Baker was an integral part in the formation of Shadow Gallery in 1985 when the band was known as Sorcerer at the time of their inception. Heavily influenced by singers Alice Cooper, Ronnie James Dio of Black Sabbath, Rob Halford of Judas Priest and Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden, he integrated the musical attributes of these bands and vocalists into his style of singing.[2]
Baker was primarily a self-taught vocalist, originally starting out as bass player during high school. Finding it difficult to sing and play bass simultaneously, he dropped the bass and switched over to lead vocal duties. Before forming Sorcerer, in the early 1980’s he performed vocals on demos with local bands, including Nasty Nasty and Axxis.[3]
Baker also performed guest vocals on the second single Day Sixteen: Loser from Ayreon's 2004 album The Human Equation and on the Original Cast of Leonardo: The Absolute Man amongst others.
According to an email sent to the Shadow Gallery News email list on October 31, 2008, Baker died after suffering a heart attack on October 29, 2008 at the age of 45.[4]
The Trees
Mike Baker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There is trouble with the trees,
For the maples want more sunlight
And the oaks ignore their pleas.
The trouble with the maples,
(And they're quite convinced they're right)
They say the oaks are just too lofty
But the oaks can't help their feelings
If they like the way they're made.
And they wonder why the maples
Can't be happy in their shade.
There is trouble in the forest,
And the creatures all have fled,
As the maples scream, "Oppression"
And the oaks just shake their heads
So the maples formed a union
And demanded equal rights.
They say, "The oaks are just too greedy;
We will make them give us light."
Now there's no more oak oppression,
For they passed a noble law,
And the trees are all kept equal
By hatchet, axe, and saw.
Mike Baker's "The Trees" is a commentary on the classic human societal conflict of the power dynamics and the desire for more power by the oppressed group. The lyrics describe a situation where there is unrest in the forest, which is caused by the maples, who want more sunlight, while the oaks ignore their pleas. The conflict arises from the fact that the maples feel that the oaks have too much power, and they are not willing to share the light. The maples believe that they have a right to equal access to sunlight, which the oaks are not willing to grant.
The lyrics highlight the arrogance and self-righteousness of the maples, who believe that they are right and the oaks are wrong. They accuse the oaks of being too greedy and not willing to share the light. However, the oaks are not at fault; they are only acting on their natural predisposition. The song implies that the maples' accusations are baseless and unfounded.
The song's climax is reached when the maples form a union and demand equal rights. They believe that the oaks are oppressing them, and they need more power to fight back. The union's demand leads to a noble law being passed that keeps all the trees equal by hatchet, axe, and saw. In essence, the song is a metaphor for the classic human societal conflict, the struggle for power, and the desire for equality.
Line by Line Meaning
There is unrest in the forest,
Something is causing turmoil in the forest
There is trouble with the trees,
Trouble is precisely with the trees
For the maples want more sunlight
Maples are trying to get more sunlight
And the oaks ignore their pleas.
Oaks do not take seriously the pleas of maples
The trouble with the maples,
The real issue lies with the maples
(And they're quite convinced they're right)
(Maples strongly uphold their viewpoint)
They say the oaks are just too lofty
Maples think oaks are excessively proud
And they grab up all the light.
Oaks acquire all the light sources
But the oaks can't help their feelings
Oaks are not responsible for their preferences
If they like the way they're made.
For them being the way they are, isn't their decision
And they wonder why the maples
Oaks are curious as to why maples
Can't be happy in their shade.
Can't be content with, the shadow of the oak trees
There is trouble in the forest,
The forest is still in chaos
And the creatures all have fled,
Animals have left the forest
As the maples scream, "Oppression"
The maples shout: "We're oppressed"
And the oaks just shake their heads
Oaks do not want to get involved
So the maples formed a union
Maples united to stand up for their rights
And demanded equal rights.
They demanded parity in power and authority
They say, "The oaks are just too greedy;
According to them, "Oaks are only seeking more"
We will make them give us light."
"We'll make oak trees give us more light"
Now there's no more oak oppression,
Finally got rid of oak trees' suppression
For they passed a noble law,
Enforced an honorable law
And the trees are all kept equal
All types of trees treated equally
By hatchet, axe, and saw.
By being cut and equalled down to the same size
Writer(s): Neil Peart, Alex Lifeson, Geddy Lee Weinrib
Contributed by Luke A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.