And so the story goes: Randy Coleman almost never came to be. While his mother, Jean, was shooting a television show in Mexico, and coincidentally pregnant with Randy, she was accidentally injured during filming and began to lose her unborn child. Going against Mexican federal law, she refused to terminate the pregnancy. And with that, she saved Randy's life.
Growing up in the Coleman house the family bonded through an unbridled passion and love of music. Dad was a melody man and Mom, a lover of lyrics. On any given day, you would hear such great and diverse artists such as Ray Charles, Otis Redding, Willie Nelson, and John Denver. Thus began the education of Randy Coleman. In a home filled with an endless stream of amazing music Randy recognized, at a very young age, a great song when he heard it. It moved him; it breathed life into his soul, and before he even knew it was obvious where he was headed.
One of the many turning points in Randy's life came at the age of 13 when his parents divorced. His life being suddenly shaken, Randy sought and found an outlet in the drums, albeit briefly. Being true to his Aries nature, he quickly realized he needed to be out in front. So he picked up a guitar and his therapy began. Armed with nothing more than a second-hand acoustic guitar, a Beatles songbook, and unrelenting ambition, Randy practiced and learned every song in that book. As Randy states, "Looking back, it really helped me get through a very tough and confusing time in my life. Whenever I'm asked how I learned how to play, I tell them 2 guys from Liverpool, John and Paul, taught me."
Turning point number 2 came from the speakers of his sisters' stereo. While blasting Queen's epic "News of the World" record, Randy's ears were assaulted with the unheard of vocals of Freddie Mercury and virtuoso guitar playing of Brian May. The songs weren't bad either. From that point, it was game on! Randy immediately immersed himself in the music of Led Zeppelin, The Beach Boys, CCR, and Cheap Trick, ("Robin Zander, the most underrated singer in rock-n-roll", Randy has said.) With his interest in such diverse artists driving him forward, he happened upon the poetic lyrics and the hi-lonesome sound of Hank Williams. "Hank is one of the few artists I can listen to anytime, no matter what mood I'm in. His voice and lyrics were so pure; you could hear the heartbreak, the struggle, the resolve of his life in every word he sang."
One more step toward defining who Randy Coleman would eventually become. In school, Randy was the kid who was good at just about everything that had nothing to do with school itself. Randy got the bug to follow in his fathers', Dabney Coleman's, footsteps and study acting. True to form, Randy jumped in head first, quickly earning a MFA from Cal Arts. Ironically, this marked another turning point in his career as a singer/songwriter. "Cal Arts is where I found my voice". Immediately after graduation, Randy formed the critically acclaimed, Zoo Story, and shortly thereafter, signed a record deal with the independent label, Vagrant Records. From there, the record was picked up by a Universal Music Group offshoot label called 333. Sounds great, but here's the downside: as has happened countless times in the music business, 333 shuts its doors and Zoo Story is left without a home for their music. But the upside was he got his 1st taste of the big time, of signing a deal, making a record, blah, blah, blah. And, one of the songs on the record, "Star" was featured in the Kevin Costner film, Dragonfly. Soon after, the band went their separate ways. Discouraged yet driven, Randy decided to continue writing and gigging as a solo artist, enlisting Zoo Story guitar player, Carlos Rivera, to help him realize his destiny. He signed with legendary manager Doc McGhee, (Kiss-BonJovi-Motley Crue, Bob Schneider, etc.) and met Skid Row guitarist Snake Sabo. It was suggested that Randy and Snake should work together on some of Randy's music and see what happens. According to Snake, it wasn't work at all. "Working with Randy was the easiest project I have ever been a part of. Every song he played, I loved. When we got in the studio, my job was to basically just press the record button and stop buttons. That's pretty much all the work the songs needed". Together they recorded an acoustic CD titled "The Snake Sessions" which got the ball rolling for Randy.
From there, the CD fell in the hands of producer/songwriter Guy Erez who quickly came on board to produce Randy's first solo effort entitled, "Last Salutation". Utilizing all of his influences yet somehow making them his own, Randy manages to defy convention through sweeping melodies and soaring choruses, constantly avoiding the obvious, taking the listener down a road less traveled. "Last Salutation" is a statement from a unique and original artist who continually defines and redefines himself in the face of the cookie-cutter mentality that defines the present day music business. Last Salutation is the 1st in a long line of things to come. Randy Coleman was the opening act on the Bryan Adams/Def Leppard tour. The tour started June 1st in Portland, OR and continued throughout the summer visiting 26 major cities across the United States. Also, Hey God, a track from Randy's debut CD, was featured on the cd "Music Inspired by the film Crash" released on June 7th through Superb/Koch Records. "Crash" starring Don Cheadle, Matt Dillon, and Sandra Bullock, remained in the top 5 highest-grossing films for many weeks following it’s release on May 6th.
Goodbye Renee
Randy Coleman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know someday I'm gonna break away from you
the sadness is the only thing that is left of you
what will I do when it's gone freedom is a word that brings consequence
sometimes it don't make sense at all when missing you is what I had to do to keep me in control
if I just let go
I'll be free so I'll sew my heart make a brand new start today
goodbye Renee I'll shed my skin into the wind today
These lyrics of Randy Coleman's song 'Goodbye Renee' explore the complexity and pain of a difficult relationship. The singer acknowledges that while the relationship is hard, leaving it will be even harder because the sadness is the only thing left of the person they are breaking away from. The concept of freedom is also explored, with the singer noting that sometimes it brings consequences that don't make sense. They've had to miss the person they love to keep themselves in control. However, the singer knows that in order to be truly free, they need to let go and start anew, hence the line "if I just let go, I'll be free so I'll sew my heart and make a brand new start today."
The chorus of "Goodbye Renee" is a poignant goodbye to the person the singer is leaving. They're shedding their skin, leaving the past behind, and moving forward into the future. But even as they say goodbye, they wonder if the memories they shared will be enough to bring them back together again. The song ends with the singer disappearing for good, confident that the person they're leaving won't even see them as they fade away.
Overall, the song captures the emotional turmoil of a difficult breakup while also expressing the hope and optimism of moving forward.
Line by Line Meaning
the hardest part about you and me is that
The most difficult thing to deal with in our relationship is
I know someday I'm gonna break away from you
I am aware that one day I will have to leave you behind
the sadness is the only thing that is left of you
The only remaining emotion I have towards you is sadness
what will I do when it's gone freedom is a word that brings consequence
I am uncertain how I will feel once the sadness vanishes as freedom can come with consequences
sometimes it don't make sense at all when missing you is what I had to do to keep me in control
It may not seem logical, but I had to distance myself from you to stay in control of my emotions
if I just let go
If I am able to release my attachment to you
I'll be free so I'll sew my heart make a brand new start today
I will feel liberated and can begin anew, so I am mending my heart starting today
goodbye Renee I'll shed my skin into the wind today
Farewell Renee, I am shedding my old self and moving forward
goodbye Renee if those rainy nights that made it all alright could bring us back again would we still be friends in love cause the sun is shining and he's crying telling me "move on"
Goodbye Renee, even if our past intimate moments could magically bring us back together, I do not know if we could still be friends in love. Although the weather is sunny, my heart is crying and telling me to move on
take one last look and I'll be gone for good you don't see me you don't see me at all
One final glance and I will be gone forever, you do not truly see me, you never did
Writer(s): Randy Coleman Copyright: Randy Coleman Music, Warner-tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Contributed by Camden L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.