The Gathering Field line-up ultimately became Bill Deasy vocals and acoustic guitar), Dave Brown (lead guitar), Eric Riebling (bass) and Ray DeFade (drums). (After DeFade left the group he was replaced with Joe Zelek.) Their first independent release, entitled "The Gathering Field", was met with great reception around the region and they started playing to packed clubs. However, the band's popularity really skyrocketed when one of the region's most powerful rock radio stations, WDVE, began playing a song called, "Lost in America" and it remained in rotation for over 7 months. Based on the success of the independent release which bore the same name, the group garnered a major label deal with Atlantic Records, who re-released the CD.
Soon after they signed to Atlantic Records and "Lost in America" was re-released, there was turmoil at the label. The album charted on the Billboard Top 100 album chart, Radio and Records and various other industry publications but ultimately the CD and group got lost in the shuffle, largely due to Matchbox 20. When Matchbox 20 signed, the Gathering Field was forgotten, and the struggling band attempted to be released from their contract. When they finally succeeded, they released two more CDs; "Reliance" and "So Close to Home," the latter consisting of songs the band had played live for several years but never recorded. During that time Deasy also released a semi-acoustic solo album called "Spring Lies Waiting", produced by Brown. The band ultimately called it quits in 2002 and went their separate ways but their legacy includes a still loyal fan base across the United States and in several countries abroad, most notably (but not limited to) the Netherlands and Germany, where they received a stellar review in that country's edition of Rolling Stone. Lead singer-songwriter Bill Deasy now records as a solo artist and continues to be a prolific songwriter. His songs have also been recorded by several major label artists and used in a national television campaign for Good Morning America in which he also appeared.
Rhapsody in Blue
Gathering Field Lyrics
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The love of strangers on her Christmas list
She ain't sentimental, she don't like to reminisce
She's a champion of action
You ain't never heard her voice, but that's all right
'Cause you ain't never seen her face before tonight
But now you see her swaying to the left and to the right
See her spinning 'round
Blond hair falling down
You can hear the sound
Of your heart breaking
From the love she's taking from you
The song it's making
Is like a rhapsody in blue
Well you ain't never seen no aura in your life
But you know her's is the color of the sky
When she looks at you it kills you,
When she turns away you die
It's a tragic situation
So you drink one down for courage, two for soul
You drink a third for good luck, then you stroll
Out onto the dance floor,
But your feet are too damn cold
And you need more insulation
See her spinning round
Oh, she don't love you
Oh, she don't see you in the crowd
Oh, if she did she would not want you anyhow
Expectation lingers in the air
The problem is that no one else is there
Just the memory of your angel,
All these ghosts in empty chairs
Making comments 'bout the weather
The taxi cab is waiting at the door
You can hear the driver blowing on his horn
So you close your eyes one last time,
And you conjure up her form
And you shake it down together
See her spinning round
The lyrics of Gathering Field’s song Rhapsody in Blue describe a woman who is unattached emotionally and does not dwell on past relationships. She has a tattoo of a bracelet on her wrist and a list of strangers to whom she wants to show affection during the festive season. She is a champion of action, who does not believe in being sentimental and revisiting old memories. Although you have never heard her voice, her presence is captivating. She sways and rocks to the rhythm of the music causing the ground to shake. With her blonde hair falling down, she is like a rhapsody in blue, her aura like the color of the sky. Her mere glance could kill you as she takes your breath away. She is a tragic situation and knowing that she will never love you can break your heart.
The song is tragic but skillfully written to portray the destructive power of unrequited love, the theme of the song. Written by Bill Deasy, Rhapsody in Blue is a melancholic take on the pains of loving and wanting someone who might never return that feeling. The song has the power to take you back to a place where you once yearned for someone so deeply and felt helpless, just like the singer in the song. Interestingly, the song was released in the same year as George Gershwin's famous composition Rhapsody in Blue, which is also the inspiration behind the song’s title.
Line by Line Meaning
She got a tattoo of a bracelet on her wrist
She expresses herself with a strong identity and sense of self through a tattoo around her wrist.
The love of strangers on her Christmas list
She embraces the warmth and kindness from everyone she meets, especially at festive moments like Christmas.
She ain't sentimental, she don't like to reminisce
She prefers to focus on the present and is not fond of dwelling on past memories.
She's a champion of action
She takes the lead in getting things done and striving for progress in everything she does.
You ain't never heard her voice, but that's all right
She is not judged by how she sounds but by her actions instead.
'Cause you ain't never seen her face before tonight
Her mysterious and captivating aura keeps people curious and excited around her.
But now you see her swaying to the left and to the right
Her graceful movements catch the attention of those around her, watching in awe.
And it rocks your whole foundation
Her presence shakes and challenges people's beliefs and values.
See her spinning 'round
Her energy is contagious, and she moves through the world with enthusiasm.
Blond hair falling down
She has radiant and untamed hair that adds to her attraction and allure.
You can hear the sound
Of your heart breaking
Witnessing her beauty and confidence makes some people realize their own insecurities and flaws, leading to a painful realization.
From the love she's taking from you
She draws love and admiration effortlessly from others because of her charismatic and magnetic personality.
The song it's making
Is like a rhapsody in blue
Her presence creates a soothing melody around others that feels magical and calming.
Well you ain't never seen no aura in your life
Her unique vibe and aura is something most people haven't experienced before.
But you know her's is the color of the sky
Her aura is powerful and strong, mirroring the color of the vast sky.
When she looks at you it kills you,
When she turns away you die
It's a tragic situation
Her attention and affection is intense and overwhelming, leading to a saddening realization that it may not be possible to attain or reciprocate.
So you drink one down for courage, two for soul
You drink a third for good luck, then you stroll
Out onto the dance floor,
But your feet are too damn cold
And you need more insulation
Trying to match her energy and charisma is daunting and requires extra effort and self-assurance that is difficult to attain instantly.
Oh, she don't love you
Her affection and love is not reserved for anyone in particular.
Oh, she don't see you in the crowd
She is not influenced by societal norms and expectations, and remains oblivious to the attention of others.
Oh, if she did she would not want you anyhow
Even if she did take notice of you, her energy is so powerful and her standards so high that it is unlikely anyone can live up to them.
Expectation lingers in the air
People around her often have high expectations of themselves and of those around them due to the influence of her aura.
The problem is that no one else is there
Despite the high expectations, nobody else comes close to matching her energy and charisma.
Just the memory of your angel,
All these ghosts in empty chairs
The memory of her presence lingers on even after she has left, leaving a lasting impression on those around her.
Making comments 'bout the weather
People discuss and gossip about her presence and its impact because it is such a rare and memorable occurrence.
The taxi cab is waiting at the door
You can hear the driver blowing on his horn
Her impact is temporary and fleeting, and she moves onto new places and people without much thought or care.
So you close your eyes one last time,
And you conjure up her form
And you shake it down together
Even after she has left, her memory remains potent and impactful, leading people to reminisce and long for another taste of her magic.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVID P. BROWN, ERIC H. RIEBLING, RAY DEFADE, WILLIAM PAUL DEASY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind