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).
Wildwood Flower
Mike Ness Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With the roses so red and the lilies so fair
With miles so green like an emerald hew
The pale and the nature and violet to blue
He promised to love her, he promised to love
To cherish her always, to others above.
She woke from her dream, and her idol was clay
He taught her to love him; he called her his flower
A blossom to cheer him through life's weary hour
Though her heart now is breaking sha'll never know
How his name makes her tremble, with pale cheeks to glow
She'll dance and she'll sing her life shall be gay
She'll banish his weeping, drive troubles away
She'll live yet to see him regret this dark hour
When we won and neglected this frail wild wood flower
Mike Ness's "Wildwood Flower" is a melancholic ballad that tells the story of a woman who immolates herself for a man who proved to be unworthy of her love. The woman is described as having black hair that waves and mingles with the roses, lilies, and green miles around her. Her beauty is likened to the pale nature, from violet to blue, showing that she is a true natural beauty. The ballad then tells how the man promised to love her and cherish her always, yet, the reality proves to be the contrary. The woman woke up one day to find out that the man whom she idolized was just clay, showing that he was nothing but a mere mortal.
The song then tells how the man taught the woman to love him, calling her his flower and asking her to stay by his side through life's weary hours. Nevertheless, when the woman's heart is breaking, and she needs the man the most, he proved to be nowhere to be found. Finally, the woman sings of her resilience, how she will dance and sing, driving her troubles away while living to witness the man regret the moment he neglected this frail wild wood flower.
Overall, "Wildwood Flower" depicts a woman who gave her all to a man who did not appreciate her worth. She was left heartbroken, but her resilience kept her going and gave her the strength to move on.
Line by Line Meaning
She'll twine and she'll mingle her waving black hair
She will blend her dark hair with the red roses and fair lilies, creating a contrast that is visually unique.
With miles so green like an emerald hew
The green miles are as sparkling and radiant as an emerald.
The pale and the nature and violet to blue
Amidst the soft and gentle nature of the wilderness, there is a mix of pale whites and shades of blue and purple.
He promised to love her, he promised to love
The man promised to love and care for her forever.
To cherish her always, to others above.
He would always cherish her above everyone else in his life.
She woke from her dream, and her idol was clay
Her illusions about him were shattered when she realized he was not worth her love and loyalty.
Her passion for loving had vanished away.
Her love and affection for him had disappeared.
He taught her to love him; he called her his flower
He manipulated her into loving him, and referred to her as his prized possession.
A blossom to cheer him through life's weary hour
She was his source of comfort and happiness during his difficult times.
Though her heart now is breaking sha'll never know
She is unaware that her heart is shattering.
How his name makes her tremble, with pale cheeks to glow
His name, still haunts and petrifies her, causing her to become nervous and anxious.
She'll dance and she'll sing her life shall be gay
She will choose to live joyfully, and make the most of what life has to offer.
She'll banish his weeping, drive troubles away
She will try her best to push her problems out of her mind and life, along with his constant weeping and melancholy behavior.
She'll live yet to see him regret this dark hour
She will live long enough to witness the man who once caused her pain, regret his actions.
When we won and neglected this frail wild wood flower
In the past, society ignored and took for granted the delicate beauty of the wild wood flower.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: A.P. CARTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind