After becoming instant Top 40 material with their driving hit Right Now and the lesser-known Politically Correct on their first album, the band slowly shied from the limelight for its second album, part of the reason the third album was not released in the US.
In recent days lead singer Mitch Allan has pursued a solo career, reworking some SR-71 songs and creating some of his own. SR-71 split in 2007, but reformed in 2009.
The name of the band came from SR-71 Blackbird, a retired supersonic surveillance aircraft of the United States Air Force.
Current Members:
* Mitch Allan - lead vocals, guitar
* Pat DeMent - guitar, backing vocals
* Mike Ruocco - bass, backing vocals
* John Allen - drums, percussion, backing vocals
Former members:
* Dan Garvin - drums, percussion, backing vocals (1998–2001)
* Mark Beauchemin - guitar, keyboards, backing vocals (1998–2003)
* Jeff Reid - bass, keyboards, backing vocals (1998–2003)
Non-Toxic
SR-71 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like an old newspaper no one has time to read
This child has grown into a dead end
Since I lost the power to pretend
But it's all right, that's who I am inside
Not much to say on this non-toxic, ordinary day
So take this pocket full of Kryptonite and beat it back to Metropolis
There's only room for one on this microphone
In my finest hour I'm still alone
But old news can change, as memories float downstream
So don't judge me by my failures, only by my dreams.
In the first verse, the singer implies that they feel useless or forgotten, like an old newspaper that no one has time to read. They also mention that they lost the ability to pretend, suggesting that they can't pretend to be someone they're not or hide their true feelings anymore. Despite feeling this way, they seem to accept it as part of who they are. The second verse references the idea of a superhero or someone who is admired, but the singer doesn't see themselves that way. They acknowledge that they may not be the best or the most talented, but they still have something to offer. The final lines encourage others not to judge them based on their failures, but to focus on their dreams instead. Overall, the lyrics suggest a sense of loneliness and insecurity, but also a determination to be themselves and not conform to others' expectations.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm one of those things you'll save forever, but never need.
The singer compares themselves to an old newspaper that is kept around but never read.
Like an old newspaper no one has time to read
The singer uses this simile to further emphasize their feeling of being forgotten.
This child has grown into a dead end
The singer feels lost or stuck in their current situation.
Since I lost the power to pretend
The artist used to be able to pretend that everything was okay, but now they can't.
But it's all right, that's who I am inside
Despite feeling forgotten and stuck, the artist accepts who they are.
Not much to say on this non-toxic, ordinary day
The day is unremarkable, and the singer has nothing special to share.
That's no superhero standing right in front of us
The singer is not a superhero or exceptional person.
So take this pocket full of Kryptonite and beat it back to Metropolis
The artist suggests that the listener use their perceived weakness against them and leave.
There's only room for one on this microphone
The artist claims their space and will not share the spotlight.
In my finest hour I'm still alone
Even when the artist is at their best, they feel isolated.
But old news can change, as memories float downstream
The singer suggests that people and situations can change over time.
So don't judge me by my failures, only by my dreams.
The artist asks to be judged not by their mistakes, but by their aspirations.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: MITCHELL ALLAN SCHERR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind