Manning also submitted keyboard work to artists such as Jet, Ringo Starr, Green Day, Angels & Airwaves, Diana Ross, Jamiroquai, Johnny Cash, Lisa Marie Presley, Morrissey, OPM and Sheryl Crow.
Roger lists his influences as keyboard-centric artists Yes, Genesis, King Crimson, Pat Metheny, Herbie Hancock, Jean-Luc Ponty, Chick Corea, Frank Zappa, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Brian Eno and Roxy Music, Steely Dan, Mahavishnu Orchestra as well as punk rock and New Wave bands like Gang of Four, Thomas Dolby, Peter Gabriel, Talking Heads, Elvis Costello, Buzzcocks, Dead Kennedys, Talk Talk, The Damned, XTC, Tears for Fears, Suicidal Tendencies, Madness and Wall of Voodoo.
Biography by Andrew Leahey
The Quickening
Roger Joseph Manning Jr. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
As though I was stranded on some desert isle
Life moved so slow, never paid it no mind
I had no concept of time
With each passing season as I came of age
I worked for The Man, just a rat in his cage
As my ego competed, I picked up the pace
Well the one thing science knows that time is perceived
While religions swear that you need only believe
All I know is I feel cheated and a little deceived
You better beware of The Quickening
Ancient wisdom states the process must be allowed
While those New Age hippies say just live in "the now"
All I know is that I gotta put the brakes on somehow
There's no place to hide from The Quickening
Now I'm over the hill and not too far from home
Caught in a race for the finish, and for what I don't know
There's no talking sense with that Ol' Father Time
Who just continues to rob us all blind
All my youthful indiscretions, well they came at a cost
I've no coping mechanism for the innocence lost
All I know is I feel lonely and a bit double-crossed
It's right on your heels — it's The Quickening
And though selective memory's but a blast from the past
I find solace in the present; now can I make it last?
Time is of the essence, now I've got to act fast
I'm making amends with The Quickening
Stop the presses!
(make the headlines tonight)
I'm sure to make headlines tonight
(make the headlines)
All bear witness
As the first time machine takes flight
Gonna travel back to ninety sixty-six
And keep my mom from pullin' all her favourite tricks
Without a trace, I'll vanish from the census charts
Might have to break a few hearts
And watch as my life slipped away...
All my youthful indiscretions, well they came at a cost
I've no coping mechanism for the innocence lost
All I know is I feel lonely and a bit double-crossed
You better beware of The Quickening!
Well, the one thing science knows that time is perceived
While religions swear that you need only believe
All I know is I feel cheated and a little deceived
You better beware of The Quickening
Ancient wisdom states the process must be allowed
While those New Age hippies say just live in "the now"
All I know is that I gotta put the brakes on somehow
There's no place to hide from The Quickening
You better beware of The Quickening
There's no place to hide from The Quickening
The Quickening by Roger Joseph Manning Jr. reflects on the concept of time and how it affects our lives. The lyrics begin with the artist thinking back to his childhood, where time was slow and he had no concept of it. However, as he grew older and entered the workforce, time began to slip away from him. The artist reflects on the different perceptions of time from science and religion but ultimately feels cheated and deceived. The theme of The Quickening is the realization that time is precious and fleeting, and one must act fast to make amends or live in the present.
The chorus of the song warns listeners to beware of The Quickening, which is presented as a force that brings about change and evolution. Ancient wisdom and New Age beliefs are presented as ways to cope with The Quickening but ultimately leave the artist feeling like he needs to put the brakes on. The song concludes with the artist contemplating time travel as a means to make amends for past mistakes.
The Quickening's lyrics touch upon existential questions that many individuals face at some point in their lives about the passing of time and the importance of living in the present. It wrestles with the paradox of the perception of time which can be fluid or rigid, slow or fast depending on our individual perspectives.
Line by Line Meaning
When I think back to my days as a child
Reflecting on childhood memories
As though I was stranded on some desert isle
Feeling isolated and detached
Life moved so slow, never paid it no mind
Taking life for granted and not realizing time's passing
I had no concept of time
Lacking awareness of time's importance and fleeting nature
With each passing season as I came of age
Growing older and experiencing life's changes
I worked for The Man, just a rat in his cage
Being stuck in a mundane job with little freedom
As my ego competed, I picked up the pace
Striving for success and status at the cost of time
And I watched as my life slipped away
Realizing the time lost due to ego and work
Well the one thing science knows that time is perceived
Exploring time's perception and scientific knowledge
While religions swear that you need only believe
Contrasting science with faith's belief system
All I know is I feel cheated and a little deceived
Feeling misled and disappointed about time's effects
You better beware of The Quickening
Warning about time's fast-moving nature
Ancient wisdom states the process must be allowed
Referencing traditional wisdom about letting time pass
While those New Age hippies say just live in 'the now'
Contrasting traditional wisdom with modern ideas of mindfulness
All I know is that I gotta put the brakes on somehow
Feeling the need to slow down in the face of time's speed
There's no place to hide from The Quickening
Expressing time's overwhelming presence
Now I'm over the hill and not too far from home
Reaching old age and approaching the end of life
Caught in a race for the finish, and for what I don't know
Feeling like time is rushing towards the end without clear purpose
There's no talking sense with that Ol' Father Time
Personifying time as an absolute force that cannot be reasoned with
Who just continues to rob us all blind
Portraying time as stealing away life's opportunities and memories
All my youthful indiscretions, well they came at a cost
Acknowledging the consequences of past mistakes
I've no coping mechanism for the innocence lost
Struggling with the loss of innocence over time
It's right on your heels — it's The Quickening
Emphasizing time's proximity and speed
And though selective memory's but a blast from the past
Reflecting on the benefits of nostalgia
I find solace in the present; now can I make it last?
Finding peace in the present moment and questioning how to sustain it
Time is of the essence, now I've got to act fast
Realizing the importance of time and needing to take action
I'm making amends with The Quickening
Accepting time and taking steps to live in accordance with it
Stop the presses!
Announcing an important event
(make the headlines tonight)
Calling for media attention
I'm sure to make headlines tonight
Expecting significant attention and publicity
(make the headlines)
Reiterating the need for attention
All bear witness
Inviting others to share in the event
As the first time machine takes flight
Describing a revolutionary invention
Gonna travel back to ninety sixty-six
Planning to travel back in time to a specific year
And keep my mom from pullin' all her favourite tricks
Intending to change a past event for a specific purpose
Without a trace, I'll vanish from the census charts
Describing the effect of changing past events
Might have to break a few hearts
Acknowledging the potential consequences of changing the past
You better beware of The Quickening!
Reiterating the warning about time's fast pace
Contributed by Michael H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.