Undaunted, he formed the quirkily-named Spock’s Beard with his brother, Alan. They recorded The Light with what money they could scrape together. Against all odds, it was a breakout success, sending shockwaves through the small genre’s community.
Over the next 10 years, Spock’s Beard released 10 critically acclaimed CDs and 2 DVDs, ascending to the top of the prog world. Neal also released 6 CDs and 3 DVDs with Transatlantic, the heralded prog supergroup comprised of the genre’s best musicians.
The proverbial wayward son, Neal had finally found the success he sought. On the outside he seemed to have it all. On the inside, however, something was missing.
Morse came to realize that for him, embracing the Christian faith was the fulfillment of his spiritual quest. His walk was at once gradual and sudden—and as with so many, completely unexpected. As he continued, his path increasingly revealed more of what his heart had sought all along. Yet he also began to find his career growing at odds with his faith. The rising spiritual tension and increasing commercial success finally came to a head with the release of Snow (2002), the group’s magnum opus...and swan song with Morse.
The extraordinary 2-CD rock opera, composed by Morse, was widely acclaimed as the group’s finest. But it was the end of the era. Neal felt God calling him out of his former musical life and into the unknown. He made the agonizing decision to leave both Spock’s Beard and Transatlantic. Despite having finally achieved the success he had long sought, Morse had to begin all over again; musically, emotionally and spiritually.
Neal then embarked upon the most ambitious musical project of his career. Entitled Testimony (2003), it chronicles his spiritual and musical journey in words and music. The 2 CD set spans over two hours as one continuous piece of music. Genre-wise, it ranges from a gospel choir to hard rock; from symphony orchestra to contemporary pop. Testimony was also Neal’s first of many albums with drummer Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater). A deftly woven musical tapestry, Testimony takes the listener on a fascinating journey as unique as the man behind it.
The ensuing world tour was captured on one unforgettable night for the 2-DVD set, Testimony Live (2004). Morse was recognized as a remarkably passionate and engaging performer by England’s Classic Rock Magazine, who included him in their “100 Greatest Frontmen of Rock” listing. The tour was awarded “Best Rock Tour” from the popular Dutch website, DPRP, besting nominees Peter Gabriel, Radiohead, RUSH and others.
Morse’s next studio album was a conceptual, progressive rock album entitled One. Mike Portnoy returned to perform on drums (in what is regarded as perhaps his finest performance), with up-and-coming bassist Randy George. They were joined by legendary guitarist Phil Keaggy. The result was a band-focused sound, harkening back to Neal’s Transatlantic work. Continuing in the tradition of Snow and Testimony, One proved epic in scope and sublime in nature.
For Morse’s third progressive rock album, he took a new approach, artistically. On Question (2005), Morse weaves a compelling storyline that owes as much to C.S. Lewis as Indiana Jones. His journey is a timeless quest—to find the biblical dwelling place of God. Joining Neal are more of prog’s brightest stars, including Mike Portnoy and Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater), Roine Stolt (Flower Kings, Transatlantic) and Steve Hackett (Genesis).
Bringing Question to the stage required an outstanding tour band. Fusing technical wizardry with musical nuance, a young band of unknowns proved themselves in the fire of Question’s musical rollercoaster. The audience responded with energy and passion, with the experience captured on CD. Unrestrained, raw, and magnificent, the resulting 2 CD set Question: Live (2007) was to be further unveiled on the DVD, Sola Sciptura & Beyond.
Neal's next prog epic was his most daring, stirring passions and controversy. On Sola Scriptura (2007), Morse tells a compelling and sometimes macabre tale of the darkness that inevitably falls when humankind tries to elevate itself to God. Focusing on the Church in the Middle Ages, Morse is unflinching in his description of its abuses. Neal frames the issue as just one example of faith separated from its true foundations. The album closes not with an end but a beginning—for us to consider our world, and feel called to illuminate it.
Question and Sola Scriptura were received as Neal’s best to date, and the ensuing tours were captured on film. The ensuing release, Sola Scriptura & Beyond (2008) was an extraordinary live concert 2-DVD set that brought both albums to life. Also included were generous selections from One and Testimony, a Transatlantic section, five songs from Spock’s Beard, and an hour of behind-the-scenes tour footage.
Less than three months later, Neal completed Lifeline (2008), his next studio album. Unlike his other releases, Lifeline wasn't a concept album. Free from this constraint, Neal stretched out in all directions. He revisited early Spock’s Beard, Snow, Transatlantic, his solo releases, and launched into new territory. Joining him once again were Mike Portnoy and Randy George. It was the album that fans of Neal and progressive rock the world over had waited for. Press coverage of the album reached from some of Europe's biggest mainstream music publications, to Rolling Stone in Mexico.
Twelve years after The Light, Neal continues to blaze new creative trails. In 2009, he shines brighter than ever in the next remarkable chapter in Neal's musical journey.
