It started out back in the early 90's, when Jonas and Peter met up with Jesper to share and talk about "synth-music". They got together, started writing songs all just for fun, and recorded some demos that they have up to date kept for themselves. They really didn't take anything that seriously, they just liked to make some good noise from the keyboards.
This went on for a couple of years, but in 1999 it was decided that they should go into a studio and make a demo wich featured the song "Miseries" among a couple of others. At that stage they hadn't decided wich one of them who would be the lead singer of the band. After a little twisting and turning it was to be found that Peter Ehn was the right choice. And today, Peter, with his warmth and depth, really brings out the best of the songs. Nothing happend with the demo, but they decided to go for it again, at Crimson Productions.
Jonas had been away for half a year, but came home with some fresh ideas that was put together in the computer. So they recorded "So Astray," "Want, Need, Me," and "Domination" and came in contact with the record label of Memento Materia. They invited the guys to a contest, where the winner would end up with a contract. And as it turned out well they were signed by Memento Materia from then on.
In autumn 2002, the first album "Graceful And In Sin" was finished, and has been out on the market since the 27th of Jan 2003. In 2004 firstly a CDM called "Red Dawn" was released followed by their second album "Ultimate Sky". After signing up with Infacted Recordings they re-released that album in 2005 with three additional bonus tracks.
Michigan disbanded in 2016, with Jonas Öberg continuing as Modular State.
Michigan are:
Peter Ehn, Lead singer
Jonas Öberg, Keyboard, Chorus
Jesper Ljungberg, Keyboard, programming
Red Dawn
Michigan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Somebody's waiting for you
Down on the ground
Where the pictures of burning fire
Always shines
Here comes the dawning
And without warning I drown
In the sun but my body
As long as I wear this crown
Don't hesitate
Don't be afraid
There is always a chance when the day
Arise and tell you where
To turn
It's just time to pray here
To save our souls
From mind games the fear
Paints my heart it's so clear
All the shadows slowly disappear
Here comes the red dawn
Here comes the red dawn
A new day is calling
Sometimes surprises arrive
Framed by the sound that keeps
Pounding in my head
A lonely little heart
It's nearly morning
It feels like a thorn in
My side
I'm alone as I'm taking
The next step further on
With my pride
Don't say you care
Don't stay up there
Listen please when my heart it speaks
It's easy to pretend you're weak
It's just time to pray here
To save our souls
From mind games the fear
Paints my heart it's so clear
All the shadows slowly disappear
Here comes the red dawn
Here comes the red dawn
It's just time to pray here
To save our souls
From mind games the fear
Paints my heart it's so clear
All the shadows slowly disappear
Here comes the red dawn
Here comes the red dawn
It's just time to pray here
To save our souls
From mind games the fear
Paints my heart it's so clear
All the shadows slowly disappear
Here comes the red dawn
Here comes the red dawn
The lyrics of Michigan's song Red Dawn suggest a new beginning after a period of struggle, uncertainty and fear. The imagery of falling and drowning while someone waits down on the ground for the singer suggests a feeling of being rescued or supported in a time of crisis. The pictures of burning fire that always shine on the ground creates a sense of familiar chaos and destruction, but the dawning of a new day brings hope and direction. The crown that the singer wears symbolizes their strength and resilience, and they encourage listeners not to hesitate or be afraid when faced with uncertainty. The red dawn represents a fresh start and a new opportunity to overcome personal challenges.
The chorus emphasizes the importance of prayer to save one's soul from the mind games that fear can create. The sound that pounds in the singer's head is a reminder of past struggles that they have overcome, and the loneliness that they feel in taking the next step further emphasizes the personal nature of their journey. The final refrain of the chorus emphasizes that all shadows will slowly disappear as the red dawn arrives, signaling a brighter future.
Line by Line Meaning
As you are falling
In moments of weakness and despair
Somebody's waiting for you
There is always hope and support available
Down on the ground
In the real world
Where the pictures of burning fire
The memories of past struggles and pain
Always shines
Are always present in our minds
Here comes the dawning
A new beginning is approaching
And without warning I drown
But sometimes change can feel overwhelming
In the sun but my body
But our inner strength
Is sacred
Cannot be taken away
As long as I wear this crown
As long as we hold onto our dignity and self-respect
Don't hesitate
Don't be afraid to take the next step forward
Don't be afraid
Fear can hold us back from progress
There is always a chance when the day
Opportunities for growth are always present
Arise and tell you where
We just have to be open to them and follow our intuition
To turn
In the right direction
It's just time to pray here
In difficult times, we need to seek guidance
To save our souls
To protect ourselves from negative influences
From mind games the fear
From our own doubts and insecurities
Paints my heart it's so clear
That can cloud our judgment and emotions
All the shadows slowly disappear
But with the help of faith, hope and optimism, we can overcome darkness
Here comes the red dawn
A new beginning, filled with courage and determination
A new day is calling
We have the power to create a bright future
Sometimes surprises arrive
Life can take unexpected turns
Framed by the sound that keeps
But we must stay true to our values and beliefs
Pounding in my head
Even in the midst of chaos and confusion
A lonely little heart
We are not alone in our struggles
It's nearly morning
A new day is about to dawn
It feels like a thorn in
But sometimes progress can feel painful
My side
As we leave behind what's familiar and comfortable
I'm alone as I'm taking
We must have the courage to take the next step forward, even in solitude
The next step further on
To continue growing and evolving
With my pride
Without sacrificing our self-respect and dignity
Don't say you care
Words are meaningless without action
Don't stay up there
We must be willing to come down to earth, face reality and take action
Listen please when my heart it speaks
To truly understand ourselves and others, we need to listen with empathy and compassion
It's easy to pretend you're weak
But true strength comes from vulnerability and authenticity
Contributed by Mason L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.