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''
Still
Richie Kotzen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This is my life and I will do what I please
You say my fate is hopeless,
You say I have no focus
The more I suffocate the more I can see
My bedroom walls are closing on me
As my life passes before me
And I still forever wanna get away
And I will show you that you are wrong
And I still believe there's another way
And I will show you that you are wrong
You know that I will
You come to me with all your visions of hope
You say I let you down so leave me alone
You got your hands on my neck
My strength is more than you expect
The more I suffocate the more I am free
The more I suffocate the more I can see
My bedroom walls are closing on me
As my life passes before me
I know I am living but this life ain't for me
And I still forever wanna get away
And I will show you that you are wrong
And I still believe there's another way
And I will show you that you are wrong
You know that I will
In the song "Still", Richie Kotzen voices his frustration with people who are constantly trying to mold him into something he is not. The lyrics are a rebellion against conformity and a call for individuality. The singer is standing up for his right to make his own choices and live his own life, irrespective of what others think. He refuses to be boxed in by someone else's expectations or opinions, and he chooses to take control of his own destiny. He is aware that his path may not be popular or conventional, but he is unwavering in his resolve to live life on his terms.
The chorus of the song is the most powerful aspect of its message. It's a defiant declaration of independence that shows the singer is still determined to pursue his dreams, even when people around him doubt him. He refuses to be deterred by naysayers who tell him he will never succeed and is willing to prove them wrong. The verse provides insight into the singer's internal struggle, as he feels the pressure to conform closing in on him. The song is not only an inspiring anthem but also a reminder of the importance of standing up for oneself and following one's dreams, no matter how difficult the journey may be.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't try to make me what I don't wanna be
I am not interested in conforming to your expectations or desires for me.
This is my life and I will do what I please
I have sovereignty over my own life and I will live it on my own terms.
You say my fate is hopeless,
You believe that my future is doomed or unlikely to be successful.
You say I have no focus
You think that I lack direction or purpose in my life.
The more I suffocate the more I can see
The more confined or restricted I feel, the clearer my perspective becomes.
My bedroom walls are closing on me
I feel trapped or confined in my current situation or environment.
As my life passes before me
I am reflecting on my life experiences and how they have brought me to this point.
I know I am living but this life ain't for me
Although I am alive, I feel unfulfilled or dissatisfied with the life I am currently living.
And I still forever wanna get away
I have a persistent desire to escape from my current circumstances.
And I will show you that you are wrong
I am confident that I can prove you wrong in your assumptions or opinions about me and my life.
And I still believe there's another way
I remain optimistic that there is a better path or alternative available to me.
You know that I will
I am determined and committed to finding my own way and proving my doubters wrong.
Contributed by Sebastian G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Peyo Simeonov
pump it up !