Her first album "Pinwheels" was recorded shortly after her high school graduation. During a 1 1/2 year stint as a student at Ole Miss, Starr met and forged a friendship with fellow artist and producer Neilson Hubbard. To this day, Starr and Hubbard frequently collaborate. Her second release, the 7 track EP "Stupid Girl" references her experiences there which were not always pleasant.
Garrison was signed to Geffen Records who released her first major label album "18 Over Me" in 1997. "18 Over Me" includes the song "Superhero" which is her most well known song to date, it has appeared on several compilations including "Live at World Cafe" and CMJ magazine's sampler. Garrison re-recorded "Superhero" for her 3rd major release 2005's "Airstreams & Satellites". It also includes a faster version of "Molly" which originally appeared on the "Stupid Girl" EP. On both versions producer Neilson Hubbard sings back-up vocals. "18 Over Me" is currently out of print and can only be purchased used. Garrison occasionally has copies at her live performances, but currently Geffen owns the rights to it so she cannot re-release it.
On the moderate success of "18 Over Me" Garrison was invited to play on the highly successful all female festival tour Lilith Fair created by Sarah McLachlan. Starr left the deep south for Los Angeles in the mid 1990s. There was a huge gap between the release of "18 Over Me" (1997) and "Songs From Take-Off To Landing" (2004) because Garrison (along with many other artists) was dropped from the Geffen roster. Garrison recorded several demos of songs that would eventually become part of "Take-Off" those were never officially released and in the years between those recordings & the release of "Take-Off" the songs evolved and changed significantly. Between these releases Garrison released "24/7" an EP of live & acoustic versions of songs from "18 Over Me" as well as a cover of the Rolling Stone's "Taxman" and a previously unreleased song "Simple Theme". Also during this time Garrison released "Something To Hold You Over" for devoted fans who were asking for new recordings.
In Los Angeles she gained inspiration for two albums, "Songs From Take-Off To Landing" (which was finally released in February 2004) and "Airstreams and Satellites" (October 2005). "Airstreams" includes a hidden track in which Garrison makes her first definitive reference to being a lesbian. She has toured with the likes of Melissa Etheridge, Steve Earle, Melissa Ferrick and Mary Chapin-Carpenter.
In 2005, Starr returned to the south, more specifically, Nashville, Tenn., where she completed her most recent album, "The Sound of You and Me" (March 2006). Released by Vanguard Records it includes a fellow Vanguard artist Mindy Smith on background vocals for track "Kansas City, KS".
Starr's song "Superhero" was featured during ABC-TVs coverage of the Women's World Cup Soccer in 1999. More recently, Starr's "Beautiful in Los Angeles" was the featured song on the season one finale of MTVs original program "The Hills" (2006).
Starr is currently working on her next album, a greatest hits cd for which she asked fans to vote for their top 10 favorite songs. In early 2007 she released a statement that she is recording the songs that received the most votes and that the cd will be available at her Los Angeles shows in late January 2007. Garrison put that cd online for purchase on her official website www.garrisonstarr.com in March 2007.
Garrison's new album "The Girl That Killed September" will be released on October 18, 2007 on Media Creature. Available Online for $10 (CD) and $7.50 (DOWNLOAD) LISTEN | WATCH EPK http://www.mediacreature.com/playerpage/gstarr/blastplyr-lcns.html
Madness
Garrison Starr Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Staring into an empty page
I'm not satisfied
faking my lines for a smiley face
it's the madness that seems to always get through
did you let something slip
don't lose your grip
don't trade your hell for a fairy tale
it's the madness that seems to always get through
standards got us bound
formulas and fools
anything less would let me down
anything more would be giving in to you
it's the madness that seems to always get through
don't be afraid to belt out loud
don't be afraid to belt out loud whatever the sound
it's the madness that seems to always get through
Garrison Starr's "Madness" is a song that speaks volumes about the struggle of a singer-songwriter who is trying to create a masterpiece. The opening line, "I'm not sleeping tonight / Staring into an empty page" speaks to the frustration and pressure one feels when trying to create something meaningful. It's a reminder that sometimes the creative process can be solitary and isolating.
The next line, "I'm not satisfied / faking my lines for a smiley face," suggests that the singer is trying to appease someone or something instead of staying true to themselves. There is a sense of vulnerability and authenticity that is missing in their writing, as they try to fit into the mold of what is expected of them.
The repeated refrain, "it's the madness that seems to always get through," captures the idea that despite these challenges and frustrations, it's the unfiltered, raw emotion that resonates with listeners. It's the imperfections and unpredictability of the creative process that make art truly remarkable.
The song also touches on the theme of self-discovery and staying true to oneself. "Did you let something slip / you never expose too much of yourself," suggests that there is a fear of vulnerability and openness that is holding the singer back. However, the line "don't trade your hell for a fairy tale" encourages the listener to embrace their struggles and not give in to the pressure to conform.
Overall, "Madness" is a powerful and honest reflection on the creative process and the importance of staying true to oneself.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm not sleeping tonight
I am not able to sleep tonight
Staring into an empty page
I am staring at an empty paper, unable to write anything
I'm not satisfied
I am not content with my work
faking my lines for a smiley face
I am not being honest in my writing as I am trying to create something with mass appeal
it's the madness that seems to always get through
There is a sense of insanity that always manages to come through in my writing
did you let something slip
Are you revealing something you normally keep hidden?
you never expose too much of yourself
You typically keep your personal life private
don't lose your grip
Don't lose control of your emotions
don't trade your hell for a fairy tale
Don't throw away your reality for a false, idealized version of life
standards got us bound
Societal norms and expectations restrict us
formulas and fools
Predictable patterns and simple-mindedness are rampant
anything less would let me down
I have high expectations for myself and anything less than perfection is disappointing
anything more would be giving in to you
If I aim to be better than you, it would mean I am giving you power over me
don't be afraid to belt out loud
Don't be hesitant to express yourself loudly and confidently
don't be afraid to belt out loud whatever the sound
Don't be afraid to express yourself in any form, regardless of how unconventional it may be
it's the madness that seems to always get through
The underlying sense of insanity always seeps through in one's expression of oneself
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: DANIEL M. NAKAMURA, TEREN JONES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind