The band's namesake and place of origin is the Cincinnati, Ohio neighborhood Over-the-Rhine. Karin attended school in Barnesville, Ohio and graduated from Barnesville High School in 1984. She then went to Malone College, located in Canton, Ohio, where she met Linford. Karin and Linford were married in the fall of 1996 in Cincinnati and several years ago relocated to a pre-civil war farm outside of town.
Over the Rhine is now primarily Bergquist (vocals, acoustic guitar, piano) and Detweiler (keyboards, electric bass, vocals) accompanied by complementary musicians on albums and tours. Over the years, they have toured and recorded in many variations. They have shared the stage with a number of fine musicians, including Bob Dylan, John Prine, Adrian Belew, Squeeze, Ani DiFranco, My Morning Jacket, Hem, and toured as "adjunct" members of Cowboy Junkies.
Over the Rhine's new album, _The Long Surrender_ was released nationally on 1/1/11. It recorded on California with Grammy winning producer, Joe Henry and contains a duet with Lucinda Williams on "Undamned" and two songs co-written with Joe Henry.
Like a Radio
Over the Rhine Lyrics
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Ever since I spied you
In the rooms of my mind
Now I can't deny you
Bleeding and bruised
Like a vagabond in rags
I've walked the streets to your door
I see you
You and many others
In your clean well-lighted place
Where I would find disgrace
But I do
Know I'd find contentment
Just to be your furniture
I need nothing more
In the thick of the night
Take me out of the cold
Let me sing inside
Like a radio
In the thick of the night
Before we grow too old
Let me sing inside
Like a radio
Shivering and cold
This night's condusive
To a flight into my soul
But I stand here
Though my heart grows bold
Once on the inside
I can quietly persist
And hold my tears
In the thick of the night
Take me out of the cold
Let me sing inside
Like a radio
In the thick of the night
Before we grow too old
Let me sing inside
Like a radio
Like a radio
Like a radio
And so still I wait
Though I grow much weaker
No, no, no, I will not faint
I'll stay true
Believe me when I say
I'd climb to heaven,
Crawl beneath the lowest hell
To stay near you
In the thick of the night
Take me out of the cold
Let me sing inside
Like a radio
In the thick of the night
Before we grow too old
Let me sing inside
Like a radio
Like a radio
Like a radio
Like a radio
Like a radio
The lyrics to "Like A Radio" seem to portray a person who is hopelessly in love with someone, but that love is not reciprocated. The singer of the song is constantly thinking about this person, even though they know that it is futile. They describe themselves as bleeding and bruised, like a vagabond in rags, suggesting that their unrequited love has left them feeling wounded and vulnerable. However, they are still willing to do whatever it takes to be close to this person, even if it means being relegated to the role of "furniture."
The chorus of the song speaks of wanting to "sing inside like a radio" - a metaphor which seems to suggest a desire to be seen and heard. The singer wants to be close to this person, even if it means being nothing more than a source of background noise. The final verse sees the lyrics taking a somewhat more desperate tone, with the singer claiming that they would do anything to stay near this person, even if it meant climbing to heaven or crawling beneath hell.
Overall, the lyricism of "Like A Radio" seems to be about the pain of unrequited love and the desperate desire to be seen and heard by the object of that love. The lyrics are full of vivid and evocative imagery, painting a picture of a person who is lost, shattered, and yet still clinging to hope.
Line by Line Meaning
Confused
I'm feeling lost and bewildered
Ever since I spied you
From the first time I saw you
In the rooms of my mind
In my thoughts and dreams
Now I can't deny you
I can't ignore the feelings I have for you
Bleeding and bruised
I'm damaged and vulnerable
Like a vagabond in rags
Like a homeless person, I wander aimlessly
I've walked the streets to your door
I've searched for you everywhere
To find just what's in store
To discover what the future holds for us
I see you
I notice you
You and many others
You're surrounded by people
In your clean well-lighted place
In your comfortable, well-lit surroundings
Where I would find disgrace
Where I would feel out of place and unworthy
But I do
Yet, despite feeling inadequate
Know I'd find contentment
I know I would be happy
Just to be your furniture
Just to be close to you, even if that means being passive
I need nothing more
I want nothing else but your presence
In the thick of the night
When it's dark and quiet, with few distractions
Take me out of the cold
Bring me warmth and comfort
Let me sing inside
Allow me to express myself fully
Shivering and cold
I feel physically cold and scared
This night's condusive
This is the right time and situation
To a flight into my soul
To a journey inside myself
But I stand here
But I remain rooted in place
Though my heart grows bold
Even though my emotions become stronger
Once on the inside
Once I'm allowed in to your world
I can quietly persist
I can keep going and not give up
And hold my tears
And keep myself from getting too emotional
And so still I wait
And so I continue to be patient
Though I grow much weaker
Even though my physical strength wanes
No, no, no, I will not faint
But I won't give up or lose consciousness
I'll stay true
I'll remain loyal and committed
Believe me when I say
Trust that my words are sincere
I'd climb to heaven,
I'd do anything to reach you
Crawl beneath the lowest hell
I'd go through the worst possible situations
To stay near you
Just to be close to you
Like a radio
I want to express myself through music, like a radio does
Like a radio
Repeating the same message over and over, like a radio station
Like a radio
Clearly transmitting my emotions through sound
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LINFORD DETWEILER, RIC HORDINSKI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind