For The Blink of An Ideal World, LC worked with acclaimed producer Anthony J. Resta (Collective Soul, Megadeth, Duran Duran) and Baltimore’s favorite Steve Wright. LC’s emotive intensity is undeniable on these 8 songs (plus a bonus track), which go deeper into the psyche of the band and their sound than ever before. The band says they were more concerned with ‘exploring emotions and sound’ than with looking for that elusive ‘magic airplay formula’. Yet, LC’s signature dynamic, colossal rock sound is highlighted by evocative, relatable lyrics and hooky melodies. Much inspiration for this recording came while the band was in Greenland performing for the US troops last year. In the sub-zero Arctic that was dark 24 hours a day, LC was affected not only by the land’s beauty but by the men and women they met who serve our country. They imagine what an ideal world is like, even for the blink of an eye.
In the Mid-Atlantic, LC’s songs and pure rock live performance have contributed to their reputation as one of the region’s most popular bands. Any fan will fervently tell you that you must experience LC live to get the full impact of their music. The electrically charged crowd is an integral part of the show, participating throughout and responding enthusiastically to charismatic, evocative front-man Dave Tieff, the tasteful guitar signatures of Corey Hall on guitar, and the pounding, fierce rhythm of Will Dorsey Jr. on drums and Dan Welsh on bass.
Their trip to make playing music their lives has brought many highlights, including playing events such as the legendary WHFStival, DC101 Chili Cookoff, Raven Stadium, and the Warped Tour. LC has performed with bands including Good Charlotte, Rage Against The Machine, LIVE, Eve 6, etc. They have received airplay on over 41 stations, and been featured in publications including Time, Entertainment Weekly, and more.
On November 11, 2004, Laughing Colors announced their decision "to take a permanent vacation." According to their press release, they felt that the band had run its course over the previous 13 years, and they wanted to go out on their own terms. According to subsequent statements by the band, they were also frustrated with the increasing difficulty of booking shows at mid-Atlantic nightclubs. Their press release stated, "We also know that some people will ask 'will you ever play together again?' We will never say never, just goodbye for now."
Laughing Colors "final" concert was at the Recher Theatre in Towson, Maryland in March 2005. The final show was recorded and preserved on a live DVD and CD. To promote the release of this two-disc set, Keep the Shining Ones, Laughing Colors reunited for two concerts in November and December 2005. Frontman Dave Tieff has publicly indicated their desire to perform annual reunion shows for their fans.
Shadow Child
Laughing Colors Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He asked me for a dime to get something to eat
I said, "Mister, you look like the man on the
movie screen, what are you doing out in the street?"
He said he lost his arm in Vietnam and "If you
don't know go ask your mom. She'll let you
know as she rocks you to sleep."
Hey, I'm not sure that this life's for me
Hey, I'm finding it hard to stand and be counted
I'm a child of the Seventies
When I was young I felt a burning part of me
Maybe that's the thing that makes me real
Or maybe that's just something I left open
With the latch key, left for anyone to steal
But if you don't know or understand
It just gets worse when you're a man
I guess I wish I still knew everything
When I was young I held my dreams in front of me
Now I pick the pieces up off the floor
Maybe that's the key to knowing what you are, or what you'll be
But that key won't unlock the door,
It doesn't matter anymore
In Laughing Colors' song Shadow Child, the lyrics describe a reflection on the past and the struggles of growing up. The song begins with a memory of the singer encountering a man in uniform who had lost his arm in the Vietnam War. The encounter is significant because it not only highlights the harsh realities of war, but also serves as a reminder of the singer's innocence as a child. The lyrics suggest that as a child, the singer was naive and had a simplistic view of the world, as illustrated by their question to the man in uniform.
The chorus contains several lines that express the singer's feelings of uncertainty and a lack of direction in life. The line "Hey, I heard you found the life you wanted" implies that the singer has been observing someone else who has found success and fulfillment in their life. However, the singer paradoxically admits that they are "not sure that this life's for me." The lyric "I'm a child of the Seventies" further suggests that the singer feels like a product of their time, and perhaps struggles to fit in with modern society.
The second verse of the song continues to explore the singer's feelings of confusion and isolation. The line "Maybe that's the thing that makes me real" implies that the singer feels like an outsider, but also sees this as a potential source of strength. This feeling is further emphasized by the lyric "But if you don't know or understand, it just gets worse when you're a man." The singer acknowledges that the confusion and uncertainty that they feel is only magnified as they grow older and are expected to have everything figured out.
Overall, Shadow Child is a introspective and melancholy track that explores the complexities of growing up, finding one's place in the world, and confronting the harsh realities of life.
Line by Line Meaning
When I was young I saw a man in uniform
During my childhood, I saw a man in military clothing
He asked me for a dime to get something to eat
The man requested a small amount of money from me to buy food
I said, "Mister, you look like the man on the
movie screen, what are you doing out in the street?"
I compared the man to an actor and wondered what he was doing on the street
He said he lost his arm in Vietnam and "If you
don't know go ask your mom. She'll let you
know as she rocks you to sleep."
The man told me he lost his limb during the Vietnam War and suggested I ask my mother about it
Hey, I heard you found the life you wanted
I heard that you achieved the kind of life you desired
Hey, I'm not sure that this life's for me
However, I am uncertain if that kind of life is suitable for me
Hey, I'm finding it hard to stand and be counted
Furthermore, I find it difficult to assert myself and make my presence known
I'm a child of the Seventies
I was born in the 1970s and have been influenced by that era
When I was young I felt a burning part of me
In my youth, I felt an intense passion within me
Maybe that's the thing that makes me real
Perhaps that passion is what defines my authenticity
Or maybe that's just something I left open
With the latch key, left for anyone to steal
It also may be something that I left exposed and vulnerable for anyone to steal or exploit
But if you don't know or understand
However, if you lack knowledge or comprehension
It just gets worse when you're a man
The situation becomes even more challenging when you are a man
I guess I wish I still knew everything
I suppose I wish I still possessed all the knowledge and understanding I had as a child
When I was young I held my dreams in front of me
As a child, I kept my aspirations constantly in focus
Now I pick the pieces up off the floor
However, now I am left to salvage what little remains of my shattered dreams
Maybe that's the key to knowing what you are, or what you'll be
Perhaps, the act of picking up these broken pieces is what helps us understand who we currently are or will become
But that key won't unlock the door,
Unfortunately, that understanding cannot solve all our problems
It doesn't matter anymore
Ultimately, it has become insignificant
Contributed by Skyler W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@marymcduffie21
One of my favorites ❤