The band was founded by college roommates Matt Piucci (guitar, vocals) and David Roback (lead guitar, vocals) in 1981, originally as The Sidewalks. David's brother Steven Roback (bass, vocals) joined the band shortly thereafter. David and Steven had been in a band called The Unconscious with neighbor Susanna Hoffs (who went on to lead the most famous of the Paisley Underground bands, The Bangles.) The band soon added Will Glenn (keyboards and violin) and later Eddie Kalwa (drums). They self-released their debut single, "What She's Done to Your Mind" on their Llama label in 1982.
David Roback left to form a new band, Opal, the rest of the band continuing to record as a four piece, releasing the mini-LP, Explosions in the Glass Palace in 1984. After a single, "You Are My Friend", Kalwa left, his replacement being Mark Marcum, and John Thoman (guitar, vocals) was added to the line-up. The band signed to Island Records, and a live album (Beyond The Sunset) recorded in Japan, and a third album, Crashing Dream, came out in 1985.
The band split in 1986, with Piucci going on to release the LP Gone Fishin' with Tim Lee, and later joining Crazy Horse. The band reformed in 1988 to finish off a double album they had started, but it was never released. The rest of the band formed Viva Saturn. After making the album Rainy Day featuring cover versions performed by various leading lights of the Paisley Underground, David Roback formed Opal, and later Mazzy Star.
I Look Around
Rain Parade Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I look around
I look around
And I see you
I see you
Tell me once again
That you're not proud
Cry out loud
Cry out loud
All the things you left
You left behind
I want it back
Dead or alive
Dead or alive
Living like you do
On borrowed time
Well, yesterday
Ain't worth a dime
Ain't got the time
The song "I Look Around" by the Rain Parade is a poignant reflection on the fleeting nature of life and the importance of cherishing the people and experiences we hold dear. The opening lines, "When I'm lying down, I look around, I look around, and I see you," suggest a moment of quiet contemplation, as the singer takes stock of his surroundings and the people who matter most to him. The repetition of the phrase "I see you" underscores the importance of human connection, even in moments of solitude.
The second verse takes a darker turn, as the singer implores his loved one to "cry out loud" and express their vulnerabilities. This sense of urgency is heightened in the chorus, as the singer declares that he wants "all the things you left behind" and that "yesterday ain't worth a dime." These lyrics suggest a desire to live in the present moment, unencumbered by regrets or missed opportunities.
Line by Line Meaning
When I'm lying down
In moments of stillness
I look around
I survey my surroundings
I look around
I examine my environment
And I see you
And you catch my attention
I see you
I acknowledge your presence
Tell me once again
Confirm for me again
That you're not proud
That you don't have an over-inflated sense of self-worth
That you may be
That perhaps you could be
Cry out loud
Don't be afraid to express yourself vocally
Cry out loud
Let your emotions out
All the things you left
The things you abandoned
You left behind
That you gave up on
I want it back
I desire to retrieve it
Dead or alive
Regardless of its condition
Dead or alive
In any state
Living like you do
Existing how you are
On borrowed time
Without much time left
Well, yesterday
Our past
Ain't worth a dime
Has no value
Ain't got the time
Don't have enough time
Contributed by Natalie A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@frankmartinez3020
I miss the 80$ nostalgia for the 60's !!!! The hippie late 60's were very RETRO in the early 80$ !!! ☮️✌️☮️✌️☮️✌️☮️✌️☮️✌️☮️
🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🤯
@TheDacapo1
The whole Paisley Underground should have been huge. Such great songs and a great sound overall. I miss it all so much.
@jamesdignanmusic2765
So long David - thanks for the wonderful music :(
@5060tube
RIP David Roback
@stuffilike2739
Saw them at the Rat in Boston the summer of 1984. David Roback had already split, but still an amazing show. Matt Piucci rocked the club. This album was the sound of that summer as far a me and my friends were considered. We got our own band together as a result. All the songs on this album are classics, especially What She's done to you mind.
@MikeBozart
what an excellent band this was.
@moogyboy6
I came to this from the Asteroid No. 4's excellent cover version. The original's great too. Wow. Definite Beatles-Byrds fusion.
@pfmaguire2000
great album - then and now
@afullhalfgramofacid
Beatle-esque..."but, you don't see me..." ...almost hear the strains of it...
@jacquesaubin4454
Best of their lps, when David Roback was in the band