MxPx started as three 15-year-old kids calling themselves Magnified Plaid pounding out music inspired by and similar to The Descendents and other Southern California punk rock bands. They didn’t really love their band name, however, which was a tribute to the original guitarist’s penchant for wearing one particularly loud plaid shirt. Consequently, the name was abbreviated to M.P., but in Yuri’s handwriting, periods become “X“‘s and since he made up the show posters for the band, the four-letter moniker stuck.
Andy Husted, the former guitarist, left the band in 1995 to continue college.
Andy was replaced by Tom to solidify the line-up that would take the band into their post-teen years. Maybe Tom’s background as a drummer made up for his relative inexperience playing guitar (he had only played for a year at the time). He and Yuri lock into backbreakingly fast rhythms that rank with vintage Minor Threat for speed and percussive attack. Mike then adds to the mix his signature sing-along melodies that call to mind SoCal punk bands from the early ’80s.
Bremerton had been a town most famous for its naval shipyards until MxPx caught the attention of Tooth & Nail Records when they played a “showcase” for the T&N label in 1993 in Herrera’s parents’ garage. Mike Herrera had practiced so much before the first show, he lost his voice.
MxPx released three albums with Tooth & Nail Records: Pokinatcha in 1994, Teenage Politics in 1995, and Life in General in 1996. After a falling out with Tooth & Nail, MxPx left the label and signed with A&M Records.
In July 2010 drummer Yuri Ruley announced he would be retiring from the band to focus on his family. Ruley played his last show with the band in Las Vegas, Nevada on July 18, 2010. In a recent video message from Mike, he stated that Tom and Yuri have both finished touring full time, but will continue to play one-off shows with the band.
Begin To Start
MxPx Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If you won't go on, Do I want to?"
I'll pray to see I'll pray to know
Provide for me won't let it go.
Life confuses me (life confuses me) can't find my way
Out of here I think I'd rather stay. (Rather stay)
I think I'd rather stay.
When do I begin to start?
Why so sad when I look at you
'Cause I'm away. I know I feel it too.
Life confuses me (life confuses me) can't find my way
Out of here I think I'd rather stay. (Rather stay)
I think I'd rather stay.
When do I begin to start?
Begin to let you into my heart?
They say to me "Don't be hangin' on.
If you won't go on, Do I want to?"
Life confuses me (life confuses me) I can't find my way
Out of here I think I'd rather stay. (Rather stay)
I think I'd rather stay.
Life confuses me (life confuses me) I can't find my way
Out of here I think I'd rather stay. (Rather stay)
I think I'd rather stay.
The lyrics of MxPx's song "Begin To Start" express the feeling of confusion and uncertainty that comes with opening up emotionally. The decision to let someone into your heart can be scary, and the fear of rejection or disappointment can be overwhelming. The opening lines "They say to me 'Don't be hangin' on. If you won't go on, Do I want to?'" convey the hesitation the singer feels about taking the next step in the relationship. The subsequent line "I'll pray to see I'll pray to know, Provide for me won't let it go," further emphasizes the internal struggle the singer battles with; desiring to let the other person in but still not being fully confident in the decision.
The chorus repeats the question "When do I begin to start? Begin to let you into my heart?" which represents the main theme of the song. It is about the time when one stands on the crossroads, wondering if it's finally time to take that big step forward. The confusion and anxiety in decision-making are highlighted again in the lyrics "Life confuses me (life confuses me) can't find my way Out of here I think I'd rather stay. (Rather stay) I think I'd rather stay."
Overall, the lyrics of the song talk about taking the next step in a relationship but the fear of rejection and uncertainty about how it will turn out creates confusion and anxiety, which makes it difficult to take that plunge.
Line by Line Meaning
They say to me "Don't be hangin' on.
Others advise me not to hold on to something that isn't moving forward.
If you won't go on, Do I want to?"
If something or someone is not progressing, do I really want to continue investing in it?
I'll pray to see I'll pray to know
I will pray for clarity and understanding.
Provide for me won't let it go.
I won't let go of something that provides for me, whether it be financially or emotionally.
Life confuses me (life confuses me) can't find my way
Life is confusing and I feel lost.
Out of here I think I'd rather stay. (Rather stay)
Despite feeling lost, I am hesitant to make changes and would rather stay in my current situation.
When do I begin to start?
I am unsure of when to start moving forward.
Begin to let you into my heart?
I am contemplating starting a new relationship and opening myself up emotionally.
Why so sad when I look at you
I feel sadness or longing when looking at someone I care about.
'Cause I'm away. I know I feel it too.
My own distance and absence from someone I care about causes me to feel sadness.
Life confuses me (life confuses me) can't find my way
Life is still confusing and I feel lost.
They say to me "Don't be hangin' on.
Others again advise me not to hold on to something that isn't moving forward.
If you won't go on, Do I want to?"
As before, I have to question whether investing in something that isn't progressing is worth it.
Life confuses me (life confuses me) I can't find my way
Despite advice and my own questioning, I am still confused and lost in life.
Out of here I think I'd rather stay. (Rather stay)
Still, I am hesitant to make any changes and would rather stay in my current situation.
Life confuses me (life confuses me) I can't find my way
Even after questioning and advice, I remain confused and lost in life.
Out of here I think I'd rather stay. (Rather stay)
I still hesitate to make any changes and remain in my current situation.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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