Ness was born in Stoneham, Massachusetts and raised in Fullerton in Orange County, California. Kicked out of his parents' home in Fullerton at the age of fifteen, he dabbled in drugs and petty crime, involving himself in the punk scene and founding Social Distortion in 1978. The band signed a contract with Posh Boy Records in 1981, releasing the Mainliner/Playpen 7" record. Then the band moved to 13th Floor Records in 1982 and released the album Mommy's Little Monster (1982).
By this time, Ness's drug addiction and self-destructive behavior had deepened to the point that the band almost broke up. The turmoil was captured on a video, Another State of Mind, which chronicled a cross-country tour. Five years passed before Social Distortion released their next album, 1988's Prison Bound, on Restless Records but Ness emerged from the time off free of his addictions and ready to work.
In 1989, Social Distortion signed a deal with Epic Records and released four albums with that label: the self-titled album (1990), Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell (1992) and White Light, White Heat, White Trash (1996).
The band left Epic Records after White Light, White Heat, White Trash (1996) and joined Time Bomb Recordings, releasing Mainliner: Wreckage From the Past (a collection of old recordings and singles that were done in the early '80s) and Live at the Roxy (1998).
In 1999, Ness released his first solo album, Cheating at Solitaire. Although Social Distortion's music had contained country inflections as far back as Prison Bound, Cheating at Solitaire was an unalloyed expression of Ness's country side. 'Solitaire' included guest appearances by rock icon Bruce Springsteen, former Stray Cat Brian Setzer and drumming legend Josh Freese as well as members of Royal Crown Revue. Springsteen had touted Social D's 'Heaven and Hell' as his favorite record of the year in a Rolling Stone interview in 1992. Ness continued in this vein, releasing a compilation of country covers entitled Under the Influences that same year. Both albums came out on Time Bomb Recordings. Ness toured extensively in the U.S. in support of these albums, backed partially by the present-day (2006) incarnation of Social Distortion; Charlie Quintana (drums) Brent Harding (standing & electric bass) and Johnny Wickersham (guitar tech). Ness and the band played at Woodstock '99. After that, his bandmate and guitarist Dennis Danell died on February 29, 2000 due to an aneurysm, but Social Distortion did not completely disband.
In 2004, Social Distortion came back with a live DVD called "Live In Orange County," and then recorded an album titled Sex, Love and Rock 'n' Roll, which was released on Time Bomb Recordings. These efforts marked the first recordings with a line up consisting of Ness on Guitar and vocals, Wickersham on guitar, and Quintana on drums and also consisted of songs co-written by Ness and Wickersham. This is the first time Ness collaborated with another songwriter since 1990's self-titled album, on which he and then bassist John Maurer wrote 'Let it be Me'. The band's lineup changed twice after Maurer left the band, just a month before the release on Sex, Love and Rock 'n' Roll. He was replaced by Operation Ivy/Rancid bassist Matt Freeman until early 2005 and current member Brent Harding joined as his replacement.
In February 2006, Ness broke his wrist while skateboarding in Las Vegas. T.S.O.L. guitarist Ron Emory is filling in on guitar duties while Mike's wrist heals. Mike is still performing, just not playing guitar.
Social Distortion is currently working on their next studio album, which is due for release in late 2006/early 2007.
Ness currently lives in Santa Ana, California with his wife Christine Marie, and two sons Johnny and Julian. He is also a hot rod enthusiast, driving a chopped 1954 Chevy leadsled, a 1936 Ford, and a 1960 Chevy Impala.
(from Wikipedia : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Ness).
Funnel of Love
Mike Ness Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My mind is a blank, my head is spinning around and around
As I go deep into the funnel of love
It's such a crazy, crazy feeling
I get weak in the knees, my poor old head is a-reeling
As I go deep into the funnel of love
I even tried to run away
You just can't run from the funnel of love
It's bound to get you someday
It's such a crazy, crazy feeling
I get weak in the knees, my poor old head is a-reeling
As I go deep into the funnel of love
I tried and I tried to run and hide
I even tried to run away
You just can't run from the funnel of love
It's bound to get you someday
Here I go, falling down, down, down
My mind is a blank, my head is spinning around and around
As I go deep into the funnel of love
Deep into the funnel of love
Deep into the funnel of love
The lyrics of Mike Ness's "Funnel of Love" describe the feeling of falling deeply and uncontrollably for someone. The "funnel of love" serves as a metaphor for the intense, consuming emotions that can arise when two individuals fall in love. The singer describes feeling dizzy and disoriented as they spiral deeper into this metaphorical funnel. They express a sense of helplessness, as though they have no control over the way they feel.
The singer has attempted to resist this love and run away from their feelings, but they ultimately realize that it is impossible to escape the "funnel of love." The lyrics convey a sense of wild abandon and surrender to the overwhelming power of love. Despite the potential for heartbreak and pain, the singer is willing to take the risk and give in to their emotions.
Overall, "Funnel of Love" is a simple, yet effective portrayal of the all-consuming emotions that can arise when one falls deeply in love.
Line by Line Meaning
Here I go, falling down, down, down
I'm about to go deep into the experience of love, and I can feel myself descending into it further and further.
My mind is a blank, my head is spinning around and around
I'm so lost in love that I can't think straight, and my thoughts keep swirling around uncontrollably.
As I go deep into the funnel of love
I'm getting pulled further into this intense experience of love.
It's such a crazy, crazy feeling
Love can be an overwhelming and irrational emotion that doesn't always make sense.
I get weak in the knees, my poor old head is a-reeling
This love is so powerful that my body feels physically weak, and my mind feels like it's spinning out of control.
I tried and I tried to run and hide
I attempted to avoid or escape from love, but it was impossible.
I even tried to run away
I made a real effort to distance myself from love, but it still managed to find me.
You just can't run from the funnel of love
It's impossible to avoid love forever - it eventually catches up to you.
It's bound to get you someday
Love is an inevitable part of life, and everyone will experience it at some point.
Deep into the funnel of love
Reinforcing that I'm getting increasingly lost in this experience of love.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CHARLIE MCCOY, KENT WESTBERRY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind