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'.
Healing Waters
Mr. Mister Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Shine down, shine down on our tiny enterprise
Where do we go when all our time's been wasted
Just keeping score on who is right or wrong - there's no reason
[Chorus]
Follow the road, the road that leads us where the healing waters flow
Where do we go when the world forsakes us, where the healing waters flow
Silent god moving in my heart, telling me not much I understand
But I - but I need to know, so I fight on
Here every beast must feed upon the other, oh
When will the lion lie down with the lamb - there's no reason
[Chorus]
There is a river running deep into my soul
Rushing like a vision over me, it flows
Where do we go when all our time's been wasted
Just keeping score on who is right or wrong - there's no reason
[Repeat Chorus]
The lyrics of "Healing Waters" by Mr. Mister are evocative and inspiring. The opening lines mention the "yellow moon" and the "face of a prophet," along with "shooting star" and "light of the heavens." These images evoke a sense of mystery and wonder, suggesting that there is something beyond our everyday, mundane existence.
The chorus speaks of following a road that leads to "healing waters." This metaphorical language suggests that there is a place of renewal and revitalization, a place where we can find solace and strength. The verses are more introspective, speaking of the internal struggles we all face. The lines "Where do we go when all our time's been wasted / Just keeping score on who is right or wrong" speak to the futility of petty arguments and power struggles. Instead, the singer is calling for a sense of unity and shared purpose.
The final lines of the chorus return to the idea of finding a place where we can be nourished and restored. This song is a reminder that the world can be a harsh and unforgiving place, but there are still places of beauty and hope that we can seek out. It suggests that we should keep moving forward, even when we don't understand everything that's happening around us.
Line by Line Meaning
Yellow moon, face of a prophet, shooting star, light of the heavens
The moon, resembling a prophet's face, and the shooting star, like the light of heavens, emit a bright light.
Shine down, shine down on our tiny enterprise
The light radiated by celestial objects illuminates a small business venture.
Where do we go when all our time's been wasted
Just keeping score on who is right or wrong - there's no reason
When people waste their time in constant bickering with the sole aim of proving themselves right, they lose sight of the true purpose.
[Chorus]
Follow the road, the road that leads us where the healing waters flow
Where do we go when the world forsakes us, where the healing waters flow
Despite the abandonment by the world, choosing the path leading to the healing waters proves to be a beneficial journey.
Silent god moving in my heart, telling me not much I understand
But I - but I need to know, so I fight on
Here every beast must feed upon the other, oh
When will the lion lie down with the lamb - there's no reason
The inaudible divinity within the heart nudges everyone to keep moving forward, but the savage nature of animals, where the stronger feed on the weaker, needs to end.
[Chorus]
Where do we go when all our time's been wasted
Just keeping score on who is right or wrong - there's no reason
When people waste their time in constant bickering with the sole aim of proving themselves right, they lose sight of the true purpose of journeying to the healing waters.
There is a river running deep into my soul
Rushing like a vision over me, it flows
Where do we go when all our time's been wasted
Just keeping score on who is right or wrong - there's no reason
The urge for deep healing seems to run continuously in the singer's soul, but petty arguments keep them from moving towards it.
[Repeat Chorus]
The road leading to the healing waters is the one people should follow during the times they feel forsaken by the world.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PAGE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@RonSneary-cr4ps
The year is 2023, I'm 74 living in a world of chaos, fear, and hate. The music & messages from Mr. Mister are desperately needed. I am inspired by these guys to help do the work of Jesus... John 14: 12-14. Amen
@brendakrieger7000
For my son that needs healing and a homecoming💜
@JW-th4nn
These guys just didn't/don't get the recognition they deserved/deserve. Brilliant band!
@randysmith6702
I couldn’t agree with you more!!! Amazing musicians and Richard Page is one of the purest singers I’ve ever heard!!!
@sqidlididli
Quel groupe inventif!!❤
@alexvassallo4191
Real music, of real substance. I long for the days
@PetalPusher-ci4jx
This is one heck of a song! The singing, the instruments. Great feelings.
@CherylzaLoufan
Any time I'm having a rough day, I watch this....sometimes multiple times. The music, the words, and the expression of joy on Richard Page's face as he sings it rejuvenate me. I LOVE THIS!!
@TRACELHENTZ
Me too!
@anndavis2920
Me three. I love Richard Page voice & when hes singing & playing bass it's such healing for me during these days of quarantine 2020