His Concerto for Pedal Steel Guitar and Orchestra is believed to be the first concerto ever written for the pedal steel guitar. It was premiered on April 16th, 2005, in a performance by the Nashville Chamber Orchestra with Gary Morse (of Dierks Bentley and Dwight Yoakam's bands) as soloist, and Paul Gambill as conductor. Levine also composed Divination By Mirrors for musical saw and strings. It was premiered in New York City's Merkin Hall in 1998 by the New York Virtuosi with Dale Stuckenbruck as the saw soloist. The piece makes extensive use of quarter tones and golden mean sections.
Levine has written several opera and musical theater pieces including Orpheus Electronica (2000), widely believed to be the first "rave opera".
Trained as a violinist, Levine began his career as a studio musician in New York in the 1980s, but then switched his emphasis to composition. He is, perhaps, best known as the composer for the television dramas Cold Case and Close to Home, both produced by Jerry Bruckheimer. In 2007, he scored the features Adrift in Manhattan and Columbus Day. He also produces, with Michael Wolff, the songs for the Nickelodeon TV preteen comedy series and combo, The Naked Brothers Band. Early in his career Levine wrote music for advertising including "Gimme a Break", the Kit Kat jingle (1986). In a 2003 study of earworms (tunes that get stuck in people's heads) Univ. of Cincinnati researcher James Kellaris named "Gimme a Break" as one of the top ten worst offenders.
In the mid-1980s, Levine led the New York City-based quartet, No Guitars, in which he sang and played electric violin. Patrick Moraz of Yes described him as "The Jimi Hendrix of the violin."
Michael has done extensive work for other film composers including Hans Zimmer, Harry Gregson-Williams, Rupert Gregson-Williams, and Cliff Martinez as an arranger and composer of additional music. He was the arranger of the choral version of Spider-Pig from The Simpsons Movie and composed the music for the murder scene in Veronica Guerin.
Levine continues to play violin on his and others' recordings. He also plays tenor violin and the ciola (pronounced chee OH la) an instrument the size of a viola but which sounds in the same range as a cello. He is the recipient of five ASCAP awards, two Clio awards, an NEA grant, a Meet The Composer grant, and a Massachusetts Arts Foundation grant.
Opening
Michael A. Levine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Prayed you would notice me and be impressed
Oh God I wanted you so bad
You were the one I had to have
I held your hand and put my world on pause
I closed my eyes and felt what longing was
Ignored the writing on the wall
Now it's over - and I was just the opening act in your show
I gave you everything that I could spare
And you took it all from me you didn't care
I never wanted it to end
Guess you're a master at pretend
Now it's over - and I was just the opening act in your show
These lyrics depict a story of unrequited love and the emotional vulnerability that comes along with it. The singer describes their actions and feelings towards someone they deeply desired. They metaphorically held the door for this person, hoping to catch their attention and be admired by them. In their desperation, they longed to be noticed and felt a strong need to possess this individual.
When the opportunity arose, the singer took it upon themselves to initiate a romantic connection by holding the person's hand. They immersed themselves in this moment, closing their eyes and experiencing the intensity of their longing. However, they consciously ignored any warning signs that may have indicated that their feelings were not reciprocated. Blinded by their desire, they fell into the trap set by the person they desired, resulting in their own emotional downfall.
Reflecting on the situation, the singer acknowledges that their role in this person's life was merely temporary and insignificant. They realize that they were nothing more than the "opening act" in the larger performance of this person's life. Despite having given everything they had to offer, the person they desired took advantage of their vulnerability and lack of concern for their well-being. This painful realization leaves the singer feeling used and discarded.
In essence, these lyrics convey the deep longing, emotional investment, and eventual disappointment that can occur when love is unrequited. The singer reflects on their experience as the "opening act" in this person's show, emphasizing their insignificance and the feeling of being taken for granted. It highlights the vulnerability and pain that can come from investing so much in someone who does not reciprocate those feelings.
Line by Line Meaning
I held the door for you, I held my breath
I tried to make a good impression on you, anxiously waiting for your attention.
Prayed you would notice me and be impressed
I hoped that you would recognize my worth and be impressed by me.
Oh God I wanted you so bad
I desired you intensely, to the point of obsession.
You were the one I had to have
You were the person I felt I needed to be with, the one I couldn't live without.
I held your hand and put my world on pause
I prioritized you and temporarily suspended everything else in my life.
I closed my eyes and felt what longing was
I allowed myself to deeply experience the feeling of yearning for you.
Ignored the writing on the wall
I disregarded the signs that indicated our relationship might not work out.
I took the bait and took the fall
I fell into a trap and suffered the consequences.
Now it's over - and I was just the opening act in your show
Our relationship has ended, and I realize that I never held a significant role in your life.
I gave you everything that I could spare
I provided you with all that I had to offer, giving my all.
And you took it all from me you didn't care
You selfishly took advantage of me and didn't show any concern or empathy.
I never wanted it to end
I never desired for our relationship to come to a close.
Guess you're a master at pretend
It seems that you are highly skilled at pretending and deceiving others.
Now it's over - and I was just the opening act in your show
Our relationship has ended, and I realize that I was merely a minor part in your life.
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave
Written by: Michael Kocher
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Bobby Johnson
AL bro I'm a brother out the hood and this is by far one of your best interviews speaking from a mind that finally wants change in their life!!!!!
jeff dinkleburg
bobby "poop skin " johnson
Mike L
Awesome, awesome interview. What an incredible insight into this man's life/career. Very interesting individual this man is. Al, you need to get more recognition what you do!!!
E Chanlyn Neighbors-Richmond
Increasing believable. The truth emerges. A lot of the cops shouldn't be cops cause they're just scared. Finally validation from a real law enforcement officer. Scared of 'a naked Black man' who had no weapon. Kudos for that honest assessment of scary azz cops. Thank you So very much!😎
Al Taylor
@Lo Money yvvyvtvtvtvgttvgvyvvyvvvvvyvggvv
Lo Money
FACTS
Cops are very very scary. Most from the Suburbs.
Get Schwifty
I can't believe I'm just realizing he's the author of The Big White Lie. One of the best books as far as exposing the farce of the war on drugs and for validating those rumors about high ranking Nazis escaping to South America.
no lackin
@oldskoolbrawler gonna check em out thank you
oldskoolbrawler
@no lackin Mike. He’s written 3 books. All excellent!1
Big D
@Get Schwifty Nazis definitely escaped to S. America. We allowed it, so I wouldn't say "escaped". There are full on German towns in parts of Argentina, Bolivia, etc. Speaking German, dressing the part, family keepsakes of WW2 around the houses. Just crazy to think that Germans have come to their countries and live in their towns and still practice racism! A brown person isn't on their level of human! Smh!