While "Good" earned the band critical notoriety and substantial underground cred, they did not -- with this release or any subsequent -- break into the mainstream. After the release of Good, the band replaced Dupree with Billy Conway, a former bandmate of Sandman. Morphine's 1992 release of Cure for Pain, promoted by heavy touring, received some mainstream positive attention, selling over 300,000 copies worldwide and spawning a chart hit in many countries with the single Buena
Subsequent releases include Yes and Like Swimming.
On July 3, 1999, Mark Sandman collapsed on stage in Palestrina, Italy, a suburb of Rome. He was pronounced dead of a heart attack at the scene. He was 46. Morphine released The Night -- arguably their best effort -- posthumously in 2000.
After Sandman's death, the remaining band members reformed and continued to record as Twinemen and later as The Ever Expanding Elastic Waste Band
In 2004, the Mark Sandman box set Sandbox was released by Hi-n-Dry, Mark Sandman's own label. It contains two CDs and a DVD of previously unreleased material spanning Sandman’s musical career. The DVD features clips from early Sandman shows, interviews from the Morphine tours, and various videos from other Sandman solo and group projects, such as Treat Her Right.
"Some day there'll be a cure for pain,
And that's the day I throw my drugs away" - Mark Sandman
Links:
The Other Side - A Morphine Fanzine
Morphine at Myspace
??in spite of me??
Morphine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They smiled patiently with disbelief
I always knew you would succeed no matter what you tried
And I know you did it all in spite of me
Still I'm proud to have know you for the short time that I did
Glad to have been a step up on your way
Proud to be part of your illustrious career
In spite of me
Late last night I saw you in my living room
You seemed so close but yet so cold
For a long time I thought that you'd be coming back to me
Those kind of thoughts can be so cruel
So cruel And I know you did it all in spite of me
In spite of me
The opening lines of "In Spite of Me" by Morphine sets the tone for a poignant ode to a former lover who has gone on to achieve "illustrious" success despite the singer's lack of faith in them - "Last night I told a stranger all about you. They smiled patiently with disbelief. I always knew you would succeed no matter what you tried. And I know you did it all in spite of me." The singer, while coming to terms with the fact that the former lover has indeed moved on, is proud to have known them for the short time that they did, and to have played a small part in their journey - "Still, I'm proud to have known you for the short time that I did, glad to have been a step up on your way. Proud to be part of your illustrious career."
But the second verse takes a sadder turn in the form of a shattered dream. The singer sees the former lover in their living room, seemingly within reach, but ultimately unreachable. The thoughts of reconciliation that creep up can be unkind, as they eventually realize that the former lover has moved beyond what they had shared - "For a long time I thought that you'd be coming back to me. Those kind of thoughts can be so cruel. So cruel. And I know you did it all in spite of me. In spite of me." The song ends on a bittersweet note, with the singer coming to terms with the fact that the former lover has moved on and succeeded, even without their support, and that they should be proud of them.
Overall, "In Spite of Me" is a beautifully crafted song that explores the themes of love, loss, and pride, all while showcasing the unique sound that Morphine was known for, with lead singer and bassist Mark Sandman's signature two-string slide bass and saxophonist Dana Colley's haunting saxophone melodies.
Line by Line Meaning
Last night I told a stranger all about you
I recently spoke to someone I don't know about you
They smiled patiently with disbelief
They reacted skeptically and politely to what I said
I always knew you would succeed no matter what you tried
I expected you to be successful despite any obstacles
And I know you did it all in spite of me
I'm aware that you achieved success despite my lack of support
Still I'm proud to have known you for the short time that I did
Nonetheless, I feel proud to have met you
Glad to have been a step up on your way
I'm happy to have been a positive influence in your life
Proud to be part of your illustrious career
I take pride in being involved in your impressive professional life
Late last night I saw you in my living room
Yesterday night, I imagined seeing you in my house
You seemed so close but yet so cold
Even though you appeared to be near, you seemed distant and aloof
For a long time I thought that you'd be coming back to me
I used to believe you would return to me
Those kind of thoughts can be so cruel
However, such thoughts can be painful and misleading
And I know you did it all in spite of me
I acknowledge that you accomplished all that you did despite my opposition
In spite of me
Despite my lack of support or encouragement
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Mark Sandman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@JoseAfonsoR
"Last night I told a stranger all about you
They smiled patiently with disbelief
I always knew you would succeed no matter what you tried
And I know you did it all in spite of me
Still I'm proud to have know you for the short time that I did
Glad to have been a step up on your way
Proud to be part of your illustrious career
And I know you did it all in spite of me
In spite of me
Late last night I saw you in my living room
You seemed so close but yet so cold
For a long time I thought that you'd be coming back to me
Those kind of thoughts can be so cruel
So cruel and I know you did it all in spite of me
In spite of me"
Que letra!
@andreiarodrigues7674
ranger all about you
They smiled patiently with disbelief
I' always knew you would succeed
No matter what you tried
And I know you did it all
In spite of me
Still I'm proud to have known you
For the short time that I did
Proud to have been a step up on your way
Proud to be a part of your illustrious career
And I know you did it all
In spite of me
In spite of me
Late last night
I saw you in my living room
You seemed so close but yet so cool
For a long time I thought that you'd be coming back to me
Those kind of thoughts can be so cruel
So cruel
And I know you did it all
In spite of me
In spite of me
@juanzorondo
Anoche le dije a un extraño todo acerca de ti,
Sonrió con paciencia e incredulidad.
Siempre supe que tendrías éxito no importa lo que intentases.
Y sé que lo hiciste todo a pesar de mí.
Todavía me siento orgulloso de haberte conocido por poco tiempo que fuera.
Me alegro de haber sido un paso adelante en tu camino,
Orgulloso de ser parte de tu ilustre carrera.
Y sé que lo hiciste todo a pesar de mí.
A pesar de mí.
Anoche te vi en mi sala,
Parecías tan cerca, pero al mismo tiempo tan fría.
Durante mucho tiempo pensé que ibas a volver a mi lado.
Ese tipo de pensamientos pueden ser tan crueles,
Tan cruel...
Y yo sé que lo hiciste todo a pesar de mí...
A pesar de mí.
@brholland62
this album moved me. my bf who died had introduced me to the sandman. i just love these lyrics. i have felt and seen him in my living room too. he was a beautiful soul and i miss him every day. r.i.p. dan. the love of my life. you saved me.
@Hermunkle
Brenda Holland R.I.P. Return If Possible
@johnsound6107
@@Hermunkle but darling we always return,to not do so would be impossible.
@andrecarriere5510
bless you sister
@deadalivegirl
@@Hermunkle I have never heard that but I will never forget it.😔
@user-qk6kl3fy4r
:)
@sye50
I remember when me and my wife lost our baby. I was just addicted to this song for many months. I never found anything that was so truthful as this song. To anyone that passed through a shit storm like that, all my best feelings... Time flies...
Still I'm proud to have know you for the short time that I did
Glad to have been a step up on your way
Proud to be part of your illustrious career
And I know you did it all in spite of me...
@JoseAfonsoR
"Last night I told a stranger all about you
They smiled patiently with disbelief
I always knew you would succeed no matter what you tried
And I know you did it all in spite of me
Still I'm proud to have know you for the short time that I did
Glad to have been a step up on your way
Proud to be part of your illustrious career
And I know you did it all in spite of me
In spite of me
Late last night I saw you in my living room
You seemed so close but yet so cold
For a long time I thought that you'd be coming back to me
Those kind of thoughts can be so cruel
So cruel and I know you did it all in spite of me
In spite of me"
Que letra!
@augustmoon0004
José Afonso R. “Glad” is another “Proud”
@tomasbarral
!