Freak
Neal Morse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm not schizophrenic I just haven't had my medicine today
People they act like they've never seen a king before
But when I just am that I am they tell me "there's the door"
Cause I am a freak
A riddle
The kind you love too little
You can't take home to mother
I am the angst
Provider
The ultimate outsider
And I'm not welcome where the work is
Not in your homes or in your churches...
My tongue is the pen and I feel inspired unusually today
My bed at the bridge kept me warm all night til the sky turned cold and gray
At noon on the corner I shout out words they can't ignore
But nobody sees they're too busy making money, kids and war
But I am a freak
A riddle
The kind you trust too little I am the one you call "the other"
You can't take home to mother
I am the angst
Provider
The ultimate outsider
And I'm not welcome where the work is
Not in your homes or in your churches...
Cry me a river
With an ocean all around
So many strangers live right among you now
There right here right now
But I am a freak
A riddle
I may have just a little
But I might be a savior or a brother
A someone's long lost mother
Maybe I'm not like the scriptures
And I don't fit your pictures
But maybe an angel's come between us
Who knows?
I might be Jesus...
I am a freak
A riddle
The kind you love too little
I am the one you call "the other"
You can't take home to mother
I am the angst
Provider
The ultimate outsider
But maybe an angel's come between us
Who knows?
I might be Jesus...
The lyrics of "Freak" by Neal Morse delve into the feeling of being an outsider and not belonging in society. He equates himself to a freak or a riddle, someone who is misunderstood and not accepted by others. He uses the metaphor of the tongue being the pen of a ready writer, showing that he has so much to say and wants to express himself through his words. However, he is often rejected or dismissed by others when he tries to be himself. The line "I'm not schizophrenic, I just haven't had my medicine today" could refer to the idea that society often wants individuals to conform and medicates those who don't fit into these norms.
Morse further emphasizes his outsider status with the line "I am the angst provider, the ultimate outsider." He sees himself as someone who is not welcome in conventional places like work, homes, or churches. He expresses his frustration that people are too busy with their own lives to notice him, despite his best efforts to speak out.
The chorus of "Freak" presents an interesting contradiction. Morse simultaneously claims to be someone who is not understood and rejected, but also hints that he could be a savior, brother, long-lost mother, or even Jesus himself. This highlights the idea that outsiders, including those who are rejected by society, still have value and can offer something unique and meaningful to the world.
Line by Line Meaning
My tongue is the pen of a ready writer; I've got so much to say
I am inspired and have a lot to express, my words are like a writer's pen
I'm not schizophrenic I just haven't had my medicine today
I don't have a mental disorder, I just haven't taken my medication today
People they act like they've never seen a king before
People act surprised or unimpressed when I act powerful
But when I just am that I am they tell me "there's the door"
When I just act like myself, people reject me and tell me to leave
Cause I am a freak
A riddle
The kind you love too little
I am the one you call "the other"
You can't take home to mother
I am the angst
Provider
The ultimate outsider
And I'm not welcome where the work is
Not in your homes or in your churches...
I am strange and misunderstood, people don't accept me and I don't fit in with society
My tongue is the pen and I feel inspired unusually today
My bed at the bridge kept me warm all night til the sky turned cold and gray
I am inspired to write and create, despite having spent the night sleeping outside
At noon on the corner I shout out words they can't ignore
But nobody sees they're too busy making money, kids and war
I try to get people's attention with my words, but they are too preoccupied with materialism, family, and conflict
Cry me a river
With an ocean all around
So many strangers live right among you now
There right here right now
There are so many people around, but people are disconnected and don't care about each other's needs
I may have just a little
But I might be a savior or a brother
A someone's long lost mother
Despite being strange, I could still be a source of help and comfort to others
Maybe I'm not like the scriptures
And I don't fit your pictures
But maybe an angel's come between us
Who knows?
I might be Jesus...
Even though I am different from what people expect, I could still be a holy or divine being
Contributed by Lillian W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
1parus316
Played this song during our "intermission" time at my church. Amazing reaction. Lots of conversation and soul-searching; so much so that our minister is going to give a sermon about this! Thanks for giving Christians so much to think about, Neal!
Alejandro Ariel Biondi
Una Eleanor Rigby actual. Realmente Hermosa. Gracias Neal
David James
Brilliant song from a genius
Mike Shelton
great thoughtful piece.
Patrick Bateman
Why do you think you have his name right?
1parus316
Well, Dave, maybe there is something. Can I challenge you to at least investigate this matter? My guess is that you can't be any worse off, right? Regardless, best of luck to you my friend.
megadeoxys
Pfft. What persecution? Until people round you up in cages, I'n going to call that a healthy debate. A one you are losing, by the way. Decent music though. Kinda makes me cringe at the Christianity, but whatevs.
David James
Silly person. Grow up and enjoy your life