Mr. Big combined two po… Read Full Bio ↴(For the 70s British rock band, see Mr Big.)
Mr. Big combined two popular musical trends of the rock scene in the mid to late 80s: a particular brand of hard rock focused on melodies and listener-friendly choruses made for the arena, and impressive technical proficiency, then called shredding. The seeds for the group were sown when bass player Billy Sheehan (considered one of the top bassists of rock, often thought to be the bass equivalent of guitarist Eddie Van Halen) left David Lee Roth's solo band in 1988. Almost immediately after his exit, Sheehan began piecing together a new outfit, with the help of Mike Varney from Shrapnel Records, a label specialized in the shredding genre. The band comprised Shrapnel artist and former Racer X guitarist Paul Gilbert, Pat Torpey on drums, and singer Eric Martin, who had a number of album releases throughout the 1980s with his Eric Martin Band.
By 1989, the newly formed quartet, already regarded as a budding supergroup, had already inked a recording contract with Atlantic, resulting in the release of a self-titled debut the same year. Produced by Kevin Elson and Val Garay, 'Mr. Big' proved a partial commercial success, reaching the 46th slot on the Billboard 200 chart. Lead-off single "Addicted to that Rush", featuring the band's aggressive guitar and bass playing, also brought the group some mainstream attention, reaching the #39 slot on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart.
Despite causing a buzz among musicians, the album didn't quite cross over to a mainstream rock audience stateside, though Mr. Big was an immediate smash success overseas in Japan. The band's breakthrough came with their second album, 'Lean Into It', in 1991. It featured two power ballads that established the band as a total commercial success: "To Be With You" and "Just Take My Heart". The group also released arena rock songs that have remained staples of their live set for years, such as "Green-Tinted Sixties Mind".
Other releases followed, 'Bump Ahead' in 1993 and 'Hey Man' in 1996, but the band never replicated its earlier success in the U.S. market. The rise of grunge and nu metal groups damped much of the mainstream's interest in traditional arena-made hard rock. In Japan, on the other hand, they continued to sell out tours, resulting in a number of live releases for the Japanese market throughout their career (from "Raw Like Sushi" in 1990 to Mr. Big in Japan in 2002 among later releases). Paul Gilbert left the band in 1997 to pursue a solo career and eventually reform Racer X. Richie Kotzen, another Shrapnel artist and former guitarist for Poison, was brought in to take on guitar duties, also contributing occasional vocals.
Two studio albums were released by this lineup: 'Get Over It' in 2000 and 'Actual Size' in 2001, which featured the single Shine used in the anime Hellsing. Tensions in the band between Billy Sheehan and the other members, especially Eric Martin, led to the band's demise-- contractual obligations for yet another Japanese tour were fulfilled in the form of a "farewell tour". The multi-million record-selling band broke up in 2002, many years since their last hit in the United States but while still enjoying great popularity in Japan.
In February 2009, as a result of fan-demand and also after several coincidences over the past couple of years that have gradually brought the group back together again, Eric Martin, Pat Torpey, Paul Gilbert, and Billy Sheehan finally announced their decision to reunite.
In September 2010, Mr. Big recorded a seventh album with producer Kevin Shirley at a Los Angeles-area studio. The album (What If...) was released in Japan on December 15, 2010, in Europe on January 21, 2011, and in the US in February 2011. The group's latest album, Defying Gravity, was recorded in Los Angeles in six days, and released on July 21, 2017. Due to Pat Torpey being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, he could not play drums fully on the record and played on only several tracks. Matt Starr recorded the drum tracks, while Pat Torpey acted as "drum producer."
On February 7, 2018, drummer Pat Torpey died from complications of Parkinson's disease at the age of 64. His last show took place at the Wulfrun Hall in Wolverhampton on November 23, 2017. A memorial show took place on May 23, 2018 at The Canyon in Agoura Hills, California, with former member Richie Kotzen as a special guest.
Trapped In Toyland
Mr. Big Lyrics
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Watch the vermin go by through a heavy coat of chain mail
So ya wanna change the world out ya still can't decide
They can take away the cash out a fool's got his pride
Everyone must kneel before the man
The leader of the band
Trapped in Toyland
20 odd years since you heard "Revolution"
Feeding your fears with psychological pollution
Everybody in the world tryin' to take you for a ride
So you get behind the wheel just to realize you're blind
Sycophants associates 'n press men
Read the upper hand
Trapped in Toyland
Well it seems like years since anybody knew your name
And you're browin' in your tears out it's all just the same
And it seems such a waste for a man with such pride
But it's obvious reality is eatin' at you insides
Sycophants associates n' press men
Read the upper hand
Trapped in Toyland
Everyone must kneel before the man
The leader of the band
Trapped in Toyland
Where Do I Fit In?
Don't you color me by the way you paint your pictures
I'm happy just the way I am
It's been soaked into my bones, a child under pressure
I'm a bastard of the master plan
I wanna live my life
Don't wanna live a lie
I hear freedom ringin'
Everyone's got a place
But where do I fit in
Don't go sellin' me a dream you can't deliver
Like a dog in a cat suit, it's a poor disguise
Strange little angels a parade of saints and sinners
Greetings from the other side
I wanna live my life
Don't wanna live a lie
I hear freedom ringin'
Everyone's got a place
But where do I fit in
I was walking on glass from thousand broken mirrors
Saw my reflection stare me down
I tried to run, I was going through the motions
I got my feet on solid ground
I wanna live by life
Don't wanna live a lie
I hear freedom ringin'
I wasn't the same as you baby
But take a walk in my shoes
I hear freedom ringin'
Everyone's got a place
But where do I fit in
In Mr. Big’s song “Trapped in Toyland,” the lyrics speak to feeling stuck in a situation after years of working for someone else. The first verse starts with “20 long years ridin’ somebody’s coattails,” which indicates that the singer has been working for someone else for a long time. They have been watching “the vermin go by through a heavy coat of chain mail” – this could mean that they are protected but also feel trapped. They want to change the world, but they cannot decide on how to do it. The song speaks to the struggle of wanting to make a change but feeling stuck in a certain position. The chorus repeats the phrase “Trapped in Toyland” several times to emphasize this feeling of being stuck or imprisoned.
The second verse continues this theme, describing the singer’s journey of trying to find meaning and purpose. They have not heard “Revolution” in 20 odd years, and instead have been “feeding their fears with psychological pollution.” They want to be in control, so they get behind the wheel, but they realize that they are blind. The lyrics touch on the idea of manipulation and influence from others (sycophants, associates, and press men) that make it harder to find one’s own way.
The third verse then speaks to the singer’s feeling of being lost or forgotten. They lament that nobody has known their name for years, and they are “browin’ in their tears.” It seems like a waste for someone with such pride, but reality is eating them from the inside. The chorus repeats again, emphasizing this feeling of being trapped in a situation beyond their control while others control the game.
Overall, “Trapped in Toyland” speaks to feeling stuck in a situation where you don’t have control and are struggling to find your way. The lyrics touch on the idea that manipulation and influence from others can make it harder to find your own purpose and meaning in life.
Line by Line Meaning
20 long years ridin' somebody's coattails
I've spent two decades living in someone else's shadow, depending on their success to carry me.
Watch the vermin go by through a heavy coat of chain mail
I'm protected by my defenses, which prevent anyone from getting too close, but also isolate me from the world.
So ya wanna change the world out ya still can't decide
I have a vision for a different world, but I'm scared to take the risks necessary to make it happen.
They can take away the cash out a fool's got his pride
Even if I lose everything else, I'll still have my dignity and self-respect.
Everyone must kneel before the man
I've achieved power and status, and now demand respect and obedience from others.
The leader of the band
I'm in charge, and everyone else is following my lead.
Trapped in Toyland
I'm stuck in a superficial, materialistic world where appearance is more important than substance.
20 odd years since you heard "Revolution"
It's been a long time since I felt inspired to make real change in the world.
Feeding your fears with psychological pollution
My mind is polluted with doubt, fear, and negativity, which prevents me from taking action.
