While still in high school, he recorded his first solo effort, Mythologies, released on the Carpe Diem label, and produced by future 97 Murry Hammond. Miller and Hammond then formed the group Sleepy Heroes, a power-pop trio that released one CD - Under A Radio Sun - and promptly disbanded.
In the early 1990s, Miller started performing country songs acoustically with Hammond with the moniker Ranchero Brothers - a duo that performs occasionally to this day.
Miller's second solo album The Instigator was released in 2002. In 2006, he released The Believer. Recently he released the self-titled Rhett Miller in 2009.
For photographs and additional information visit Rhett Miller's official website www.RhettMiller.com, or the official website of the Old 97's www.Old97s.com.
The Believer
Rhett Miller Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When are you gonna burn
Half of the things that you knew
In your body were wrong?
I wanted to be friends with you
Now I have come to find
It was mistaken in passion.
And I believe you
They said down in London
Had to be hard to keep hating yourself
When these people are
So well behaved
You did time in Duncanville
Part of you's living there still
In a hole where the souls
Of the lost kids are saved.
And I believe you
When you said happiness is all you wanted
You said this is all you wanted
How I miss
You almost made it
Happiness
All of your good friends
All of the people I'd meet
Keep a list of the things
In this world that we trust
You are here and after
Referred to as someone who
Gave it a shot, gave it up
Left a cruel world to us
And I believe you
When you said happiness is all you wanted
You said this is all you wanted
How I miss
You almost made it
Happiness
You won't get nervous
You won't come down
You won't feel helpless
You won't be around anymore
You won't be around anymore [Repeat: x6]
Anymore
Anymore
Rhett Miller's "The Believer" is a melancholy tune that speaks on the singer's relationship with someone who has passed away. The lyrics depict someone who has been consumed by their own vices and desires, leading them to a tragic end. It starts by talking about the person's activity, stating that it has killed them, and questioning when they're going to face the consequences. Then, the song mentions the singer's failed attempt at being friends with the person, and how they believed them regardless. Afterward, it goes into detail about the person's bond with a place called Duncanville and the consequences of their decisions on the people left behind. The lyrics then lament almost making it to happiness while looking back at the good things in the world that the person will never experience again.
One interesting fact about the song is that it was featured in the sixth season of Dawson's Creek in 2002, which gave it mainstream exposure. Another is that Rhett Miller has mentioned in interviews that the song was inspired by a friend who had committed suicide. Additionally, "The Believer" was released as a single off of Rhett Miller's second solo album "The Instigator" in 2002. The album was produced by Jon Brion, who has worked with artists such as Fiona Apple and Kanye West. The cover art for the album features a painting of Rhett Miller by his own father. The music video for "The Believer" was directed by George Vale and features Miller walking through a graveyard while singing. "The Believer" has been covered by various artists, including Courtyard Hounds and The Civil Wars. The song's chords consist of A, E, D, and G, with a capo on the 2nd fret.
Chords:
Intro: A
Verse 1:
A E A E
Activity killed you
A E A E
When are you gonna burn
A E D G
Half of the things that you knew
A E D G
In your body were wrong?
Chorus:
A E A E
And I believe you
A E D G
When you said happiness is all you wanted
A E D G
How I miss you almost made it happiness
Verse 2:
A E A E
All of your good friends
A E A E
All of the people I'd meet
A E D G
Keep a list of the things
A E D G
In this world that we trust
Chorus:
A E A E
And I believe you
A E D G
When you said happiness is all you wanted
A E D G
How I miss you almost made it happiness
Outro:
A E A E
You won't be around anymore. (x6)
Line by Line Meaning
Activity killed you
Your fast-paced lifestyle led to your demise
When are you gonna burn
You're self-destructive and it seems like it's only a matter of time before you crash and burn
Half of the things that you knew
You had a lot of misconceptions and misunderstandings
In your body were wrong?
These things were deeply ingrained in your being and beliefs
I wanted to be friends with you
I desired companionship with you
Now I have come to find
But now I realize
It was mistaken in passion.
We were wrong to think our connection was more than just a physical attraction
Nobody was wrong
We didn't intentionally deceive each other
And I believe you
Despite the flaws in our relationship, I still have faith in you
They said down in London
Rumors circulated in London
Had to be hard to keep hating yourself
It must be difficult to struggle with self-loathing
When these people are
Even in the midst of people trying their best
So well behaved
You still can't shake the feeling that you don't belong or fit in
You did time in Duncanville
You served a sentence in Duncanville
Part of you's living there still
It still haunts you
In a hole where the souls
In a dark and lonely place
Of the lost kids are saved.
Where other troubled souls are able to find refuge
When you said happiness is all you wanted
You were crystal clear about your desire to find happiness
You said this is all you wanted
There was nothing else you hoped for
How I miss
I have a deep longing for
You almost made it
It's painful to realize you were so close to reaching your goal
Happiness
Of finding true happiness
All of your good friends
All your close friends
All of the people I'd meet
Everyone you introduced me to
Keep a list of the things
Have their own set of criteria
In this world that we trust
For what they consider worth trusting and believing in
You are here and after
Even though you're no longer present
Referred to as someone who
You're remembered as someone who
Gave it a shot, gave it up
Tried your best, but ultimately gave up
Left a cruel world to us
Leaving the world as it is, with all its harshness and suffering
You won't get nervous
You'll no longer feel anxious
You won't come down
You won't experience any lows or downsides
You won't feel helpless
You'll no longer feel powerless
You won't be around anymore
You've left this world
Anymore
And you won't be coming back
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: D.J., JR. ROGERS, KENYA MILLER, JARVIS EDWARD COOPER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind