Moreland first debuted his name as a part of the Black Gold Band from 2006-2010, with a 2006 full-band demo, 2008's Endless Oklahoma Sky, and 2009's solo demo session falling in that time span before he decided to retire the Black Gold Band name. John continues to write and record music, and in 2010 will release Things I Can't Control under his own name. Black Gold Band guitarist Wayne Wedge has returned to perform secondary guitar duties, and producer Stephen Egerton (ALL, Descendents) has been playing drums on the studio sessions. In 2010, Moreland was featured on the multi-musician studio project The Seven Degrees of Stephen Egerton, along with members of Drag the River, Descendents, MxPx, and many others.
Every Kind of Wrong
John Moreland Lyrics
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And finding ghosts inside the dial
Running from the armageddon jury
Born to put your love on trial
So darling, leave a key under the door mat
I'm coming blind around the bend
Soaked to the bone in revelation
Begging you to get me lost again
You light a cigarette and listen
Whisper a prayer for control
Remember what we read about redemption
Well now I'm paying off my soul
And you said time's a cold, cold lover
She'll kill me if I ever sit and stare
The sand falls slower than it used to
But the years still vanish clean into the air
You've been falling short of golden
I've been every kind of wrong
I guess I'm dying to let you ruin me
And you've been sinking all year long
But if that chariot they're driving
Don't swing low enough for us
Just paint two crosses on my eyelids
And point me out of touch
The song Every Kind of Wrong by John Moreland is about a relationship where both parties are flawed and always seem to be getting things wrong. The first verse seems to suggest that the singer's partner is always angry and looking for problems, while the singer himself is asking for a way into the relationship once again. He's willing to risk it all, even if it means getting lost once again, soaked to the bone in revelation. The second verse is a little more introspective, with the singers reflecting on their flaws and trying to find redemption. They seem to have read about the concept of redemption, but now it's time to pay off their soul. The years are going fast, and the singer acknowledges that they've both been quite lost. Despite all that, he's still dying to let his partner ruin him.
The final verse is a bit of a departure from the previous two, with the singers acknowledging that things may not work out between them. However, even if the chariot they're driving doesn't swing low enough for them, he's willing to accept his fate. He asks his partner to paint two crosses on his eyelids and point him out of touch. The implication is that he's willing to die for the relationship, even if it means being buried and forgotten.
Overall, the song is a bleak meditation on flawed relationships and the pain that comes with them. It's a reminder that sometimes, no matter how hard we try, things just don't work out.
Line by Line Meaning
You're talking with your mouth full of fury
You're speaking loudly and angrily
And finding ghosts inside the dial
You're discovering hidden problems
Running from the armageddon jury
You're trying to avoid a catastrophic outcome
Born to put your love on trial
You have a tendency to scrutinize your own relationships
So darling, leave a key under the door mat
Please let me come to you
I'm coming blind around the bend
I'm rushing forward, despite not knowing what lies ahead
Soaked to the bone in revelation
I feel overwhelmed by new insights
Begging you to get me lost again
I want to experience being lost with you
You light a cigarette and listen
You're paying attention, while smoking a cigarette
Whisper a prayer for control
You're hoping for a way to take charge of the situation
Remember what we read about redemption
Think back to the idea of being saved or forgiven
Well now I'm paying off my soul
I'm trying to make amends for my past mistakes
And you said time's a cold, cold lover
You believe time can be unforgiveable
She'll kill me if I ever sit and stare
If I don't take action, I'll be in trouble
The sand falls slower than it used to
Time seems to be moving too slowly
But the years still vanish clean into the air
Even though time sometimes seems to stand still, years pass by quickly
You've been falling short of golden
You feel like you're not meeting expectations
I've been every kind of wrong
I've made every possible mistake
I guess I'm dying to let you ruin me
I'm willing to let you hurt me
And you've been sinking all year long
You've been struggling to keep your head above water
But if that chariot they're driving
If those who are in control
Don't swing low enough for us
Can't help us out
Just paint two crosses on my eyelids
Just consider me beyond help
And point me out of touch
And leave me alone
Writer(s): JOHN MORELAND
Contributed by Christopher C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.