Everybody in the world tryin' to take you for a ride
There are many people who want to use me or manipulate me for their own gain.
So you get behind the wheel just to realize you're blind
I try to take control of my life, but I'm unsure where to go or what to do next.
Sycophants associates 'n press men
There are people around me who pretend to be my friends, but really only care about what I can do for them.
Read the upper hand
They take advantage of my vulnerability and weakness to gain power over me.
Well it seems like years since anybody knew your name
I've lost touch with my own identity and become isolated from others.
And you're browin' in your tears out it's all just the same
I'm stuck in a rut, unable to make progress or break free from my situation.
And it seems such a waste for a man with such pride
I have many qualities and talents, but feel frustrated that I'm not able to use them to their full potential.
But it's obvious reality is eatin' at you insides
The gap between my aspirations and reality is causing me pain and dissatisfaction.
Don't you color me by the way you paint your pictures
Don't judge me based on your own preconceived notions or prejudices.
I'm happy just the way I am
I'm comfortable with who I am and don't feel the need to change.
It's been soaked into my bones, a child under pressure
My past experiences and upbringing have shaped who I am and how I view the world.
I'm a bastard of the master plan
I don't fit neatly into anyone else's expectations or plans for my life.
I wanna live my life
I want to be free to pursue my own goals and dreams, rather than conform to someone else's standards.
Don't wanna live a lie
I don't want to pretend to be someone I'm not, or live up to someone else's expectations of me.
I hear freedom ringin'
I'm inspired by the idea of being free from the constraints and limitations that hold me back.
Everyone's got a place
Every person has a unique role or purpose in life.
But where do I fit in
I'm unsure of where I belong or what my place is in the world.
Don't go sellin' me a dream you can't deliver
Don't make promises or give false hope if you can't follow through on them.
Like a dog in a cat suit, it's a poor disguise
Someone who is trying to be something they're not is easily recognizable and not fooling anyone.
Strange little angels a parade of saints and sinners
There are many different types of people in the world, and they may not always fit into neat categories or labels.
Greetings from the other side
There are many different perspectives and viewpoints in the world, and it's important to try to understand and respect them.
I was walking on glass from thousand broken mirrors
I was surrounded by shattered, fragmented pieces of myself and my life.
Saw my reflection stare me down
I was forced to confront my own flaws and shortcomings.
I tried to run, I was going through the motions
I wanted to escape my problems, but felt like I was just going through the motions without making any real progress.
I got my feet on solid ground
I found stability and clarity, and was able to gain a foothold in my life.
I wasn't the same as you baby
I'm different from others, and that's okay.
But take a walk in my shoes
Try to understand my perspective and experiences before judging me.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JEFF MARTIN, PAUL BRANDON GILBERT, RUSS PARRISH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
metallooney
R.I.P. to drummer Pat Torpey.
Old School Stuff
This is Mr big in my world! \m/ Great tune!!
Patrick Reeves
My buddy dropped $60 for the Japanese import of this album the year it came out. I remember we found it by chance about 3 months before it came out in America at a little shop in Beaverton Oregon that sometimes had import's. Anyway, I never to this day have seen an album that was packaged cooler than the version he got at that store. It had the cardboard sleeve that was glossy, stickers, and like 3 cd booklets in it. Thing was super cool. Wasn't really into the album though.
Trapped in Toyland, and Take Cover were my favs.
Rubberbandman529
1 of their best! :D
Kaffee7
and only mr big can mix a heavy riff with harmonies aka 2.20 -->
Ken Vance
Love those harmonys
vegetable farm松本 松本和之
この曲1番好きかも。
Kaffee7
these guys were so unique!!! trully one of a kind of sound, + they were/are like brothers
The Nerdy Hobbit
This is the similar sound Eric employs in the whole world is gonna know
So compressed and husky
It is sick!
But I think it's not that healthy. Considering Eric never use this sound in live performance.
Milica Jovanovic
In the line "20 years since you heard Revolution", are they referring to the Beatles' song "Revolution"?