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''
Faith
Richie Kotzen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don´t wanna lose my faith
In all of the things that I felt so strong
I may be slippin', but I'm holdin' on. . . Oh
I feel like life has been bleeding me
I'm not the same as I used to be
All around me's changing
But I know, I can´t stop believing
Believing in faith
I don´t wanna lose my faith
In all of the things that I felt so strong
I may be slippin', but I'm holdin' on
Talkin' 'bout faith
I don´t wanna lose my faith
But what am I supposed to do when the feeling's gone?
The hardest thing about it is movin' on
I know somebody has got a bigger plan
I know the future is out of my hands...Oh
I´m all right with waiting and anticipating
And oh, Cause I won´t stop believing
Believing in faith
I don´t wanna lose my faith
In all of the things that I felt so strong
I may be slippin', but I'm holdin' on
Talkin' about faith
I don´t wanna lose my faith
But what am I supposed to do when the feeling's gone?
The hardest part about it is moving on...oh...oh
I have been here for so long...yeah, yeah..oh
But my faith is keeping me strong...strong
Don't stop believing in faith
I don´t wanna lose my faith
In all of the things that I felt so strong
I may be slippin', but I'm holdin' on
I´m talking about faith
I don´t wanna lose my faith
But what am I supposed to do when the feeling's gone?
The hardest part about it is moving on
Don´t wanna lose my faith
Don´t wanna lose my faith
Hey, yeah I just ...just gotta learn to love
I'm never gonna lose my faith...baby, baby, baby, baby
Oh...I just need to...just need to hold on...
Hold on to my faith
Ain't gonna...ain't gonna stop me now
The song Faith by Richie Kotzen is a declaration about not wanting to lose faith in something that the singer felt so strongly about. The song starts with a somber tone, where the singer laments about how life has been bleeding him, and how he is not the same as he used to be. He feels like everything around him is changing, but despite all these changes, he still holds on to his faith. The singer understands that the future is out of his hands, and he is all right with waiting and anticipating.
Throughout the song, the singer emphasizes how important it is to have faith, even when the feeling is gone. The singer acknowledges that it is challenging to move on, but he does not want to lose faith. The song ends with the singer declaring that he is never going to lose his faith, and nobody is going to stop him now.
Overall, the song Faith is about believing in something, even when everything around us seems to be changing. It is about having faith in the future and holding on to that faith regardless of what happens along the way.
Line by Line Meaning
Faith...
The title of the song, which suggests that the lyrics may explore the subject of faith.
I don´t wanna lose my faith
The singer expresses a desire to maintain their faith.
In all of the things that I felt so strong
The singer has previously felt strong in their faith and does not want to lose that feeling.
I may be slippin', but I'm holdin' on. . . Oh
The artist acknowledges that their faith may be weakening, but they are determined to hold on to it.
I feel like life has been bleeding me
The artist feels drained by life or its challenges.
I'm not the same as I used to be
The singer has changed over time, likely due to their life experiences and challenges.
All around me's changing
The singer notices that their environment and the people around them are changing.
The times, the words, the faces
The artist specifically mentions that they observe changes in the societal attitudes and communication styles of people they interact with.
But I know, I can´t stop believing
Despite these changes, the artist is resolute in their belief and does not want to give up on it.
Believing in faith
The artist emphasizes the importance of believing in faith, perhaps as a source of comfort or strength.
Talkin' 'bout faith
The singer continues to discuss the topic of faith.
But what am I supposed to do when the feeling's gone?
The artist questions what they should do when they lose the feeling of faith, possibly expressing doubt or uncertainty.
The hardest thing about it is movin' on
The singer recognizes that moving forward from a loss of faith can be difficult and challenging.
I know somebody has got a bigger plan
The singer believes that there is a bigger plan or purpose beyond their own understanding.
I know the future is out of my hands...Oh
The singer accepts that they cannot control the future.
I´m all right with waiting and anticipating
The artist is patient and optimistic about waiting for things to unfold in their life, despite the unknown future.
And oh, Cause I won´t stop believing
The artist continues to hold onto their belief in faith.
Don't stop believing in faith
The singer urges the listener to maintain their faith.
Hey, yeah I just ...just gotta learn to love
The singer acknowledges that they need to focus on love, perhaps as a way to strengthen their faith.
I'm never gonna lose my faith...baby, baby, baby, baby
The artist reaffirms their commitment to never losing their faith.
Oh...I just need to...just need to hold on...
The artist reinforces their determination to hold onto their faith.
Hold on to my faith
The artist emphasizes holding on to their faith above all else.
Ain't gonna...ain't gonna stop me now
The singer is confident and steadfast in their faith and nothing will deter them from it.
Contributed by Caleb A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Clayton139
This guy is the biggest hidden talent of his time and our time!!
Paul Dumbrell
To join hands with God is the greatest union a simple Man could ever know. God, if, ever you took strength from Me. Let me be You.
Nicolò Paracini
@Robert 'Bobby' Gary Remkes what 😂
Robert 'Bobby' Gary Remkes
Not so hidden anymore..,Probably the most played musician on YouTube today, along with Portnoy. I don't' know what I would do without their music running through my mind, nor where I would be right now.
NorJ88
Great Voice, Great Composition, Great Music. Spectacular! WOW!
Ghost Warden
Thank you, kindly for posting this up! Great tune from a soulful artist!
Clayton139
Best song I've heard in a long, long time!!
apollominor
my faith will always be strong. richie you are such an inspiration.
amy reed
this song gave me back my faith...
WMRomania
God bless Richie Kotzen! :)