In the late 70s, he and his childhood friend Steve George founded the band Pages (most notable for "I Do Believe In You") in Phoenix, Arizona. The outfit Mr. Mister sprang out of that project 1982. The two continued to apply their tight harmonies to background vocals on albums by successful pop artists like Laura Branigan while working on their own material as well. About the time when the first Mr. Mister album, titled 'I Wear the Face', came out in early 1984, Page was offered the chance to replace Bobby Kimball as lead singer of Toto. He even was also later offered Peter Cetera's place in the jazz rock outfit Chicago.
Page refused both offers, confident in Mr. Mister's potential. The single "Hunters of the Night" managed to become a near-hit, reaching the #57 slot on the Billboard Hot 100, and the new wave fueled album had brought them with producer Peter McIan, who had been behind releases by Dear Enemy and Men at Work. Still, the line-up of Page, George, Pat Mastelotto, and Steve Farris failed to reach a mass audience as the album just didn't sell that well.
Mr. Mister's second album, 1985's 'Welcome To The Real World', featured emotive lyrics from Page's cousin John Lang and became the breakthrough that the guys had been hoping for. The group had three top 10 singles, two of which even coming #1 hits on the U.S. pop charts. The band's compelling ballad "Broken Wings" had become a part of the national pop consciousness, particularly serving as a sort of 'signature song' for the outfit. In those days of widespread success, they toured with legendary diva Tina Turner, for whom their song "Stand And Deliver" was written. This song eventually appeared on Mr. Mister's third album, titled 'Go On', which the band said contined "some of the best stuff we ever did".
With expectations sky-high for the band, the guys planned on taking a more mature approach lyrically, standing up against the notorious materialism and celebration of greed during that decade, and the album had a sound that hinted at progressive rock. Nevertheless, 'Go On' failed to achieve commercial success, and the band members found themselves getting lost in the 80s pop/rock shuffle. Guitarist Steve Farris left around 1989, which seemed to spell the beginning of the end for the group. Still, the band began working on a fourth album, called 'Pull', with session guitarists. Dropped by their label before that work could be released, the band decided to break up for good.
That album remained unreleased for something like two decades, although one track ("Waiting In My Dreams") later appeared on a popular greatest hits collection. The release in its entirely finally surfaced in 2010 on the indie label Little Dume Recordings, a company project of Richard Page's that had also published solo efforts by him such as 'Peculiar Life'. After the band's split, Page continued to work as a composer (for example, he co-authored Madonna's 1994 Golden Globe nominated song "I'll Remember") and as a background singer for several artists. Page additionally produced a solo album, called 'Shelter Me', in 1996 that featured guest appearances by all his former band-mates.
Steve Farris has toured with Whitesnake and also recorded songs with artists such as Tori Amos and 4 Non Blondes. Pat Mastelotto has played with groups such as King Crimson and XTC. Steve George served as musical director for American singer-songwriter Kenny Loggins until 1997, also having toured with the star Jewel. Finally, John Lang became a part of the alternative rock group Djinn (not to be confused with the DJ of the same name and other artists), an obscure band that gained some interest when they produced their 1998 album 'All-Time'.
Dust
Mr. Mister Lyrics
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Some ran, some promised they'd be back
Saigon all gone, ashes to dust, a solo dance, a solo dance
[Chorus]
And when we leave, we leave our dust, we slap our clothes, we shake it off
Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam
Love is locked in these lost eyes, love is lost in these cold eyes
And in these wounds too raw to touch, lie ashes ashes, dust to dust
[Chorus]
We are free, we are not alone, listen to our sound
Take these hands of flesh and bone, reaching out for love
Discards settle where they must, never knowing who to trust
And in these dreams that lie in rust, ashes ashes, dust to dust
[Chorus]
We are free, we are free
The song "Dust" by Mr. Mister appears to be referring to the aftermath of the war in Vietnam and the impact it had on those affected by it. The first verse describes the destruction left behind, with doors slamming and dust falling through the cracks. Some people fled and promised to return, but others may never have the chance. The line "Saigon all gone, ashes to dust" further emphasizes the devastation, and the phrase "a solo dance" may suggest a sense of isolation or loneliness.
The chorus repeats the idea that when people leave, they leave their dust behind, but also emphasizes a sense of freedom. This freedom is perhaps contrasted with the upheaval and turmoil of the war. The names of Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam suggest that the song is not just about Vietnam specifically, but about the wider impact of the conflict in the region.
The second verse takes a more personal perspective, with the description of "tiny hands" reaching out to absent fathers. Love is described as being "locked" or "lost" in people's eyes, and the wounds are too raw to touch. The repetition of "ashes ashes, dust to dust" serves as a reminder of the destruction and devastation that remains even after people have left.
Overall, "Dust" seems to be a powerful commentary on the cost of war, and the lasting impact it can have on people and communities.
Line by Line Meaning
The door slams, dust falls down between the cracks
As the door slams shut, dust falls through the small gaps between the door and the floor, signifying an ending that leads to new beginnings.
Some ran, some promised they'd be back
When faced with the prospect of change, some people run from it while others cling onto the hope of returning someday.
Saigon all gone, ashes to dust, a solo dance, a solo dance
The destruction of Saigon leaves behind nothing but ashes and dust, as a single person tries to navigate the aftermath alone.
And when we leave, we leave our dust, we slap our clothes, we shake it off
As we move forward, we leave behind our past in the form of dust, which we try to rid ourselves of by shaking it off.
Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam
Referring to the countries affected by the Vietnam War, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam.
Out of the dust reach tiny hands to touch their fathers in other lands
Small children try to grasp onto their fathers' hands, even from a faraway land separated by dust, showing the yearning for a connection and love from their absent fathers.
Love is locked in these lost eyes, love is lost in these cold eyes
Love is hidden behind lost and cold eyes, showing the aftermath of trauma and war, which has left people broken and empty.
And in these wounds too raw to touch, lie ashes ashes, dust to dust
The wounds are still so fresh and painful that they cannot be touched, and in them lies the remnants of the past in the form of ashes and dust.
We are free, we are not alone, listen to our sound
Although the pain and suffering of the past still linger, there is a sense of freedom and hope for the future, represented by the sound of the people's voices.
Take these hands of flesh and bone, reaching out for love
The hands may be made of flesh and bone, but they are extended outward, seeking out and desperately holding on to love in the midst of destruction.
Discards settle where they must, never knowing who to trust
After the wars and destruction, people must make do with what they have, not knowing who they can trust and who they cannot.
And in these dreams that lie in rust, ashes ashes, dust to dust
Even dreams remain unfulfilled and rusty, as the past continues to haunt and weigh down on the people, leading to the eventual destruction and decay represented by the ashes and dust.
We are free, we are free
The final repetition of this line reinforces the sense of newly found freedom and hope, as the people continue to rise from the ashes of their past.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: VAN HUNT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind