After 2 years and 5 nights a week Myrick was asked to come to Austin to replace Stevie Ray Vaughn in a band called Kracker Jack. Kracker Jack included Uncle John Turner on drums and Tommy Shannon on bass (the original rhythm sectionof the Johnny Winter Trio.)Shannon went on to be the bass player for Double Trouble.
After 2 years in Austin Myrick moved to California. In 1980 his first album "GaryMyrick & The Figures" was released on Epic Records. Which garnered the Hit Single "She Talks In Stereo" which made the Top 100 of the Decade on KROQ Radio and was also featured in the cult classic movie "Valley Girl" which starred Nicholas Cage in his first leading role.
Myrick's next album "Living In A Movie" was released in 1982. After extensive touring of America and Canada, Myrick needed a change for his third album. The Figures went their separate ways and Gary did completely solo album called "Language." That album produced 2 videos: "The Message Is You" filmed in England and "Guitar Talk Love and Drums" which was nominated for best special effects on MTV. After an American tour, Myrick hooked up with John Waite to jam and possibly start a band. They hit it off and wrote the album "No Brakes" which garnered the Number 1 Billboard single "Missing You" and was nominated for a Grammy. The "No Brakes" album was originally going to be recorded by a band with a "band name." Gary, having been offered a fourth solo album deal by Geffen, left John Waite and told John that he could call it a solo album.
"Stand ForLove," Gary's fourth album was recorded in Los Angeles and New York in Jimi Hendrix's Electric Lady Studios. One video was made from the single "When Angels Kiss." After playing a benefit for the homeless of Los Angeles, Jackson Browne asked Gary to play on his "Lives In The Balance" album on the single "For America."
Myrick continued to play guitar and do session work for different artists such as StevieWonder, Queen Ida, Wilson Pickett and others. After meeting up with Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols, Myrick played guitar in Steve's band supporting Steve's solo album "Mercy" and did a tour opening for the Kinks. Back in Los Angeles Gary met up with the bass player from the Clash, Paul Simonon and Nigel Dixon from the English Rockabilly band Whirlwind. They decided to write songs together and started the band Havana 3 AM. Based upon styles of Texas, El Paso, Latin overtones and English Punk. After a year in Los Angeles Havana 3 AM moved to London to tour in Italy, England and Western Europe. Soon they traveled to Tokyo Japan to make their self titled album "Havana 3 AM." The album was finished for the Japanese Label then licensed to IRS Records. Havana 3 AM made number 4 on Rolling Stone's Alternative chart and appeared on "Late Night With David Letterman." One video was made for the song "Reach The Rock." After tours of America, Canada, Europe and England, Havana3 AM started to change. Paul Simonon left the band to persue an art career, Gary moved back to Austin Texas for a sabatical of six months. Wanting to continue the band, Nigel Dixon came to Austin to work on the project. Nigel Dixon was diagnosed with cancer and after a Texas tour passed away two months later.
After losing his friend, Gary went back to Los Angeles to finish what they had started and wrote the album "Texas Glitter and Tombstone Tales." Gary Myrick and Havana 3 AM/ Burnside Records, 1996.
Gary started composing for films and commercials while working on new music. Between 1998 and 1999, four of Gary's songs were used in three films, "Route 9,""Stranger Than Fiction," and "Partners In Crime." Three songs from"Texas Glitter and Tombstone Tales" were used as well as one new song.
Myrick wanted to escape and create a new world, organic in nature and tap his continuing reference to his roots of Texas. After writing with Victor Bicetti, drummer and percussionist with Los Lobos, Gary rekindled an old friendship with engineer/producer TChad Blake, who had just finished LosLobos' new album. TChad Blake is known for his work with Bonnie Raitt, Tom Waites, Elvis Costello and others. Winning two Grammys in 1999 for the Sheryl Crow Album. Myrick, after writing for one year and trying his all acoustic, story telling songs in the local clubs, started recording in a 100 year old Southern style house in the Hollywood Hills with friend Michelle White engineering. For the first time each song was recorded in full with guitar and vocal (no punch-ins) A string quarted was added, then TChad Blake mixed and put on the finishing touches with Gary. Finished in December, the album is called
"Waltz Of The Scarecrow King."
The Los Angeles Times recently reviewed Gary's latest work saying: "This finger Pickin' Texan serves up unexpected treats of Tumbleweed Vampirology to the Ghost Of Elvis."
In addition to the impressive list of accomplishments in Gary's solo career, he has also worked with the likes of Jackson Browne, Stevie Wonder, Bonnie Raitt, Todd Rundgren, The Eagles, John Waite, Paul Simonon (Clash), Steve Jones(Sex Pistols), Brian Wilson, Big Audio Dynamite and many others.
Film Credits:
1. (1983)Valley Girl (2 songs)"She Talks In Stereo & Time To Win.
2. (1999)Stranger Than Fiction
(2 songs) Tex Pawnshop AndThe Tremolos & Teenage Mafia
3. (2000)Partners In Crime - (song) Imaginary Western
4. (1999) ROUTE 9 - (song) Cantinaland
5. (2001)(full score/soundtrack) HBO film/documentary Creature.
