The band was… Read Full Bio ↴Max Webster was a Canadian rock band of the late 1970s.
The band was formed in 1973 in Sarnia, Ontario and consisted of guitarist and vocalist Kim Mitchell, keyboardist Terry Watkinson, bassist Mike Tilka and drummer Paul Kersey. Mitchell, joined by Pye Dubois [aka Paul Woods], would write the majority of their material with Mitchell writing the music and Dubois writing lyrics.
Kersey left the band after their self-titled debut album, to be replaced by Gary McCracken. After recording and touring for their second album, High Class in Borrowed Shoes, Tilka would follow suit and leave the band, being replaced by Dave Myles. Recording for their third album, Mutiny Up My Sleeve, began with this line-up which would last through to their fourth album, A Million Vacations. Prior to Universal Juveniles Watkinson and Myles left, to be replaced by various musicians to record the last album and then tour for a little while longer before Kim Mitchell decided to end it in 1981 for a solo career.
The band was successful in Canada, with hits such as "A Million Vacations," "Let Go The Line" and "Paradise Skies", although they never made it big outside of Canada. "Paradise Skies" was a minor UK hit, reaching number 43 on the singles chart there. In addition, they appeared on Top of the Pops in 1979 playing to a pre-recorded track which was recorded at Abbey Road studios. Kim Mitchell's subsequent solo career, however, reached a much broader audience and he achieved popularity beyond Canada during the 80's.
SUMMER
Max Webster Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
See summers up
Pools for crazy games
Winter's up
Magic's on the way
Sun rays
Sun rays
Winter played you down like energy out of rain
Sister lets you stray, the snow was here to stay
Shadows on the mirror, gold gaslights fade away--see
The lyrics of Max Webster's "Summer's Up" fluctuate around the themes of seasonal change and the effects of winter. The opening line, "see summers up," is a declaration that summer is in full swing and even the pools have come out for the "crazy games" people play during the hotter months. The next line is a nod to the fact that winter is on its way, and the magic of the cold months is yet to be experienced. The mention of "sun rays" in repetition further emphasizes the point of summer being in full force.
The following lines describe the effects of winter, how it played the singer down like "energy out of rain." The appearance of rust and the "grey old cat" sleeping for play are symbolic of the season's effects on everything, dulling the colors and slowing down life. The line "Sister lets you stray" is more ambiguous, but it could be interpreted as a sister figure leading the singer away from the harshness of winter. The mention of "shadows on the mirror" and "gold gaslights fade away" is a further indication of the dreariness winter causes and how it fades away the vitality of everything.
Line by Line Meaning
See summers up
Take notice, summer has arrived
Pools for crazy games
Swimming pools are available for wild and playful activities
Winter's up
Winter is over and gone
Magic's on the way
A time of enchantment and wonder is approaching
Sun rays
The warm and pleasant beams of the sun
Sun rays
The warm and pleasant beams of the sun
Winter played you down like energy out of rain
Winter depleted you of energy like rain drains power
Rust is laying down, grey old cat sleeps for play
Things are becoming stagnant, where even an old cat is sleepy from lack of activity
Sister lets you stray, the snow was here to stay
A person or entity allowed you to wander aimlessly as the snow continuously fell and accumulated
Shadows on the mirror, gold gaslights fade away
Reflections in the mirror reveal obscure images, while flickering gold gaslights gradually lose their luster
Lyrics © OLE MEDIA MANAGEMENT LP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
twanghang
What a great record this was - thanks for uploading!
Drum Knight
Amazing song by an amazing band.
Buskieboy
With no loud guitar you can really appreciate the harmony they had.
These guys could sing and play. And all WAY before the dreaded autotune!
Tammi Corbett
Takes me back, so good!!
Mark Rago
I can't believe I only recently discovered them. Granted, I was born around the time they broke up, but I hear a band that should have been among the great rock bands of all time. I have known about Kim Mitchell and Go For a Soda for years, but had no idea that he fronted such a talented, unique, heavy prog rock band in the 1970s. It's a crime that so few people outside of Canada were fully exposed to their music. They were everything I want to hear from a rock band. I hate to say they were as good as Rush, but they were just as good as Rush. Maybe better at times. Unfortunately they were both with the same record label for a few years and Max Webster was ignorantly viewed as a group of goofy kids trying to be the next Rush. Maybe it was their occasional drag queen stage attire, but I would have to say they were just too challenging and cutting edge to be considered marketable.
liveclassictunes
Spring is up.... magic's on the way..... sun rays!!!!!!
blkjckgtr
Yeah!up here in the great white north winters are long and we really appreciate summer!!And party hardy!!Cheers!!
Chris Manley
This is on my "Canada Eh" barbecuing song list. A steak, a cold one and some HOSER ROCK!
brehndan
yes this one does take me back to my youth up north
Bruce Fields
i love this songs thanks kim and the band for some great memories back in brantford ont at the civic center wooooooooooooooooot great time