When the animated band Prozzäk arrived on the scene in 1998, a Canadian musical phenomenon was born. Comprised of the cartoon duo Simon and Milo, their debut album Hotshow, full of infectious dance/pop tunes, followed Simon’s constant and largely unsuccessful search for love. It was a commercial and critical blockbuster going four times platinum, producing five chart-topping videos (including two number ones for “Sucks To Be You” and “Strange Disease”), three top twenty radio hits and five Juno award nominations.
Prozzäk was created by Jay Levine and James Bryan McCollum, two members of the critically acclaimed multi-platinum act The Philosopher Kings. Since then the pair have gone on to become successful musician/songwriter/producers working with Nelly Furtado, Jacksoul and Divine Brown, amongst others. Through their production company, Left Hook Entertainment, Jay and James helped launch the career of pop/rock diva Fefe Dobson by co-writing and producing her platinum debut album.
Jay and James’s use of the Internet was at the time a first in building a strong community of loyal fans and giving the band an arena in which to play with their alter egos. In 2000, Prozzäk released their second album Saturday People that went platinum, producing two more hits, "www.nevergetoveryou" and “Be As.” It would garner them a further Juno nod for best pop album. To celebrate - and having already done a virtual tour for Hotshow - Jay and James went on a full scale sold-out arena tour performing on seven foot heads of Simon and Milo accompanied with additional lasers, pyrotechnics and video projections to create the feeling of being in an animated world.
Here we are in 2005 with Prozzäk’s Cruel, Cruel World close at hand. The reunion of the pair began back in 2004 when Jay and James met to collaborate on a project. Once again the creative sparks flew and the shape of the third record began to materialize. While the sound is updated, weaving the worlds of alternative rock and dance, the songs still have those catchy addictive hooks that we remember - and yes, Simon is still searching for love.
In 2017 they have released a new album, "Forever 99".
Lonely American Nights
Prozzäk Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A song that's new
Money borrowed, guitar blue
True love tries, but has to fail
When distance, time and space prevail
I can still see the clothes we wore and the bar next door
And the dirty floor and the day we left home for a rock and roll tour of America
And a beat up van with a guitar in my hand so I could work it through
Lonely American nights
Can make you hungry for the arms of someone new
But put me under the lights
I'd never jeopardize the trust I had with you
And I hope you found yourself another lover with a heart that's true
Someone to say to you
Hold tight, shine bright, tonight I'll be coming right home to you
Day light, stay bright, it's alright I'll be makin' it home to you
We used to pray for the end of school, for our favorite tune, up in my bedroom
Where I would wait for you baby in the parking lot to get you in the afternoon
Do you remember the way we talked when I dropped you off 'till the sun came up
When I awoke to find you sleeping at the opposite end of the telephone
But everything has a price
Ambition ordered me to do what I must do
Another love sacrificed
Another offer to the gods of losing you
And I hope you realize my heart will always hold a place for you
When I used to say to you
Chorus
And where were you baby when the wheels on my bus broke down
And where was I darlin' when you needed me to be around
And I suppose I'll never find another lover with a heart so true
Someone to say to you
Hold tight
Tonight
Day light
It's alright
I can still see the clothes we wore and the bar next door
And dirty floor and the day we left home for a rock and roll tour of America
There was Milo and me it's true and the songs we knew and a picture of you
The lyrics to Prozzäk's song "Lonely American Nights" tell a story of a musician who is living the dream of touring America but is conflicted about leaving his true love behind. The first verse describes how the dream has become old, and although the musician has a new song, he has to borrow money and play a blue guitar. He realizes that true love cannot survive the distance, time, and space apart. However, he reminisces about the day he left home, with his friend "Milo" and a guitar in his hand, to pursue a rock and roll tour of America. He remembers the dirty floor of where they performed and the clothes they wore.
In the chorus, the musician confesses that he can feel lonely on the American nights and yearns for the arms of someone new. However, he won't jeopardize his love, as he hopes that she has found another lover with a heart that's true. He tells her to "hold tight, shine bright" as he will come home to her. He then wonders where she was when his bus broke down and where he was when she needed him around. The song ends with the musician reminiscing about the day they left on tour, with a picture of her in his mind.
Overall, the lyrics tell a bittersweet story of how chasing your dreams can come at a cost to your relationships. Despite the excitement and glamour of touring America, the musician realizes the value of true love and remains hopeful that their connection will not fail.
Line by Line Meaning
A dream that's old
Reminiscing about past dreams
A song that's new
Making new memories and experiences
Money borrowed, guitar blue
Taking risks for a dream
True love tries, but has to fail
Despite best efforts, love can't always overcome distance and time
When distance, time and space prevail
Physical separation and time can diminish the strength of love
I can still see the clothes we wore and the bar next door And the dirty floor and the day we left home for a rock and roll tour of America
Reflecting on a past adventure with a friend
There was Milo and me it's true and the songs we knew and a picture of you And a beat up van with a guitar in my hand so I could work it through
Detailing a fun road trip with a friend and a picture of a loved one
Lonely American nights Can make you hungry for the arms of someone new But put me under the lights I'd never jeopardize the trust I had with you And I hope you found yourself another lover with a heart that's true Someone to say to you
Feeling lonely during a tour, but staying loyal to loved ones at home
Hold tight, shine bright, tonight I'll be coming right home to you Day light, stay bright, it's alright I'll be makin' it home to you
Reassuring loved ones that everything will be okay despite distance
We used to pray for the end of school, for our favorite tune, up in my bedroom Where I would wait for you baby in the parking lot to get you in the afternoon Do you remember the way we talked when I dropped you off 'till the sun came up When I awoke to find you sleeping at the opposite end of the telephone
Sharing memories of a past relationship filled with love and longing
But everything has a price Ambition ordered me to do what I must do Another love sacrificed Another offer to the gods of losing you And I hope you realize my heart will always hold a place for you When I used to say to you
Acknowledging that pursuing a dream has its costs, including sacrificing a relationship
And where were you baby when the wheels on my bus broke down And where was I darlin' when you needed me to be around And I suppose I'll never find another lover with a heart so true Someone to say to you
Expressing regret for not always being there for loved ones while on tour
Hold tight Tonight Day light It's alright
Reaffirming love and commitment despite challenges
Contributed by Mackenzie E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Echo O'Dell
I JUST DISCOVERED THIS BAND A FEW HOURS AGO AND HAVE BEEN NON STOP LISTENING OMG
Hillary Honde
Welcome aboard!!! Haha you lucky you didn’t have to wait 10 years like me 😂
Laszlo Vajda
Really? That's rare. But good for you I hope the songs you bring you as much joy as they brought me!
Anthony Napier
Yeah they nearly got us all
JESSIE
This is one of my favourite songs by Prozzak!
A Gaming Potato
im 31 years old and have been listening to prozzak since i was a child, they've been with me longer than any single friend ive ever had, and have been a defining feature in my life. the nostalgia i feel when listening to them brings me back to my childhood.
Aidan White
This is my favorite song by Prozzäk, because I am their Lonely American Fan.
Weekend Garager
Prozz you were one of the original cds I bought in 03 and now I’m reminiscing. Thank you.
Hillary Honde
OH MY GOD OH MY GOD OH MY GOD IM CRYING IM CRYING!! I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR YOU GUYS TO COME BACK SINCE I WAS LITERALLY 14 YEARS OLD IM 23 NOW OH MY GOD
vcrbetamax
I've been waiting since I was 14 or so as well. I'm 30 now. They used to do the music video for that Frankie Muniz movie that came out in 2004 or so.