, Papa Bear Martinez, Mark Petersen, Jasper & Amadeus amongst others. One album remains unreleased, which being shelved by the now-defunct DreamWorks Records.
Carl Stephenson (also known as Karl Stephenson), is a well-known producer of hip-hop music (Ghetto Boyz, College Boyz, MC Skat KAt) as well as Alternative Rock bands (Beck, devices). His success was assured in co-writing the international hit 'Loser' from Beck's debut album 'Mellow Gold' as well as assuring production duties and co-writing several other songs with the artist. He also has his own group, an organic conglomerate known as Forest for the Trees on DreamWorks Records. "Dream" is an eclectic work of Multicultural diversity. Carl Stephenson is definitely an artist whose music was before its time. Will Dream or Forest for the Trees be re released in the next few years? One could only hope because there is a wealth of musicians than can learn from the master mixing styles of Carl Stephenson. As far as some of his new projects one of his newest singles includes music from The Young and Elderly Music Recycling Stand Band. The song "I Like to Recycle," is one song out of a brilliant collection of songs regarding the environment. It is featured on a collaborative album with several famous artists. Carl Stephenson is working on several projects with several different artists and bands including The Papa Bear Band, RedBone, Squeaky G from the College Boys and Housewives On Prozac. Carl is infamous for his collaborative endeavors and his altruistic nature. He is also working on a collaborative album to help fund projects for the The Tree Of Life Guardianship, which is a fairly new non profit organization which is aiding in the conservation and preservation of indigenous cultures.
Tree
Forest for the Trees Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
moving from this house of fear
as the quiet thunder roar
I have passed the final door
walking further into darkness
trying hard to love the night
as the tunnel turns and twists
is there ever more than this?
minds enshrouded yet in haze
Seeing double all the time
in the end we share our mind
with the maker of this time
and the space that comes between
is no distance after all
Hey tree - won't you talk to me
I can see you breathing
open your eyes
all ready to see
greater revelation
from a mere tree
Come down
here's my silver cord.
Let me take you
to my veins, let you touch the sun
feel the sky
Trees loves us so talk to her
about love of life and sacrifice
mother mother love for all of us, yah
shower and flower
your sweet nurturing power
so that we can be and breathe
freely
The lyrics describe the singer's journey towards personal growth and enlightenment, as they metaphorically move away from their "house of fear" towards the darkness, represented by the tunnel that turns and twists. The singer questions whether there is more to life than this, and if we can hope to leave the maze of our minds enshrouded yet in haze. The chorus addresses a tree, with the singer marveling at the tree's ability to breathe and see, and asking it to transport them to greater revelations. The tree is personified, with the singer referring to it as "her" and asking to talk about the love of life and sacrifice, and the sweet nurturing power that allows us to breathe freely.
The lyrics are multi-layered and can be interpreted in various ways. The tree can represent nature, the universe, or a person with wisdom, all of which can provide guidance towards personal growth and enlightenment. The reference to the "maker of time" and "the space that comes between" implies a spiritual aspect, suggesting that our physical existence is just one part of a larger cosmic plan.
Line by Line Meaning
In the end I disappear
I eventually vanish and leave this existence behind
moving from this house of fear
I am leaving a place that was filled with terror
as the quiet thunder roar
There is a massive sound that is not loud
I have passed the final door
I have gone through the last gate
walking further into darkness
I keep proceeding deeper into the absence of light
trying hard to love the night
I am making an effort to embrace the darkness
as the tunnel turns and twists
The path ahead is not straight and bends a lot
is there ever more than this?
I question if there is anything beyond what I am experiencing
Can we hope to leave the maze
Is there any possibility of escaping this labyrinth?
minds enshrouded yet in haze
Our minds are still clouded and unclear
Seeing double all the time
We are constantly witnessing two of everything
in the end we share our mind
Ultimately, we are all connected and share a common consciousness
with the maker of this time
We are all linked with the creator of the present
and the space that comes between
The distance separating us
is no distance after all
Bears no significance in the end
Hey tree - won't you talk to me
Hey tree, would you converse with me?
