"When we would take trips up north to visit family on weekends, I would venture around the house in search of things that my uncles had left behind. And on a trip I found this bag full of old cassette tapes. So I began throwing them in the stereo one after another. U2, Journey, The Police, Don Henley." Shynes then pauses to reflect. "And it wasn't necessarily a feeling like I had to go out that instant to buy a guitar and start writing music. It was more of a fascination with the fact that every track had the potential to alter my mood or take me to another place." In terms of his own beginnings, Shynes utilized what was available.
"I started out playing piano first. It was a situation where we had an old one sitting in our house, so it was a good place to start." He began playing along with popular songs prior to learning the instrument. "I would pick up on things quickly in terms of which keys worked, and which didn't. That seemed to impress people the most, but I was more excited about the opportunity to bring something of new to the table." Shynes was encouraged to take lessons, but quickly lost interest. "If my memory serves me, I had one guitar lesson, a few piano lessons in 6th grade, and a handful of voice lessons in High School." Shynes was not enamored with the task of having to learn in such a format. "Everything felt so confined and straightforward. Here are the notes on a page, replicate them. It defeated the entire purpose of why I started playing music in the first place. I loved it because there were no rules. And the more I sensed confinement creeping into play, the faster I ran in the opposite direction."
From a performance side, Shynes began his career as a singer only. "Like most young kids, it all started in basements and garages. Just best friends with a common interest, and we tried our best." He laughs and confesses that the task wasn't always successful. "We were a mess at times, but you have to work at something before you can become good at it. That's the beauty of the process." When asked about the takeaways and benefits of starting out as a singer exclusively, Shynes admits that it had a profound effect. "It benefited me in a huge way to be able to start exclusively from the lyrical and pattern writing side. I was able to recognize the ingredients of what made a well crafted melody. So much of music is just knowing who you are and where your strengths reside."
After several years of writing and performing with various bands and projects, Shynes began to sense a dissonance growing inside of him. "For me it has never been about just having a good time. I try to get into that head space I can never stay for long." Another long pause to gather perspective. "It is simply my life. Its what keeps me up at night and wakes me up early in the morning." When I appear discerning of his statement, Shynes simply laughs and says "I can't help it."
So far, that unrelenting passion has enabled him to accomplish some truly noteworthy feats. In his brief tenure as a songwriter, Shynes has performed on some of the most recognizable stages in the Midwest (The Excel Energy Center, The Taste of Minnesota Mainstage, Mississippi Music Fest, and The Varsity Theater to name a few). He has also shared the stage with countless National acts such as Eric Hutchinson, Tyler Hilton, and Soul Asylum. While studying at SCSU, Shynes won the annual Battle of the Bands all three years he attended (No other musician had accomplished that feat twice). And in 2008, Shynes took home the Grand Prize in a clash between the top talent in the region at the prestigious Fox 9 Battle of the Bands.
Listing these accolades off to him one after another, he seems unmoved by the content. "If I was satisfied I would have stopped by now, but I feel like I'm just getting started.
As for what the future holds for the gifted singer/songwriter, his outlook is simple. "Its not as much about looking ahead as it is about savoring every moment. If you're out there playing a show with your next show in mind, you are missing the opportunity to reach people." When I asked him how, he goes about reaching an audience, his answer was quite provocative. "You have to reach yourself first, and then assume that as humans we are all fighting the same battles." Shynes believes that if he is able to do that, that success ultimately follow. I will not be betting against it.
-Tyler Evans RX Magazine
When You're Older
Michael Shynes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Feel the breeze, come walk with me
Oh and dance, come dance with me
Shuffle your feet, come dance with me
And i will tell you when youre older,
How i loved you just the same
It only matters where we′re going
If live just get you down, steels your crown
And breaks your will
Then i will pick you up
Brush out the dirt and hold you
And I will tell you when youre older,
How I loved you just the same
It only matters where we're going
It never mattered from where you came
Go to sleep my darling
The night is getting darker
You can dream about tomorrow
And i will tell you when youre older
How I loved you just the same
It only matters where you going
It never mattered from where you came
And I will tell you when youre older
How I loved you just the same
It only matters where you going
It never mattered from where you
The lyrics of Michael Shynes's song When You're Older communicate the unconditional love and support that a parent offers to their child throughout their life. The song begins with an invitation to walk, feel the breeze, and dance together. These actions represent the joy and freedom of being alive and experiencing life with someone you love. As the song progresses, the lyrics shift to expressing the parent's commitment to their child, promising to always be there to pick them up when life knocks them down.
The chorus of the song emphasizes that the parent's love for their child is unwavering and not dependent on where they came from, but rather where they are going. The lyrics say, "It never mattered from where you came," emphasizing that the child’s background does not change the parent’s love for them. Towards the end of the song, the parent tells the child to go to sleep, and promises to share their love story and commitment to the child when they are older.
Overall, the lyrics of When You're Older are a beautiful message of love, hope, and commitment to a child. The song is a touching reminder of the importance of our relationships with our loved ones and the role that love and support play in shaping our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Walk come walk with me
Come take a walk with me and feel the breeze.
Feel the breeze, come walk with me
Experience the fresh air with me while we walk together.
Oh and dance, come dance with me
Let's dance and enjoy the beat of the music.
Shuffle your feet, come dance with me
Let's have some fun with a simple dance step together.
And i will tell you when youre older,
How i loved you just the same
It only matters where we′re going
It never mattered from where you came
I will share with you, when you are older, how much I loved you, no matter where you came from. What matters most is where we are headed together.
If live just get you down, steels your crown
And breaks your will
Then i will pick you up
Brush out the dirt and hold you
If life brings you down, takes away your confidence, and breaks your spirit, I will be there to help you up, clean off the dirt and hold you close.
Go to sleep my darling
The night is getting darker
You can dream about tomorrow
It's time for you to rest, my love. The night is getting darker, but you can dream about tomorrow and all the beautiful things it holds.
And i will tell you when youre older
How I loved you just the same
It only matters where you going
It never mattered from where you came
I promise to remind you when you are older of how much I loved you, no matter where you came from. What matters most is where you are headed.
And I will tell you when youre older
How I loved you just the same
It only matters where you going
It never mattered from where you came
Once again, I will tell you in the future how much you mean to me, and that your past does not define you. The most important thing is where you are headed.
Writer(s): Dan Rodriguez
Contributed by Arianna P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@piro88
This guy played at our wedding. He played this song and it was the first real dance I had had with my toddler step daughter. It was a life changing experience.
Michael Shynes is not just a great musician, he's an incredible person. I know first hand! If you live anywhere near MN(maybe he goes farther I dunno I'm just a fan and know that's where he's from... Got married in Wisconsin though so..!) you should consider him for live performances or weddings!!
@susanlaurence8745
I was in a little boutique shop in Adelaide, South Australi 2 days ago. The shop owner had lovely music playing. I asked her who she was playing and it was you Michael Shynes. I loved your music immediately and so does my elderly Mother. In fact it was Mum that said, Who is playing this lovely music. Now that I've found you, I'll be following and sharing you with my friends. Love your vibe.
Soozi from Adelaide xx
@jackr2287
A Girl in the Woods sends me here. Just the sort of vibes I need.
@Lardfast_Racing
Same here
@kutsbothways
And I.
@martinacatchpole8264
Me too
@shaunaleeroach3240
She is my fav channel. Just love her. I love the woods the same.
@vickywilkinson3115
Such a beautiful song. Every women dreams of hearing these words. This would make the perfect wedding song ❤️❤️❤️
@arviejoyrecto7883
I'm sad. His songs are so underrated. I mean his songs are beautiful! How dare you people!
@MrIcepick68
what a great and beautiful song with a deep message.Take care of yourselfs in these hard times,greetings from germany !!!