Born in New York City, Rothberg grew up in Scarsdale N.Y., playing piano from the age of 3 and writing songs by the age of 15, joining a high school Rod Stewart covers band. She later travelled through Europe and America, busking to support herself (an activity which would later inform the lyrics to the title song of her debut album, "Between the 1 and the 9"). She majored in illustration at Boston University and Parsons School of Design (both in New York and Paris), devoting her time to writing songs and painting, and joining a New York band called Thrust which she played with through 1993 and 1994. Legend has it that while busking at the 14th Street Station in New York she was spotted by a passing EMI America executive, signing to the label in February 1995. In fact Rothberg had hooked up with a manager and shopped her demo to a number of labels.
A multi-instrumentalist, Rothberg played all the bass and guitar parts on her debut album, "Between the 1 and the 9," which was released on April 2, 1996. The album title is a reference to the subway platform where she used to busk.
The album went on to sell over 250,000 copies in the US and another 200,000 in Europe and Japan. The first single, "Inside", reached number 32 on the Billboard charts. With her band Rothberg toured extensively supporting Chris Isaak, The Wallflowers, Garbage, Midnight Oil and Paul Westerberg; making appearances on high profile TV shows such as The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Night With David Letterman and The Oprah Winfrey Show. February 1997 saw a foray into Europe opening for The Black Crowes. She was also tapped to play at a few Lilith Fair dates.
All looked rosy for Patti, until EMI Records USA was closed and she found herself without a record deal.
Continuing to play shows Rothberg hooked up with producer Freddie Katz in 2001, recording her sophomore album "Candelabra Cadabra" with him at Long Island's Avalon studios. The album was finally released on CD by indie label Cropduster in 2002.
Patti recently completed her third album, "Double Standards", which was released May 13, 2008. She continues to play shows in New York with her band (Freddie Katz - guitars, backing vox; David Leatherwood - bass, backing vox; JP Patterson - drums; Erin Hill - keyboards, guitar, percussion, backing vox), and also tours occasionally up and down the East Coast.
While working on "Double Standards", Patti also found the time to write and record a three song holiday EP "Snow is My Downfall" (2002) on the indie label CD Baby, and seven songs for the movie, "Anywhere," as yet unreleased. The soundtrack album was released on the indie label Engine Company Records March 27, 2007. Two of Patti's songs have already appeared in movies: "Inside" in "The Misadventures of Margaret" (1998), and a version of "Kung Fu Fighting" in "Beverly Hills Ninja" (1997).
Inside
Patti Rothberg Lyrics
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I'm just sittin' around, wastin' time away
And even if I wanted to
I can go outside, there ain't nothing to do
Aaaaaoooowwww
Think I'll write a letter home
Tellin' everybody that I'm happy alone
And maybe if I play the role
I can roll myself on down the line
Tellin' everybody that I'm just fine
My troubled mind I can't confide
Though we are all the same
Inside, inside
Inside, inside
I've been thinkin' about my friends
Sayin' they'll be with me till the bitter end
I don't know how we can get that far
When I don't even know who the hell they are
I can roll myself on down the line
Tellin' everybody that I'm just fine
My troubled mind I can't confide
Though we are all the same
Inside, inside
Inside, inside
I can roll myself on down the line
Tellin' everybody that I'm just fine
My troubled mind I can't confide
Though we are all the same
Inside, inside
Inside, inside
The song "Inside" by Patti Rothberg captures the feeling of isolation and solitude. The opening lines, "I haven't done a thing today, I'm just sittin' around, wastin' time away" express the sense of aimlessness and lack of motivation. The lyrics go on to convey the idea of self-imposed isolation, with the line "And even if I wanted to, I can go outside, there ain't nothing to do". The singer is content staying inside and even considers "rolling myself into a big black hole", a metaphor for spiraling into depression.
The chorus, "Inside, inside," reinforces the theme of being trapped within oneself. The line "My troubled mind I can't confide" suggests that the singer is dealing with internal struggles and cannot find solace in external sources, including friends. In the final verse, the singer questions the sincerity of their friends and wonders how they can claim to be loyal when they don't truly know one another. This further emphasizes the idea of self-isolation and the struggle to form meaningful connections.
Overall, "Inside" is a poignant reflection on the human condition and the struggle to find connection in a world that can often feel isolating.
Line by Line Meaning
I haven't done a thing today
I have been unproductive and idle all day
I'm just sittin' around, wastin' time away
I am merely sitting and passing time without achieving anything meaningful
And even if I wanted to
Even if I wished
I can go outside, there ain't nothing to do
I can venture outdoors, but there is no activity to engage in
Aaaaaoooowwww
A vocal expression of frustration or boredom
Think I'll write a letter home
I am contemplating composing a letter to my family
Tellin' everybody that I'm happy alone
Informing my loved ones that I am content being by myself
And maybe if I play the role
Perhaps if I pretend or act in a particular manner
I can roll myself into a big black hole
I can dig myself into a deep hole of negative emotions
I can roll myself on down the line
I can move forward and continue pretending
Tellin' everybody that I'm just fine
Informing others that everything is alright, despite not being true
My troubled mind I can't confide
I cannot divulge my problems to others
Though we are all the same
Despite our distinctiveness, we all share similar struggles
Inside, inside
Despite my facade of happiness and contentment, I am suffering inside
I've been thinkin' about my friends
I have been pondering about my companions
Sayin' they'll be with me till the bitter end
Believing that my friends will be with me until the very end
I don't know how we can get that far
I do not understand how we can maintain a long-lasting friendship
When I don't even know who the hell they are
When I don't even fully comprehend their identity
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PATRICIA ROTHBERG, PATTI ROTHBERG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind