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''
Livin' Easy
Richie Kotzen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Not like I was, it's all right
I feel like the time of my life is before me
I 'm learning slowly
I found the light I follow
And I feel you lifting me high
Livin' begun now that she's over
Bad way done gone no weight on my shoulder
This time I'm livin' easy
I fought the bad times out without quitting now I'm living
Ain't no one messin' with my mind
I earned a right to live now I'm winning like a new beginning
Times worn a path where I stand
All things are clear in my eyes
Livin' begun now that she's over
No worry my son, I tell you that I'm livin' easy
Bad way done gone no weight on my shoulder
This time I'm livin' easy
Livin' begun now that she's over
No worry my son, I tell you that I'm livin' easy
Bad way done gone no weight on my shoulder
This time I'm livin' easy
This time I'm livin' easy
Oh, I'm livin' easy
The song "Livin' Easy" by Richie Kotzen is an uplifting and inspiring track about overcoming hardship and finding happiness on the other side. The lyrics convey a sense of accomplishment and triumph as the singer reflects on the struggles he has faced and how he has emerged from them a stronger and more resilient person. He feels motivated and energized, ready to take on whatever challenges come his way.
The opening lines, "I feel this time in my life that I saved it I'm motivated / Not like I was, it's all right" suggest that the singer has undergone a significant change in his life, perhaps due to a difficult experience that forced him to reevaluate his priorities and make some tough decisions. He now feels like he is on the right path and has a sense of purpose that he didn't have before. He goes on to say that he is "learning slowly" and has found "the light [he] follow[s]" which is most likely a metaphor for a newfound sense of direction and purpose in his life. He also acknowledges that there is someone who has been supporting him along the way and helping him to rise above his struggles: "And I feel you lifting me high."
The chorus of the song reinforces the theme of newfound freedom and optimism, with lines like "Livin' begun now that she's over" and "Bad way done gone no weight on my shoulder." The singer is essentially saying that he has let go of the past and is now able to enjoy life in a way that was previously impossible. He is "living easy" and encourages others to do the same.
Overall, "Livin' Easy" is a song about perseverance and resilience in the face of adversity. It's a reminder that even when things seem difficult, there is always a way forward and a reason to keep going.
Line by Line Meaning
I feel this time in my life that I saved it I'm motivated
I am currently motivated and feel like I have saved this period of my life.
Not like I was, it's all right
I am content with the changes made from my previous self.
I feel like the time of my life is before me
I believe that the best part of my life is still to come.
I 'm learning slowly
I am learning things at a slow pace but I am not worried about it.
I found the light I follow
I have discovered something that guides me through life.
And I feel you lifting me high
I feel like there is someone watching over me and guiding me through life.
Livin' begun now that she's over
Now that something that had been holding me back is over, I am starting to truly live my life.
No worry my son, I tell you that I'm livin' easy
Don't worry as I am currently enjoying a stress-free life.
Bad way done gone no weight on my shoulder
I have managed to get rid of the negative things in my life, and thus I feel light and free again.
This time I'm livin' easy
My life is currently stress-free, and I intend to keep it that way.
I fought the bad times out without quitting now I'm living
Despite facing adversities, I didn't give up, and that has resulted in me being able to truly live life now.
Ain't no one messin' with my mind
I am in a good headspace and no one is disturbing my peace of mind.
I earned a right to live now I'm winning like a new beginning
I have worked hard to get where I am now, and that has resulted in me being able to enjoy life in a way that feels like a new beginning.
Times worn a path where I stand
I have spent a lot of time at this place, and that has made it seem familiar to me.
All things are clear in my eyes
I currently have a clear understanding of things.
Contributed by Jasmine M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.