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''
Don't Wanna Lie
Richie Kotzen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can you try understand Im leavin now
You dont have to wonder what it is were fighting for
Cause we dont have to live no more in all this denial
I dont wanna pretend anymore I dont wanna have to lie
Maybe we can be friends if you want only if you got the time
I dont wanna pretend anymore I dont wanna have to lie
Truth, thats what Im feelin now
And its you I have been deceiving
What can I do but tell you I really am sorry
But all this talk is the reason
(chorus)
The lyrics to Richie Kotzen's song "Don't Wanna Lie" convey a sense of honesty and vulnerability. The singer is attempting to communicate their feelings and intentions to someone they have been in a relationship with, but it seems that the relationship has reached a breaking point. The singer is tired of pretending and hiding their true feelings, yet they still care enough about the other person to want to remain friends.
The lines "Try, try and tell me what your feeling now / Can you try understand I'm leavin' now" suggest that this conversation may have already occurred or is about to happen. The singer is urging the other person to open up and be honest with them about their own feelings, while also acknowledging that their decision to leave may be difficult to comprehend.
The chorus of the song repeats the lines "I don't wanna pretend anymore / I don't wanna have to lie / Maybe we can be friends if you want / But I don't wanna have to lie." This repetition reinforces the idea that the singer is tired of hiding their true feelings and is willing to take the risk of being honest, even if it means losing the other person as a romantic partner.
Overall, "Don't Wanna Lie" is a emotional and introspective song that explores the complexities of relationships and honesty.
Line by Line Meaning
Try, try and tell me what your feelin now
Make an effort to share your true emotions with me.
Can you try understand Im leavin now
Please try to comprehend that I am leaving.
You dont have to wonder what it is were fighting for
There's no need to question the reason behind our conflict.
Cause we dont have to live no more in all this denial
We can no longer continue to deceive ourselves.
I dont wanna pretend anymore I dont wanna have to lie
I refuse to act falsely or deceive any longer.
Maybe we can be friends if you want only if you got the time
We can possibly have a friendly relationship if you have the availability and interest.
Truth, thats what Im feelin now
My current feeling is that of honesty and transparency.
And its you I have been deceiving
It is you that I have been dishonest with.
What can I do but tell you I really am sorry
I have no choice but to apologize and express my remorse.
But all this talk is the reason
Our communicative actions are the source of this situation.
Maybe we can be friends if you want but I dont wanna have to lie
It is possible for us to have a friendly relationship, but I refuse to be dishonest in any way.
Contributed by Kaelyn C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Dario Biagiotti
I still don't understand why this guy hasn't still become the biggest rock star in the world. He's got everything. Maybe too much (?).
Roxy Moser
He won't give in to the corporate bullshit.
Tcrsst
Richie has it all. What a talent. What a great career. He should be proud
mhollandtag
Richie's not cocky, his humor ,shyness, and expectations of perfection during his live shows are often times mistaken as cocky, but he's not.
Lechon Z
una canción preciosa, expresiva, y única es 100% joven muy bien Richie
Keith Salyards
Damn this guy has it all...killer voice, sick song writing, amazing guitar player. Oh and he hit every branch on the genetic good looking tree too...
Satch's Jam Room
One of my favorite Richie's song
Paul Chavez
Que fino es este tema!!! Un musicazo!!!🥳
Carla Angelena
I don't even know where to begin! Richie Kotzen is the shit! And will always be the shit!! He is the total package. Crazy amazing guitar skills, powerful voice. He can literally sing the alphabet and have it be a number 1 hit lbvs!! And it also doesn't hurt that he's easy on the eyes. They keep sleepin' on you Mr. Kotzen and you keep showing why that's not a wise thing to do!!
Daryl Marie Didia Dee
Very true