I can see you breathing
I can perceive your respiration
open your eyes
Enlighten yourself
all ready to see
Fully prepared to observe
greater revelation
An even more extraordinary realization
from a mere tree
From a simple plant
Come down
Descend
here's my silver cord.
I offer you my silver thread
Let me take you
Allow me to transport you
to my veins, let you touch the sun
To my bloodstream, let you feel the warmth of the sun
feel the sky
Experience the atmosphere
Trees loves us so talk to her
Trees care for us so converse with them
about love of life and sacrifice
Discuss adoration for existence and selflessness
mother mother love for all of us, yah
Maternal affection for each of us, yes
shower and flower
Bathe and blossom
your sweet nurturing power
Your tender fostering ability
so that we can be and breathe
So that we can exist and respire
freely
Without restraint
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ANTONIO TONY MARTINEZ, CARL STEPHENSON, JOHN COZ, LYNN WALDROP, MARK PETERSON, MARK SCHULTZ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@DanielprattCoUk
All forest for the trees music now uploaded and in playlists:
Single:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYksOVLEjlhpTvC0PEjJk4HbRjoF6QpIl
EP:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYksOVLEjlhqJNSE0o7IbZ7cdQZT2aGf-
Everything Released:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYksOVLEjlhpqJWJbBcMS9iEuh1JXuGzx
Enjoy!
@zem41
I'm the first person
You're the second person
Earlier today I was in the third person
I'm the first person
You're the second person
Earlier today I was in the third person
Stop cursing, start diversing
Oedipus is bliss
The sunshine'll affect your mind
Expand your thoughts, Stretch it out
Don't doubt the amount
My brain is caught
I'm jazz blessed
Trip hoppin' so I flow like a stream
It's just a dream
We are all here in the act of creation
Let's fly away on our imagination
You take me to the highest heights
And into the depths of the deepest abyss
When I am dreaming, I don't know if
I'm truly asleep or if I'm awake
When I get up, I don't know if I'm
Truly awake or if I'm still dreaming
Dream, Dream, Dream, Dream...
Life is but a dream
Traveling the waves of an infinite ocean
I feel the deepest emotion
I see a shadow of reality
Please hold me closely and take me away
When I am dreaming, I don't know if
I'm truly asleep or if I'm awake
When I get up, I don't know if I'm
Truly awake or if I'm still dreaming
I'm the first person
You're the second person
Earlier today I was in the third person
Stop cursing, start diversing
Oedipus is bliss
The sunshine'll affect your mind
Expand your thoughts, Stretch it out
Don't doubt the amount
My brain is caught
I'm jazz blessed
Trip hoppin' so I flow like a stream
It's just a dream
When I am dreaming, I don't know if
I'm truly asleep or if I'm awake
When I get up, I don't know if I'm
Truly awake or if I'm still dreaming
@jamesharris9528
Out of nowhere this song got in my head from over 20 years ago. I can't believe I found it. We're getting old aren't we.
@TheBoundBowman
Saaaaame!
@cemsengul16
I heard it in a movie and had to get it.
@blastradius7193
Me too! I'll be 46 next summer and all this 90s music is resurfacing in my head out of seemingly nowhere
@DanielprattCoUk
Which movie was that?
@cph714
still a great song in 2022
@Hortonscakes
This ALBUM...I was 16 when I bought this, and it was enlightening. 20 years later, this album is still my favorite.
@Hortonscakes
to the person that made this album available in it's entirety, thank you, thank you, thank you!
@DanielprattCoUk
+Rebecca Hege-Horton You're very welcome :) I've been meaning to do it for a while because of the impact it had on me. I actually found some other music that may involve Carl/Karl Stephenson. I'll have to add it to the description when I relocate the links.
@DanielprattCoUk
FYI, I've started uploading the Dream single and The Sound Of Wet Paint EP. I'm hoping to be finished this evening (GMT).