Time to Win
Gary Myrick & The Figures Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I hear new songs in America
Like radio DJs that never tire
They blast the listening class
All the while
And it's love at war
And it's hate artistically
It's a giant world family
Full of people and things to be
We dance on the wild side
We win at games that we play for free
And it's love unchained
And it's hope artistically
And it's time to win now
In a circus of love and fire
No news is good news
You're on the air
Paid for and played for while on the wire
Stripped down in this time, time
Echoes there
And it's time to give
And it's time to lose our cool
And it's time to win now
And it's time to win
And it's time to win
And it's time to win
And it's time to win
The lyrics in Gary Myrick's song Time To Win seem to express a sense of urgency and a call to action. The circus of love and fire can be interpreted as the chaos and excitement of life, with new songs in America representing the ever-changing landscape of the nation. The radio DJs that never tire may symbolize the constant barrage of information and stimulation that we experience in modern society. The listening class being blasted all the while suggests that everyone is affected by this, whether they want to be or not.
The lines "And it's love at war, And it's hate artistically" convey the idea that love and hate can coexist and even fuel each other. The use of the word artistically implies that these emotions are being expressed in a creative or poetic way. The chorus, "And it's time to win now," seems to urge the listener to take action, whether it be in love, hate, or something else entirely.
The second verse continues the theme of the world being a vast and diverse place, with people and things to discover and explore. "We dance on the wild side, We win at games that we play for free" suggests a sense of freedom, perhaps even rebellion, in the face of societal norms and expectations. The lines "And it's love unchained, And it's hope artistically" suggest that even in the face of adversity or uncertainty, love and hope can still prevail.
The final verse brings the song full circle, with the circus of love and fire now representing the media and its influence on our lives. "No news is good news" suggests that we've become desensitized to the constant flow of information, and perhaps even yearn for a simpler time. The call to action in the chorus, "And it's time to give, And it's time to lose our cool," suggests that we need to take a step back and reevaluate our priorities in order to truly "win."
Line by Line Meaning
In a circus of love and fire
In a chaotic world filled with passion and danger
I hear new songs in America
There are innovative and exciting things happening in the country
Like radio DJs that never tire
Just like how radio hosts are always enthusiastic and energetic
They blast the listening class
They provide their message to the masses with full intensity and dedication
All the while
Constantly, without stopping
And it's love at war
Even in the face of conflict, love perseveres
And it's hate artistically
Hate is often expressed through creative means
And it's time to win now
The time for triumph is upon us
It's a giant world family
The world is a massive community of diverse individuals
Full of people and things to be
There are countless opportunities and possibilities out there for us
We dance on the wild side
We embrace the unconventional and unrestrained aspects of life
We win at games that we play for free
Our greatest victories often come from pursuits that don't cost anything
And it's love unchained
Love is not confined or restrained
And it's hope artistically
Hope is expressed creatively
And it's time to win now
The time has come for us to succeed
In a circus of love and fire
Once again, in a world filled with passion and danger
No news is good news
When there is a lack of upsetting news, it is considered positive
You're on the air
You are receiving a broadcast message
Paid for and played for while on the wire
Compensated and broadcasted through electronic communication
Stripped down in this time, time
Exposed in the present moment
Echoes there
Resonance and reverberation can be heard in the atmosphere
And it's time to give
The time has come to offer support and generosity
And it's time to lose our cool
Emotions are running high, and it's time to keep calm
And it's time to win now
Once again, the time for success has arrived
And it's time to win
There is an urgency to be victorious
And it's time to win
Once again, an insistence on triumph
And it's time to win
Once again, a reminder that the time to succeed is now
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: C. SMITH, GARY MYRICK, J. FERGUSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@productofthe80s
Martha Coolidge pick the perfect songs to use in Valley Girl "Time To Win" is a phenomenal song that will forever hold a special place in my heart
@TheBluntInstrument
what a great song from such a great movie. If you took Randy and mixed in a little (OK a Lot of Fred) that was Me... I went through what he did Several times... Love this scene, The Innocence of Fred and Stacey (Stacey was my Fave) warms my heart every time I watch it, "You're So Weird!"....
@nightowlchad
it always remind me of the movie Valley Girl, which my favorite scene was Fred and Stacey car chase. Thank you so much for posting it up
@gorflunk
Gary Myrick is in my Personal Hall of Fame. Criminally underrated.
@productofthe80s
OMG!!.. THANKS A MILLION! for posting this song...I had the [More Music From The Motion Picture Valley Girl] from Rhino Records back in 99. And i left it in a rental car : ( then the cd became out of print. I found it on amazon but they wanted $100 for a copy of it. I really appreciate Fausto Borrego for taking time to post the awesome tune
@veganhigler6541
It's so expensive to get that CD
@productofthe80s
@@veganhigler6541 It really is
@FireitupBedford
I wanna go back to the 80's...
@michellenagy2141
Amen, amen, AMEN! I would KILL to go back, just for a week, knowing what I know now! 😀
@PneumaticTube
There was still hope, back in the 80's