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.
Lifetime Enlightenment
MxPx Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can't hide from God can't fake it
He knows your heart he knows mine
You've only got a lifetime
Have you no integrity?
Your wasted mind, your apathy
Same old high school mystery
You've already made up your mind
You don't care you don't want to find
The truth will hit you like cement
Too bad too sad it's too late for your enlightenment
The song Lifetime Enlightenment by MxPx is a call to action for people who have lost their way in life. The song is about the importance of self-reflection and seeking truth in a world where people are often more concerned with their own desires than with the greater good. The lyrics "You want something you take it, can't hide from God can't fake it" speak to the idea that actions have consequences, even if they are not immediately apparent. The chorus of the song urges listeners to take responsibility for their lives and to start looking for answers. It is a reminder that we only have a limited amount of time to make a difference in the world and that it is up to each of us to use that time wisely.
The rest of the song emphasizes the need to seek truth and be honest with oneself. The lines "Have you no integrity? Your wasted mind, your apathy" criticize those who are willing to compromise their values for short-term gain. The reference to "high school mystery" suggests that these people have not matured past their adolescent years and are still stuck in a mindset of selfishness and self-deception. The final lines "Too bad too sad it's too late for your enlightenment" are a warning that the consequences of our actions may come too late for us to rectify. The song is a call to action for listeners to start living with integrity and seeking the truth before it's too late.
Line by Line Meaning
You want something you take it
If you desire something, you just grab it
Can't hide from God can't fake it
It's impossible to deceive God, so don't pretend
He knows your heart he knows mine
God is aware of your and my innermost thoughts
You've only got a lifetime
Your time on earth is limited, so make the most of it
Have you no integrity?
Do you possess no character or ethics?
Your wasted mind, your apathy
Your irresponsible thoughts and lack of interest
Same old high school mystery
Don't keep clinging to the past; it's time to grow up
You're too dumb & blind to see
You're ignorant and unable to perceive the truth
You've already made up your mind
You've formed an opinion and refuse to change it
You don't care you don't want to find
You lack concern and have no desire to search for answers
The truth will hit you like cement
When you finally face reality, it will be a painful experience
Too bad too sad it's too late for your enlightenment
Unfortunately, you are beyond the point of learning and growth
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Michael Herrera
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind