Back in early 2007, after becoming frustrated with his past band's creative differences, Rod found the perfect song-writing companion in fellow Vancouver, Canada resident, songwriter/producer Jeff Johnson. "Give us 15 minutes and we can hammer out a song. We have that rare, special chemistry" says Black gloating on Jeff. "We hardly ever bump heads, we're always on the same page." This harmonious partnership not only set the groundwork for what eventually - along with Shane Hayes (bass), Flip (guitar) and Dave Muselman (guitar), and Dan Swinimer (drums) - became Jet Black Stare, but also created the perfect vessel for Rod's storytelling. "I just want to be as a true as I can be to the song, and for me every song has to tell a story."
At the end of the day, for Black, it's about making people feel connected: Whether it's the epic "The River" ("I'm sick of nine to five/I'm sick of living day to day") or the bluesy ballad "Fly" ("When this temptation turns into my only friend/Lookin' for someone to help me start over again"). It's all about finding the common thread in everyday life struggles. For example, "Fly" was born out of Rod befriending and trying to help some young street kids he used to pass every day on the way to his old office day job. Or take the album-closer "Next To Me," about making personal and familial sacrifices for the greater good and being forced to be away from loved ones: Ambiguously, this soulful Heartland-ready number could be about a traveling salesman, an athlete, a soldier away at war, a rock star on the road?any and all of these, it's reach is universal.
But lest we not forget, JET BLACK STARE are rockers! So while they may get everyone's solar plexus wedged wide-open, they certainly don't mind ramming a steel-toed boot in for good measure. Take for example the record's first single "Ready To Roll," a pedal-to-the-metal anthem that will bring you charging down the drag strip. Fittingly, this track, as well as "It's Over" (the catchiest tune ever written about a cheating ex), are both to be featured in the upcoming EA video game NASCAR 2009.
It's a rather ironic turn that JET BLACK STARE's first single, like a few other legendary classics ("Highway Star," "Radar Love," "Born To Be Wild") is a sexually-charged opus to a muscle car: It was just a few year's ago, during a near-fatal car crash, that Rod wound up in the emergency room. But that's nothing considering that his miraculous survival from that accident was just a few days after the day he died. "I died when I was 19. I heard the doctors say it; they pronounced me dead" says Rod still in amazement years later. "I was what is called a 'flat-line patient.' But the next day I woke up! The doctors and nurses were astonished. 4 hours later I walked out of the hospital and went to work!"
He talks about it in "I"m Breathing": "And now I'm lookin' for the reasons why I'm alive/And now I've finally come to realize." And what he realized he says he has essentially known since he was 6 growing up in a musical family and wishing to be a performer. "My purpose is to do music" says Rod assuredly "and to reach as many people as I can, and hopefully, bring a positive message."
Now with Jet Black Stare's chrome-plated guitars and fist-pumpin' grooves, Rod has found the perfect medium for his stories and contagious vocal hooks?and he's going to need an arena-sized room to show them off.
Rod Black: Singer/songwriter
Shane: Bassist
Dan: Drummer
Flip: Guitarist
Dave: Guitarist
Next to Me
Jet Black Stare Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Knowing you're at home,
and I'm here alone
feels like forever
forever and a day
you feel so far away
I know you're thinkin' it's time to let me go
you need to know
dont say were runnin' out of time
dont say i'm never on your mind
dont say you're givin' up on me
and I need right now
so I can make you see
somehow this is meant to be
tonight I want you next to me
I want you next to me
I keep a picture in my pocket
reminding me of you
every night gets harder
but I know we'll make it through
I know you're thinkin its time to let me go
and there's just one more thing
you need to know
don't say were runnin' out of time
don't say im never on your mind
don't say you're givin' up on me
and I need right now
so I can make you see
somehow this is meant to be
tonight I want you next to me
I want you next to me
time away from you
can't stand this (no longer)
I did this for you
my heart just grows stronger
spendin' every night alone
and i'm missin' you (you)
if you could only see
what you mean to me
and I say
don't say were runnin' out of time
don't say im never on your mind
don't say you're givin' up on me
and I need right now
so I can make you see
somehow this is meant to be
tonight I want you next to me
I want you next to me
don't say were runnin out of time
don't say im never on your mind
don't say you're givin up on me
and I need right now
so I can make you see
somehow this is meant to be
tonight I want you next to me
I want you next to me
The lyrics to Jet Black Stare's song "Next To Me" speak to the pain of distance and separation from a loved one. The singer of the song is keenly aware that their partner is out there, at home, while they are alone. The passage of time feels interminable, and although the singer knows their partner is considering ending the relationship, there is one more thing they need to hear. The lyrics directly implore them not to give up, and not to say that the two of them are running out of time or that the singer is not on their partner's mind. The singer wants their partner to know that they need them right now, to make them see that the relationship is meant to be, and to be next to them tonight.
The song captures the feeling of loneliness and isolation that can come with distance, but it is also a plea for connection and intimacy. The singer keeps a picture of their partner in their pocket, a reminder of the love and connection they share. They are willing to endure the pain of separation, but they don't want it to be for nothing. The repetition of the refrain, "I want you next to me," underscores the depth of the singer's longing.
Overall, "Next To Me" is a powerful meditation on love and the ways in which distance can test the bonds between us. It speaks to the importance of holding on to hope and fighting for the things that matter most, even when they seem far away.
Line by Line Meaning
knowing that you're out there,
Being aware that you exist and are not physically near me,
Knowing you're at home,
Being aware that you are in a place where you feel comfortable and safe,
and I'm here alone
Feeling isolated and without companionship,
feels like forever
The time seems to be moving slowly and the feeling appears as if it has been lasting for a long time,
forever and a day
An expression used to emphasize the feeling of the time being slow and the feeling continuing for an extended period of time,
you feel so far away
Not being physically close to me feels like an emotional distance or disconnect,
I know you're thinkin' it's time to let me go
Realizing that you may be considering ending our relationship,
and there's just one more thing
I need to impart one more message to you,
dont say were runnin' out of time
Asking you to refrain from stating or implying that we are lacking time to be together,
dont say i'm never on your mind
Asking you to avoid saying that I am not often in your thoughts or a significant part of your life,
dont say you're givin' up on me
Asking you not to suggest that you are giving up on our relationship or on me as a person,
and I need right now
Requesting your attention and presence at this particular moment,
so I can make you see
Reference to a desire to make you understand my perspective and emotions,
somehow this is meant to be
Belief that our relationship has a significant purpose or destiny,
tonight I want you next to me
Expressing the desire for your physical presence near me during the night,
I keep a picture in my pocket
Carrying a photo of you with me at all times,
reminding me of you
Serving as a reminder of your existence and our connection,
every night gets harder
Expressing the increasing emotional difficulty of not being physically close to you,
but I know we'll make it through
Despite the emotional difficulties, remaining determined and possessing hope that the relationship will continue,
time away from you
The period of time being physically apart from you,
can't stand this (no longer)
Experiencing an intolerable emotional difficulty from the prolonged separation and not being able to endure it anymore,
I did this for you
A reference to engaging in actions that were motivated by a desire to benefit you or the relationship,
my heart just grows stronger
Despite the increasing emotional difficulty, my love for you and commitment to the relationship continues to grow,
spendin' every night alone
Being without any companionship or without you by my side for each night,
and i'm missin' you (you)
Feeling a sense of longing and emotional pain from your absence,
if you could only see
Expressing the desire for you to fully comprehend my emotions and perspective,
what you mean to me
The depth and meaning of your importance and significance to me,
and I say
A transition leading to repeating an earlier message previously articulated,
tonight I want you next to me
Expressing the desire for your physical presence near me during the night,
don't say were runnin out of time
Asking you to refrain from stating or implying that we are lacking time to be together,
don't say im never on your mind
Asking you to avoid saying that I am not often in your thoughts or a significant part of your life,
don't say you're givin up on me
Asking you not to suggest that you are giving up on our relationship or on me as a person,
and I need right now
Requesting your attention and presence at this particular moment,
so I can make you see
Reference to a desire to make you understand my perspective and emotions,
somehow this is meant to be
Belief that our relationship has a significant purpose or destiny,
tonight I want you next to me
Expressing the desire for your physical presence near me during the night,
Contributed by Mackenzie C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.