Michael Angelo Batio (pronounced "Bah-tee-ohh") is an American instrumental rock guitarist from Chicago, Illinois. He attended Northeastern Illinois University and received a bachelor's degree in music theory. Having played guitar since the age of ten, Batio is often referred to as the fastest guitar shredder of all time.
Michael is one of the originators and pioneers of the entire “Shred” Guitar genre. Michael showcased guitar techniques and innovations, for the first time, on his early instructional programs as well as in live performances, that are now considered “standard techniques” among guitarists throughout the entire world.
Batio is ambidextrous, and can play two guitars at the same time — either in synchronized or separate harmonies. He also invented and successfully played the very first 'quad' guitar. However, the instrument was stolen during a Nitro show in El Paso, Texas, and only two of the four parts required for its assembly have ever been recovered. It is because of this that he has not played the quad guitar in many years. Dean Guitars has recently recreated this legendary instrument with a new custom paint job, especially for Batio. The Double Guitar is another of his innovative inventions (along with the 'string dampener'), which he commonly uses live and in studio recordings.
Guitar One magazine named Batio the #1 fastest shredder in the world in April 2003.
Batio has recently revealed that the name for his latest album, Hands Without Shadows was inspired by Chinese fans who said that he slaps his hands on the guitar neck so fast that he does it without shadows.
He has also had a long-term relationship with Dean Guitars, promoting their equipment and leading Dean-sponsored guitar clinics around the world to teach his techniques. Batio has released two popular instructional DVDs, entitled Speed Lives and Speed Kills, to teach fellow guitarists how to play his pieces of music. Furthermore, he is releasing a DVD featuring his Double Guitar Solo, which can now be seen on the Dean Guitars website. It features tribute covers of Deep Purple's Smoke on the Water, Jimi Hendrix's Purple Haze and Ozzy Osbourne's Crazy Train, with Batio's full backing band.
Junior
Michael Angelo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I live here on the street
I earn two hundred dollars a week
I'd like to say
"Hey, thanks a lot"
I know I'm missin' something
But I don't know what it is
That I don't got
I sit here watchin'
The people down below
I try to imagine
The places they may go
I don't know
I stay home a lot
I know I'm missin' something
But I don't know what it is
That I don't got
I see the world through the TV Guide
What a safe place for me to run
What a small little man I am
I'm afraid of everything
From golden rules to airplanes
What a small little man I am
They call me Junior
I'm caught up in this hell
Sometimes I feel better
But I never do feel well.
Jesus must have one hell of a plan for me
I know I'm missin' something
But I don't know what it is
That I don't got
And if I have anything to say
About judgement day
There'll be a crown in heaven
For those who live this way
Anyway
You know exactly who you are
I see the world through the TV Guide
What a safe place for me to run
What a small little man I am
I'm afraid of everything
From the golden rule to airplanes
What a small little man I am
They call me Junior
I live here on the street
I earn two hundred dollars a week
I'd like to say
"Hey man, thanks a lot"
My name is Junior
I see the world through the TV Guide
What a safe place for me to run
What a small little man I am
I'm afraid of everything
From the golden rule to airplanes
What a small little man I am
The lyrics of Michael Angelo's song "Junior" tells the story of a man who goes by the name, Junior, who lives on the street and earns $200 a week. He feels like he is missing something, but he cannot figure out what it is. He spends his time watching people from above and imagines where they are going. He admits to being a small man who is afraid of everything, from the golden rule to airplanes. He is caught up in this hell, and although he sometimes feels better, he never really feels well. He believes that Jesus must have one hell of a plan for him.
The lyrics suggest that Junior is a man who is lost and does not know what to do with his life. He is afraid of the world and everything in it. He sees the world through the TV Guide, which he considers a safe place. He is looking for something that he cannot find. He hopes that there will be a crown in heaven for those who live this way. He knows exactly who he is, but he cannot find meaning in his life.
Line by Line Meaning
They call me Junior
This is my nickname that people on the street have given me
I live here on the street
I am homeless and live outside
I earn two hundred dollars a week
I make money by doing odd jobs or other street work
I'd like to say, 'Hey thanks a lot'
I want to express my gratitude, but I don't know how
I know I'm missin' something, but I don't know what it is that I don't got
I feel like something is missing in my life, but I don't know what it is or how to fix it
I sit here watchin' the people down below
I spend a lot of time observing others from where I sit
I try to imagine the places they may go, I don't know
I often wonder where others are going and what their lives are like, but I don't have any real knowledge or experience of it
I stay home a lot
I usually stay in the same spot and don't move around much
I see the world through the TV Guide, what a safe place for me to run
I rely on the TV Guide to experience different places and events since I cannot participate in them myself, and I feel safe doing so
What a small little man I am, I'm afraid of everything
I feel small and insignificant compared to the rest of the world and am scared of many different things, including simple things like the golden rule and complex things like airplanes
Jesus must have one hell of a plan for me
I have faith that there is a higher power that has a plan for my life, even though I don't understand it
And if I have anything to say about judgement day, there'll be a crown in heaven for those who live this way anyway
I believe that people who live good lives (like those who are kind to me on the streets) will be rewarded in the afterlife, regardless of their social status or background
You know exactly who you are
This is a message to those who have shown him kindness and support that they are appreciated and recognized
My name is Junior
This line restates his nickname, but with a more personal identification
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHN MELLENCAMP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind