Initially the project consisted entirely of solo recordings by Oliva, but after several months of work he was joined in 2004 by former members of Circle II Circle to form a band. After hearing the results of their earliest studio sessions together he then decided to repeat the solo work from scratch with the band, releasing their first album 'Tage Mahal on the SPV label early that year. Originally slated to be released on the same label in May 2006, JOP subsequently signed to AFM Records for the release of the follow-up entitled Maniacal Renderings, which was released in September 4th 2006. Oliva credits his late brother Criss (with whom he had founded Savatage) as co-writing some of the work on this latest album (particularly the track "The Answer"), after finding some working tapes they had recorded together immediately before Criss' death in a road accident in 1993.
Jon Oliva's Pain hit the road fequently, visiting mostly Europe. 2006 saw some appearances at the larger European festivals. In april 2007, Jon Oliva was reunited with Chris Caffery onstage at the Pestpop festival in Belgium. This festival featured three Savatage related bands: Jon Oliva's Pain, Circle II Circle and Chris Caffery.
October 2007 saw Jon Oliva's Pain headlining ProgPower Europe, among the played songs was Chance, which was never performed with Jon on lead vocals before.
In 2008 JOP released Global Warning, which received excellent reviews from all over the globe. The album includes an ode to the bands past sound engineer Greg Marchak (O to G.) The band is currently preparing the fourth JOP album and will be hitting some of the annual summer festivals in Europe.
The music and themes bear comparison with the likes of Alice Cooper, focussing as they do on elements of obsession, pain, confusion and insanity. Oliva himself cites The Beatles, Queen and The Who amongst his and hence the band's influences.
JOP always play a bunch of classic Savatage songs onstage. Typical Savatage songs that are played are Sirens, Hall Of The Mountain King, Gutter Ballet and a lot of songs from the Streets album.
Lineup:
Jon Oliva (vocals, keyboards)
John Zahner (keyboards)
Matt LaPorte (guitars)
Kevin Rothney (bass)
Christopher Kinder (drums)
Tom McDyne (guitars)
Former Members:
Jerry Outlaw (guitars)
Shane French (guitars)
NOW
Jon Oliva's Pain Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wishing you were here to talk to, now, oh no.
At times I feel so all alone,
Travelling down this long and winding road.
I know that you'll be waiting for me,
I wish that I was with you,
Now, now.
I can't wait to see your face again,
But I'm so far away.
With every city I count the days...
Oh, the days.
Another lonely hotel room,
I know that I'll be with you soon,
I know, I know
Another show, another place.
Caught inside this same old race.
I know
I know that you'll be waiting for me,
I wish that I was with you,
Now, now.
I can't wait to see your face again,
But I'm so far away.
With every city I count the days...
Oh, the days.
The lyrics of Jon Oliva's Pain's song "Now" speak about the feeling of loneliness and separation from a loved one while traveling on a long music tour. The singer of the song is thinking about their loved one late at night, wishing that they could talk to them. At times, they feel all alone while traveling down this long and winding road. Despite the loneliness, they know that their loved one will be waiting for them, and they wish they were together now.
The singer of the song is counting the days until they can see their loved one again. They are caught in the same old race of performing in another show in another place, staying in another lonely hotel room. However, they know that they will be with their loved one soon. The repetition of the lyrics "I know that you'll be waiting for me, I wish that I was with you, now, now" emphasizes the feeling of longing and the desire for closeness with their loved one.
Overall, the song "Now" by Jon Oliva's Pain highlights the emotional toll of being away from a loved one for an extended period. Despite the excitement of performing and touring, the artist feels the loneliness that comes with being away from someone special.
Line by Line Meaning
Late at night just thinking of you,
During nighttime I am consumed with thoughts of you, which are keeping me awake and preoccupied.
Wishing you were here to talk to, now, oh no.
I desire for you to be present and available to speak with me immediately; it's upsetting that you are not here with me right now.
At times I feel so all alone,
Infrequently, I am overcome by a sense of complete solitude and a longing for companionship and empathy.
Travelling down this long and winding road.
I am on a journey that is challenging and meandering, with no clear endpoint in sight.
I know that you'll be waiting for me,
I am confident that you will be present and anticipating my arrival, which brings me comfort and reassurance during my travels.
I wish that I was with you,
I long to be reunited with you, as I am envious of your certainty in this moment while I am still on the road.
Now, now.
I have an urgent desire for the reunion to take place, as the current separation is difficult for me to bear.
I can't wait to see your face again,
It excites me to think of seeing you again, as I have gone too many days without your presence and companionship.
But I'm so far away.
I am still exceedingly distant from where you are, and that distance feels crushing at times.
With every city I count the days...
As I move through different locales, I am continually marking off the days on my calendar, hoping to soon return to you.
Oh, the days.
This extended period away from you is filled with sadness and difficulties; it feels like an insurmountable stretch of time.
Another lonely hotel room,
I am in yet another barren hotel room, which serves as a constant reminder of my forlornness and distance from you.
I know that I'll be with you soon,
Despite the current distance and loneliness, I am comforted by the knowledge that I will be reunited with you sooner than later.
I know, I know
I am reminding myself that the separation is temporary and that soon we will be together again.
Another show, another place.
I am caught in a cycle of performing and traveling to different locations, which is emotionally taxing and leaves me yearning for stability and connection.
Caught inside this same old race.
I feel trapped in a routine that is repetitive and draining, lacking in joy and fulfillment.
Contributed by Elena T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.