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.
Time Will Tell
MxPx Lyrics
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My strength is spent but I can't turn back
Nothing's gonna change the way I feel
Only time will tell
Only time will heal
Failure! Confusion! Anger! Revolution!
It's hard to look ahead
It's weird to think
That someday I'll be dead
Anger and confusion I can understand
But failure, I just can't accept
Failure! Confusion! Anger! Revolution!
The lyrics of MxPx's song Time Will Tell are about the internal struggle that the need to move forward and grow presents, despite the fear of failure and uncertainty of where the future may lead. The opening lines, "I know I'm on the edge of falling through the cracks, My strength is spent but I can't turn back" convey desperation and despair. The singer is exhausted and worn down, but they are determined not to give up. The lyrics also express that only time will be able to heal the wounds but at the same time, it will be the only one telling what is yet to come.
The chorus of "Only time will tell, Only time will heal" repeats this idea, emphasizing that the unknown is scary, but time is the only constant in life, and it is the only way to move forward. The verses have confrontational themes like "Failure! Confusion! Anger! Revolution!" which may take place if the singer doesn't stay consistent in his/her efforts to progress. In the bridge, the lyrics, "It's not hard to look back; It's hard to look ahead; It's weird to think that someday I'll be dead," express that the past is easy to understand because it's already happened, but the future is uncertain, and it is scary because one doesn't know what's going to happen. The last line further amplifies the idea of the unknown being scary, leading to a deep sense of nihilism, but at the same time, there is a resolution to pursue progress despite the fear of death.
Line by Line Meaning
I know I'm on the edge of falling through the cracks
I am aware that I am close to losing control and experiencing failure
My strength is spent but I can't turn back
I am exhausted, but I know I can't give up yet
Nothing's gonna change the way I feel
No outside factor can alter the emotions I am currently experiencing
Only time will tell
Only the passing of time will reveal the outcome of my situation
Only time will heal
Only with time and patience will my wounds and pain begin to fade
It's not hard to look back
It's easy to dwell on past mistakes and regrets
It's hard to look ahead
It's challenging to focus on the future and not be overwhelmed by uncertainty
It's weird to think that someday I'll be dead
The concept of mortality is strange and unsettling
Anger and confusion I can understand
It's expected to feel frustrated and lost in times of difficulty
But failure, I just can't accept
Despite the challenges and setbacks, I refuse to give in to the idea of failure
Failure! Confusion! Anger! Revolution!
These emotions are powerful, driving forces that can lead to transforming change if channeled correctly
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: MICHAEL ARTHUR HERRERA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind