Bor… Read Full Bio ↴Richie Kotzen is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter.
Born in Reading, Pennsylvania on February 3, 1970, Richie Kotzen was soon taken by music and first began playing piano at the age of five. At the age of seven he was inspired by New York City band KISS to learn the electric guitar. Relentlessly developing chops and his own unique voice on the guitar, Kotzen was eventually discovered by Shrapnel Records' Mike Varney, and he recorded his first album by the age of 18. During that same year, he also graced the cover of several publications including Guitar World Magazine. He created the video Rock Chops for REH video in 1989, highlighting many of his formative techniques, including using wide-intervals and fluid sweeping.
In 1993, Kotzen made his big break when he joined the rock band Poison at age 20, co-writing and performing on the album Native Tongue. This album produced two top twenty singles which Richie wrote, Stand and Until You Suffer Some. Kotzen was subsequently fired from the band when it was discovered that he had been romantically involved with Deanna Eve, the ex-fiance of Poison drummer Rikki Rockett. Kotzen and Eve later married and divorced. In 1999 Kotzen replaced Paul Gilbert as guitarist in the mainstream rock band Mr. Big. Kotzen maintained the band's enormous success, performing on the Mr. Big record Get Over It, which sold more than 1,975,000 copies in its first two weeks in Japan, eventually reaching platinum status. Kotzen also contributed guitars to Mr. Big's subsequent release Actual Size. The record included the Kotzen song Shine, which debuted at number one on Japanese radio charts. Following the disbanding of Mr. Big, Kotzen released the solo album Change, in 2003. The title track, and the song Get A Life were featured in TV commercials throughout Japan.
In mid 2002 Kotzen established a recording Studio/Production company in Los Angeles, California. He has since been producing acclaimed solo albums and collaborating with various figures in rock, jazz, and fusion. He now has formed a band called Forty Deuce which recently released a new album entitled Nothing to Lose.
Richie has a unique style, which he has described as a mix of rock, jazz fusion, and soul music. Of his albums, he claims he is most proud of Vertu. Kotzen utilizes a heavy amount of legato playing into his solos.
Richie is now living in Los Angeles, California. Besides playing the guitar, his hobbies include exercise and sports, especially basketball. Richie has said that if he had'nt become a professional musician, he would have liked to play professional basketball.
In 2008, Kotzen released his first official live album, "Live In São Paulo", which featured Johnny Griparic on bass and Dan Potruch on Drums.
Discography
* (1989) Richie Kotzen
* (1990) Fever Dream
* (1991) Electric Joy
* (1991) Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey (Soundtrack)
* (1993) Native Tongue (Poison)
* (1994) Mother Head's Family Reunion
* (1995) Inner Galactic Fusion Experience
* (1995) Tilt (with Greg Howe)
* (1996) Wave of Emotion
* (1996) Times Gonna Tell (EP)
* (1997) Kotzen/Howe Project (with Greg Howe)
* (1997) Something to Say
* (1998) What Is
* (1999) Break It All Down
* (1999) BiPolar Blues
* (1999) Vertu (project with Stanley Clarke and Lenny White)
* (1999) Get Over It (Mr. Big)
* (2000) Deep Cuts (Mr. Big)
* (2001) Actual Size (Mr. Big)
* (2001) Slow
* (2002) In Japan (Mr. Big)
* (2003) Change
* (2003) Acoustic Cuts
* (2004) Get Up
* (2004) The Best of Richie Kotzen
* (2005) Nothing to Lose (Forty-Deuce)
* (2006) ZxR Ai Senshi
* (2006) Into the Black
* (2007) ''Return Of The Mother Head's Family Reunion'' (Japan & Europe)
* (2007) ''Go Faster'' (US only)
* (2008) ''Live In São Paulo''
* (2009) ''Peace Sign''
* (2011) ''24 Hours''
* (2013) ''The Winery Dogs'' (The Winery Dogs)
* (2014) ''Unleashed In Japan: The Second Show'' (The Winery Dogs) Released only In Japan (DVD/2CD)
* (2014) ''The Essential''
* (2015) ''Cannibals''
* (2015) ''Hot Streak'' (The Winery Dogs)
* (2017) ''Salting Earth''
Videography
* (1989) Rock Chops
* (1994) Mother Head's family Reunion (Videoclip from the Mother Head's family Reunion Album)
* (1996) Wave of Emotion (Videoclip from the Wave of Emotion Album)
* (2001) Don't Wanna Lie (Videoclip from the Slow Album)
* (2001) Shine (Videoclip from Mr. Big's Actual Size Album)
* (2002) ''Hi-Tech Rock Guitar''
* (2005) ''Live In South America''
* (2008) ''Chase It'' (Videoclip from the R.O.T.M.F.R. Album)
* (2008) ''Bootlegged in Brazil''
* (2014) ''Unleashed In Japan: The Second Show'' (The Winery Dogs) Released only In Japan (DVD/2CD)'
* (2015) ''Live''
Chase It
Richie Kotzen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How you'd laugh right in my face…
Did you wanna take me down?
Did you think that I would always be afraid?
Just to damn scared to walk away
Now you wanna come around…
Well I feel like I've finally had enough…
You know you gotta give it up
It's too far gone to chase it…
And when the feelings go you don't wanna have to fake it.
All of the lies you love to tell you know I heard it all before…
But it's over now… your just gonna have to face it… face It…
Do you listen to your friends and what they say?
Do they help you with your faith when you're standing in the crowd?
And do you feel a little lost and out of place?
It's just the pain you can't erase…
And I can't help you with it now…
Cuz I feel like a weight is lifting off and there's no making up…
That's why you gotta give it up
It's too far gone to chase it...
You know that when the feelings go you don't wanna have to fake it.
All of the lies you love to tell you know i've heard it all before
But its over now… your just gonna have to face it…
(solo)
You know you've got to give it up… It's too far gone to chase it.
You know that when the feelings gone you don't wanna have to fake it.
All of the lies you love to tell you know I've heard it all before
But its over now and your just gonna have to face it face it baby, face it that it's over.
In "Chase It" by Richie Kotzen, the singer addresses someone who used to be close with him, but that relationship has eroded over time, likely due to lies and deceit on the other person's part. The lyrics ask if this person thought about the things they used to say and if they ever wanted to take the singer down or if they were just too scared to walk away. The singer expresses his frustration and exhaustion with the situation, stating that he feels like he's finally had enough and that there's no making up for what's been done. The catchy chorus asserts that it's time to give it up and let go of the situation, as it's too far gone to keep trying to chase after it.
The second verse brings up the idea of listening to friends for advice and having faith in oneself, but also feeling out of place and unable to forget the pain of the past. The song ends with a powerful guitar solo before returning to the chorus once again, emphasizing that it's time to face the truth and move on from the hurtful relationship.
Overall, "Chase It" is a powerful anthem about coming to terms with a fractured relationship and choosing to let go of the pain and lies that have caused it to fall apart.
Line by Line Meaning
Did you think about the things you used to say?
Did you reflect on the words and promises you made in the past?
How you'd laugh right in my face…
Remember how you mocked me, thinking I would never leave?
Did you wanna take me down?
Did you want to ruin me and bring me to my knees?
Did you think that I would always be afraid?
Did you genuinely believe that I would never find the courage to walk away?
Just too damn scared to walk away
I was afraid of what might happen if I left
Now you wanna come around…
Why do you suddenly show up, now that I'm moving on?
Well I feel like I've finally had enough…
I have reached my limit and can't take it anymore
There's no making up…
We can't undo the past or fix what's been broken
You know you gotta give it up
You must accept that it's over and let go
It's too far gone to chase it…
Our relationship is beyond repair or salvaging
And when the feelings go you don't wanna have to fake it.
When the love and affection is gone, pretending won't suffice
All of the lies you love to tell you know I heard it all before…
I'm aware of your deceit and manipulation, and won't fall for it again
But it's over now… your just gonna have to face it… face It…
Our relationship is done, and you have to accept the reality
Do you listen to your friends and what they say?
Do you take advice from your friends regarding our relationship?
Do they help you with your faith when you're standing in the crowd?
Do they provide you support and guidance when you need it?
And do you feel a little lost and out of place?
Do you experience confusion and disorientation in your life?
It's just the pain you can't erase…
The hurt and anguish from our relationship is something you can't forget
And I can't help you with it now…
I can't offer support or assistance with your emotional pain anymore
Cuz I feel like a weight is lifting off and there's no making up…
I sense relief and liberation from the burden of our damaged relationship
That's why you gotta give it up
You need to let go and move on from our relationship
But its over now… your just gonna have to face it…
Our partnership is finished, and you have to confront and accept it
Face it baby, face it that it's over.
Confront the reality that our relationship is over and there's no turning back
Contributed by Mateo N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
呂明儒
this is an outstanding piece!!! Richie Kotzen rocks man
VenusMC
Truthful… it frees!
Love your voice
🎸🔥💯
CEB
Damn, this guy is fucking good. Nice job, Sir!
EDMusic Entertainment
Kotzen steps out of the “typical” box, which is why he stands out among the usual. 👍🏻
MrAbelone
Blows my this has 26k views. The best ballad in the past 13 years and counting. It’s up there with Emerson Heart and the Amos Lee stuff of same period.
DebDom
I love this man !! 🤍🤍🤍😘
Lorenzo Zagni
Amazing song!!!!!
mhollandtag
Beautiful song...touching video.
CRISTINA QUINTANA
02:55 MY FAV PART
la_mama_de_todos🐸
hello blue eyes!! THIS IS BEAUTIFUL!!