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'.
Something Real
Mr. Mister Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everyone's taking all they can steal
Brother to sister, look at eachother face to face
There's something missing here in this human race - hey
Chorus:
Inside me (all we want is something real)
Is a part of you (we can make this last forever)
Is a part of me (we will always be together)
Yeah
Person to person, place to place
We run from eachother, lost in the race
Brother to sister, hold on to eachother with all we got
Our time is coming, if you're ready or not, if you're ready or not, oh
(chorus)
Gimme something real (all we want is something real)
Gimme something real (we can make this last forever)
Inside you (make a world where we can feel)
Is a part of me (we will always be together) - yeah, yeah
(Solo)
Brother to sister, hold on to eachother with all we got
Our time is coming, oh, if you're ready or not, if you're ready or not, oh
(chorus)
Gimme something real (all we want is something real)
Something real (we can make this last forever)
Inside you (make a world where we can feel) make a world where we can feel
(We will always be together) we will always be together
(All we want is something real) something real
(We can make this last forever)
Inside you (make a world where we can feel)
Is a part of me (we will always be together)... (to fade)
Mr. Mister's song Something Real is an emotional call for honest and genuine human connections in a world where people are lost in a never-ending race for material possessions. The song begins with a universal truth that everyone is searching for something real and authentic that can give meaning to their lives. The second line highlights the irony of this pursuit as people are taking everything they can steal in the process, suggesting that our materialistic mindset has made us selfish and indifferent to others' needs. The third line tries to bring about a change by urging people to connect with each other and look into each other's eyes and find the missing link in this human race.
In the chorus, the singer extends an offer of unity and togetherness as they both have a part of each other within them. They emphasize the need to create something lasting and meaningful in a world that is transient and fleeting. The second verse continues this theme of human disconnection as people run from each other and get lost in the race for success. The singers reiterate that the true way to win is by holding on to each other as brothers and sisters and being ready for the inevitable time when the world would need their unity.
To summarize, Mr. Mister's song Something Real is an emotionally charged song that calls for genuine and authentic human connections in a world that is becoming increasingly self-centered and materialistic. The lyrics urge people to look beyond their materialistic and selfish mindset and to hold on to each other to create something meaningful.
Line by Line Meaning
Everyone's looking for something real
Everyone wants authenticity and truth in their lives.
Everyone's taking all they can steal
People are selfish and trying to take as much as they can from others.
Brother to sister, look at eachother face to face
Siblings need to have honest and open communication with each other.
There's something missing here in this human race - hey
The world is lacking something important and necessary for human connection and fulfillment.
Inside me (all we want is something real)
The desire for authenticity is deep within every person.
Is a part of you (we can make this last forever)
Connection and commitment to others can create long-lasting relationships.
And I know inside you (make a world where we can feel)
Others also have the desire for a world where emotions can be expressed and acknowledged.
Is a part of me (we will always be together)
When we connect on an authentic level, we create a bond that will always stay with us.
Person to person, place to place
Regardless of location, we interact with each other on a personal level.
We run from eachother, lost in the race
People are too focused on winning or being ahead that they don't take time to connect with others.
Brother to sister, hold on to eachother with all we got
Family should hold onto each other tightly and support each other through anything.
Our time is coming, if you're ready or not, if you're ready or not, oh
Change is coming, whether people are prepared for it or not.
Gimme something real (all we want is something real)
The desire for authenticity and truth is still present.
Gimme something real (we can make this last forever)
Commitment and connection with others can create long-lasting relationships.
Brother to sister, hold on to eachother with all we got
Family should always support and care for each other no matter what.
Our time is coming, oh, if you're ready or not, if you're ready or not, oh
Change is approaching whether or not people are prepared for it.
Something real (we can make this last forever)
Authenticity and truth can create long-lasting relationships.
Inside you (make a world where we can feel)
Others also have desires for a world where emotions can be expressed and acknowledged.
Is a part of me (we will always be together)
When we connect on an authentic level, we create a bond that will always stay with us.
Contributed by Leo M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@user-vx7qk4vw5k
"Something Real (Inside Me / Inside You)"
Everyone's looking for something real
Everyone's taking all they can steal
Brother to sister, look at eachother face to face
There's something missing here in this human race - hey
[Chorus:]
Inside me (all we want is something real)
Is a part of you (we can make this last forever)
And I know inside you (make a world where we can feel)
Is a part of me (we will always be together)
Yeah
Person to person, place to place
We run from eachother, lost in the race
Brother to sister, hold on to eachother with all we got
Our time is coming, if you're ready or not, if you're ready or not, oh
[Chorus]
Gimme something real (all we want is something real)
Gimme something real (we can make this last forever)
Inside you (make a world where we can feel)
Is a part of me (we will always be together) - yeah, yeah
[Solo]
Brother to sister, hold on to eachother with all we got
Our time is coming, oh, if you're ready or not, if you're ready or not, oh
[Chorus]
Gimme something real (all we want is something real)
Something real (we can make this last forever)
Inside you (make a world where we can feel) make a world where we can feel
(We will always be together) we will always be together
(All we want is something real) something real
(We can make this last forever)
Inside you (make a world where we can feel)
Is a part of me (we will always be together)... [to fade]
@edgardoriveraguardiola160
Everyone's looking for something real
Everyone's taking all they can steal
Brother to sister, look at eachother face to face
There's something missing here in this human race - hey
Inside me (all we want is something real)
Is a part of you (we can make this last forever)
And I know inside you (make a world where we can feel)
Is a part of me (we will always be together)
Yeah
Person to person, place to place
We run from eachother, lost in the race
Brother to sister, hold on to eachother with all we got
Our time is coming, if you're ready or not, if you're ready or not, oh
Gimme something real (all we want is something real)
Gimme something real (we can make this last forever)
Inside you (make a world where we can feel)
Is a part of me (we will always be together) - yeah, yeah
Brother to sister, hold on to eachother with all we got
Our time is coming, oh, if you're ready or not, if you're ready or not, oh
Gimme something real (all we want is something real)
Something real (we can make this last forever)
Inside you (make a world where we can feel) make a world where we can feel
(We will always be together) we will always be together
something real
(We can make this last forever)
Inside you (make a world where we can feel)
Is a part of me (we will always be together)... (to fade)
@dazronch5450
Loved this band in the 80s and I’m still listening to them now 2023 they are quite simply brilliant .
@MissJensk1
I used to stay up till the small hours to catch their videos on VH1, it was the only place I got to see them in the UK.
@andrewwilks5155
Me to! Mr. Mister is one of my favorite 80s band. I remember this being one of the songs for the movie Youngblood from 1986.
@andrewbowton8583
Mr. Mister was one of the most talented and original bands of the 1980's. They have a unique sound and have shown that they can play a variety of different styles of music.
@BassedInVegas
Great band, great song, great guitar tones.
Been listening to Mr since they first came out in the 80’s and still listening today.
Amazing band of very talented musicians.
@progressive59
Should’ve been an even bigger hit for them. Great song!
@randomtj1791
Man, this is a banger. I cannot believe I've only recently discovered it.
@laurapoveda4231
Una exelente banda, aquí en Chile los vimos en vivo en el Festival de Viña del Mar
@DaveWollenberg
The Misters hit #29 in Billboard, 10-10-87. God bless you, brother Richard Page!
@lewispeers7545
one of the best bands of the 80s for sure and one of my favorites Mr.Mister should be more successful at its time but I think its part of the selected audience with really good taste.