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'.
Into My Own Hands
Mr. Mister Lyrics
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I was standing in the winter rain
Footsteps close behind me
Somebody called out my name
Oh
No magic mirrors can erase
These lines of living on my face
Oh, oh
Take this life
Into my own hands
Make this world
Into my own land
Take this life
I'll take my stand
Take this world
Into my own hands
Take this life
Into my own hands
I'll take my stand
I was walking in the summer sun
Thinking that my life had just begun
How wrong could I be
Oh, oh
Take this life
Into my own hands
Make this world
Into my own land
Take this life
I'll take my stand
Take this world
In my own hands
Take this life
Into my own hands
Take this world
I'll take my stand
Take this life
Into my own hands
Take this world
I'll take my stand
Take this life
Into my own hands
Make this world
Into my own land
Take this life
I'll take my stand
Take this world
In my own hands
Take this life
Into my own hands
Take this world
Into my own hands
Take this life
I'll take my stand
Take this world
Into my own hands
Into my own hands
Into my own land
I'll take my stand
Into my own hands
Whoa
The lyrics to Mr. Mister's "Into My Own Hands" present a message of empowerment and taking control of one's own life. The song begins with a dream which suggests a feeling of desperation in the singer. He stands in winter rain with footsteps close behind him, evoking a sense of anxiety and uncertainty. Someone calls out his name, implying an urgent need to act.
The following stanza speaks of the lessons learned throughout life and the lines etched on the singer's face that bear evidence of his experience. It's an acknowledgment of the past and its impact on who he is today. However, he recognizes that he can still take control of his life and shape his own destiny. The chorus is a call to action, a pledge to take his life and the world around him into his own hands.
The second verse depicts a contrast to the first, with a feeling of optimism and hope. The singer walks in the summer sun, assuming that his life has just begun. However, he recognizes that he was previously mistaken, highlighting the importance of self-reflection and growth.
Overall, "Into My Own Hands" presents a message of self-determination and personal responsibility. It encourages listeners to take charge of their lives, to learn from their experiences, and to shape their own future.
Line by Line Meaning
Last night I had a desperate dream
I dreamt last night, feeling very anxious and desperate
I was standing in the winter rain
I was standing outside in the cold rain that was falling during the winter season
Footsteps close behind me
I noticed someone walking behind me, potentially following me
Somebody called out my name
I heard a voice calling my name, but I couldn't identify who it was
No magic mirrors can erase
There's no way to remove or hide the signs of aging on my face
These lines of living on my face
The wrinkles and other marks that have developed on my face as a result of living my life
Lessons learned and lost
I have gained valuable knowledge throughout my life, but also forgotten some of it
Take this life into my own hands
I want to be in control of my own life
Make this world into my own land
I aspire to shape and improve the world around me to my liking
I'll take my stand
I am willing to make a firm stance and defend what I believe in
I was walking in the summer sun
I was walking outside on a sunny day, feeling optimistic about my future
Thinking that my life had just begun
Believing that there's plenty of time to make the most of my life and achieve my goals
How wrong could I be
Unfortunately, my expectations did not align with reality, and things didn't go as planned
Into my own hands
I am taking control and responsibility over my own actions
Into my own land
I want to shape and create the world around me to fit my desires
Whoa
An exclamation expressing an intense emotion or reaction
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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