Simply sincere and considerably endearing are the lyrics and voice of this Napa Valley native. One can empathize with his lyrical shades of blue like the self-portrait of Vincent Van Gogh. Each song possesses dream-like attributes, like the carefully placed notes of the glockenspiel in “Hide”, suspending moments in time and molding echoes of his past into living, breathing poetry.
“Going through struggles in my life sometimes makes me write more; I guess it just helps me get things off my chest. But I also get really inspired by places I’ve been people I meet. Traveling usually spawns new material. And going to shows really gets me excited to write and perform too. Hardly ever do I leave a show without a new-found passion for music. And playing with all the great musicians here in Chico. I’m so lucky to be surrounded by such talent here.”
Michael has been very active in the Chico music community, where he dwells today. Aside from his solo project, Lee is a member of Surrogate, Mute Witness and Carousel, bands that continue to inspire him and get him excited to play.
Ryan Maker, guitarist of Mute Witness speaks genuinely about his fellow band member, “Mike is a pretty versatile musician who generally likes to keep things simple but can pull out all the stops when need be, similar to his personality, actually. Generally he's a very mellow, collected guy but every once and a while will surprise you with something hilarious or kinda crazy and then lets it roll off like it was nothing.”
Core family members have also greatly influenced Michael’s music and the way he feels about music.
“My dad was in a band back in the day and choir too I think. My mom sang a little bit too. Actually she sings a lot. Every time I visit she just walks around the house singing her heart out all day. It’s funny. And my older brother plays guitar and bass. He’s been in a couple of bands with me .My younger brother just started taking a music class in college. He’s all about it. Every time I talk to him he’s asking me questions about music or guitar or piano or whatever. It’s rad.”
The piano is one of his top three favorite instruments. His other two favorites, cello and the French horn, he feels “bring the listener in and make the songs that much more intimate.” Surprisingly enough he had not mentioned the acoustic guitar as evoking the same amount of intimacy. The finger picking sounds in, “The Jealous Type”, “English”, and “Sad Song” are incredibly indicative of Lee’s deepest nature. He relishes in the feeling he gets when fans connect with him at this level.
“Knowing that your music has affected somebody,” is one of his favorite aspects of the music process. “It’s a great feeling to have played well or to have written a good song. But the most rewarding part is playing a show and having the crowd right there with you, entirely into what you’re doing.”
On top of being a tremendous talent, Rett Mathews, guitarist in Mute Witness describes Michael, “He's easy to get along with and has a good sense of humor. Everyone loves his hair.” What more does one need?
- Andrea Aracil, Binary Sounds
Yesterday and Every Day After is available on iTunes.
Visit Michael Lee at www.parapetrecords.com
2) - Michael Lee (born Michael Gary Pearson; 19 November 1969 – 24 November 2008) was an English drummer best known for touring and recording in the 1990s with Little Angels, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant.
Lee started his professional career as drummer with Little Angels, a band from Scarborough who became one of the primary British rock acts of the early 1990s. Lee was replaced in Little Angels during their Young Gods tour by Mark Richardson, after it was discovered he had auditioned for The Cult (who were replacing Matt Sorum who left for G'n'R) behind their backs. He went on to play the full Ceremony world tour with the Cult in 1991 and 1992.
After playing with the Cult, he would go on to work with Echo & the Bunnymen and the reformed version of Thin Lizzy. Lee also worked with many other bands including Holosade (with whom he received his first album recording credit as "Damian Lee"), Alaska, and Sweet Janes.
Ultimately, it would be his work with Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant that garnered him the highest profile. As a result of his work on Plant's solo material, he was invited to continue this collaboration when Plant re-joined forces with Jimmy Page. Lee became the drummer for their touring and recording band, Page and Plant, and received writing credit for all songs on the band's 1998 album Walking into Clarksdale. Lee also toured with Jeff Martin and played drums on Martin's solo album, Exile and the Kingdom. He also co-operated on the 2006 Ian Gillan album, Gillan's Inn.
Similarly to Led Zeppelin's John Bonham, Lee used large drum sizes, something he attributed to his 6'5" height. His bass drum was 26" in diameter, and his snare drum was a brass 14" x 14" shell.
Lee was found dead in his flat on 24 November 2008. Jepson, Plunkett and the Dickinson brothers were reunited – supposedly for the first time since the band's split – at Michael Lee's funeral in December 2008.
Five
Michael Lee Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I'll show you what you just can't see
If you want good living gotta grab it with your hands
If you don't, then don't bother making no plans
Free being what you want to be
Seeing what you want to see
Unchain your brain
Unchain your brain
Unchain your brain
You won't get nothing if you got no wheels
If you got no wheels you'll never know how it feels
There's no reason for the things you said
Don't get moving you'll pretty soon be dead, dead and forgotten
Free living the life of a king
You can't have everything
Unchain your brain
Unchain your brain
Unchain your brain
Unchain your brain
Everybody fighting for a living in the street
One step back and you're out of the heat
There's just one thing when you set yourself free
You have a good time boy but watch out for me
Free being what you want to be
Seeing what you want to see
Unchain your brain
Unchain your brain
Unchain your brain
Unchain your brain
Unchain your brain
Unchain your brain
Unchain your brain
Unchain your brain
The lyrics of Michael Lee's song "Five" convey a strong message of individualism and personal determination. The opening lines set the tone for the rest of the song, with the lyrics "You tell me what you're never gonna be / And I'll show you what you just can't see." This suggests that the singer is willing to challenge the listener's limits and push them towards reaching their full potential. The lyrics encourage listeners to seize opportunities and take control of their lives by stating, "If you want good living gotta grab it with your hands / If you don't, then don't bother making no plans."
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "Unchain your brain" four times, emphasizing the importance of breaking free from societal expectations and limitations. The lyrics "Free being what you want to be / Seeing what you want to see" reinforces the idea of individualism and encourages listeners to pursue their own passions and dreams. The song highlights the contrast between life with and without opportunity, with the lyrics "You won't get nothing if you got no wheels / If you got no wheels you'll never know how it feels."
Overall, "Five" is a call to action for listeners to embrace their unique qualities and pursue their goals with determination and courage.
Line by Line Meaning
You tell me what you're never gonna be
What you think or say you're incapable of achieving
And I'll show you what you just can't see
What you're missing or unable to identify
If you want good living gotta grab it with your hands
To achieve a good life, you have to make a conscious effort
If you don't, then don't bother making no plans
Without working towards it, don't expect a good life
Free being what you want to be
Being free to pursue your desires and dreams
Seeing what you want to see
Being free to perceive things in your own way
Unchain your brain
Break free from mental limitations or restrictions
You won't get nothing if you got no wheels
Without effort or resources, nothing will come to you
If you got no wheels you'll never know how it feels
Without experiencing success or progress, you won't understand the feeling
There's no reason for the things you said
Your excuses or reasons are invalid
Don't get moving you'll pretty soon be dead, dead and forgotten
Without taking action, you'll miss out on life and be forgotten
Free living the life of a king
Living freely with abundance and luxury
You can't have everything
You may not be able to achieve everything you desire
Everybody fighting for a living in the street
Everyone is struggling to survive on the streets
One step back and you're out of the heat
One misstep could leave you in a difficult situation
There's just one thing when you set yourself free
When you allow yourself to be free, there's only one potential consequence
You have a good time boy but watch out for me
Enjoy yourself, but be aware of potential negative consequences
Unchain your brain
Break free from limitations or restrictions
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: BERNIE TORME, IAN GILLAN, JOHN MATTHEW MC-COY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
El Plaga
Mike was a smart kid, even when he knew he was getting set up he still acted normal and asked questions like usual, he had brains and utilized everything he was taught. It still kind of bugs me that they were just going to do Mike over what they "thought", Marlo and everybody in his circle had enough people on the streets to figure out that Mike wasn't an informant
iamamish
Neither Marlo nor Chris thought that Michael was an informant. It was simply a cost/benefit consideration - if you devalue human life, it makes more sense to kill Michael rather than risk even a 1% chance that he is a state's witness. That was the entire point of the scene, that Marlo didn't put any value on somebody else's life.
Chi Pierre
No he let it linger about bug daddy...let that sink in bc in actuality I understand why they had to do what was necessary.. He should never said anything to his mother about anything but he needed that satisfaction of getting rid of him.
This is what binds all of them the fact of predators that harm Snoop,Chris and some degree Marlo. That’s why they embraced him bc of his natural capabilities but he was just a kid as Omar said from the beginning
MailMan Favors
Yeah Chris vouched for him by saying he don't c the boy snitching and u heard Marlo say he doesn't see Mike snitching either but r u willing to bet ur life on it....n the end u see that Chris wasn't gonna bet that..
Jevvy Media
You realize Marlo had people killed just for speaking bad about him? He's ruthless, he will kill anyone to make sure the fear is still there.
Jacque Renee
El Plaga They taught they'll just kill without proof
Devin Johnson
Mike being the only one to know it was Kenard is just a subtle call to him being smart
high tech hamza
@Dava Greely I dont think Mike was malicious enough to actively have a 9 year old kill someone
high tech hamza
@Dava Greely Nah, kenard saw his opportunity and immediately regretted takin it, could see in his face
Dava Greely
Hot take: Michael sent Kennard to finish the job. Michael was smart and knew his enemy - he knew Omar would never suspect a small child.