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)
O To G
Jon Oliva's Pain Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're not here anymore
It seems so wrong
Life, so unclear
You were always there
Now you've disappeared
I've been waiting for a sign
I feel it deep inside
I feeling I can't hide
So, life goes on
Though your picture fades
Your light shines on
Beyond what we can see
Now heaven waits for you and me
Now a star to light the night
And all you left behind
Has truly touched my life
My friend to you I say goodbye
The song O To G by Jon Oliva's Pain is a heart-wrenching tribute to a lost loved one. The singer mourns the fact that their loved one is no longer there and that life feels incomplete without them. The lyrics speak to the deep sense of loss that comes with losing someone close to you. The line "I've been waiting for a sign" suggests that the singer is searching for some kind of closure or assurance that their loved one is at peace. The chorus speaks to the idea that although the loved one is gone, their light continues to shine on and that they will always be remembered. The final verse is particularly poignant, with the line "Now a star to light the night" suggesting that the loved one has become a guiding light for those left behind.
The emotions conveyed in O To G are universal and relatable to anyone who has experienced loss. The song speaks to the idea that even though someone may be physically gone, they will always live on in the memories of those who loved them. The use of imagery in the lyrics, such as "Now a star to light the night", adds a layer of poetic beauty to the song that further enhances its emotional impact.
Line by Line Meaning
You, now you're gone
Addressing the absence of someone who was once there
You're not here anymore
Stating the fact that the person is not physically present
It seems so wrong
Acknowledging the negative feelings associated with the absence of someone close
Life, so unclear
Expressing a sense of confusion or uncertainty in the wake of this loss
You were always there
Reflecting on the departed individual's constant presence in the past
Now you've disappeared
Coming to terms with the reality of the person's departure
I've been waiting for a sign
Expressing the desire for some sort of reassurance or guidance
I hope you left behind
Looking for evidence of the person's influence or legacy
I feel it deep inside
Acknowledging the emotional impact of the person's absence
I feeling I can't hide
Admitting that these feelings are difficult to conceal or ignore
So, life goes on
Recognizing that the world keeps turning despite this loss
Though your picture fades
Acknowledging that memories of the person may fade over time
Your light shines on
Believing that the person's impact or influence endures
Beyond what we can see
Acknowledging the possibility of a spiritual or metaphysical dimension to existence
Now heaven waits for you and me
Expressing the belief that the person is now at rest or at peace
Now a star to light the night
Suggesting that the person is now a symbol of hope, inspiration, or guidance
And all you left behind
Recognizing the person's impact or legacy
Has truly touched my life
Gratefully acknowledging the positive influence the person had on one's own existence
My friend to you I say goodbye
Bidding farewell to the departed individual
Contributed by Tristan K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.