A number of their albums are concept albums - Catatonia is a concept album "depicting the internal journey of a man born without the ability to dream". The Robbery of Murder is about a man who hunts down the drunk driver responsible for running down his father when he was a boy.
Their CD, Mimi's Magic Moment features guest appearances from Neal Morse, David Ragsdale of Kansas and Fred Schendel from Glass Hammer and is highly recommended. They recently released their eighth studio album, Pennies in the Karma Jar, on the surface it appears to be a "praise and worship" album, but like everything with Salem Hill it is much deeper than that. Carl Groves' exceptional guitar playing, introspective lyrics, and love affair with the Hammond dominates their latest work.
January
Salem Hill Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I gotta go I can not stay
searching out throUgh endless summer days
summer’s gone there’s no yesterday
voices clouding up my mind
I just want a little more time
january
january
lead me on to I don’t know
quickening the pace of things to be
drawing down the power of the three
prophets of the ancients know the score
hesitation stands me still
I’m thinking I’ll just wait until
here I am offering my soul
I stand before you the open door
it’s okay it’s only Rock And Roll
take me to the wishing well
I’ve got a coUple dreams to sell
The lyrics of Salem Hill's song "January" are reflective of the changes that come with the transition of seasons, particularly from summer to winter. The opening lines "looking out looking both ways, I gotta go I cannot stay" give a sense of restlessness and the need to move on. This emotion is further accentuated by the line "searching out through endless summer days, summer's gone there's no yesterday" which highlights the fleeting nature of summer and the inevitability of change. The singer's thoughts are clouded by various voices and he wishes for more time to reconcile his thoughts and feelings.
The lyrics take on a more mystical tone with the lines "quickening the pace of things to be, drawing down the power of the three, prophets of the ancients know the score" which suggest a call to spirituality and the lessons that can be learned from the past. The hesitation expressed in the line "hesitation stands me still, I'm thinking I'll just wait until" emphasizes the reluctance to move forward and a preference to wait for a sign before taking action.
The song concludes with the singer offering his soul and standing before an open door ready to embrace change. The line "it's okay it's only Rock and Roll" provides a sense of comfort and reassurance that change can be embraced with optimism.
Line by Line Meaning
looking out looking both ways
I am trying to assess the situation carefully before I make a decision
I gotta go I can not stay
I have no choice but to leave the current situation
searching out throUgh endless summer days
I have been searching for something without any luck
summer’s gone there’s no yesterday
I am regretful that I didn't make a decision earlier and now it's too late
voices clouding up my mind
My thoughts are getting jumbled because of the many opinions and suggestions I have been hearing
I just want a little more time
I need more time to evaluate the situation before making a decision
january
The start of a new year brings hope and anticipation for new beginnings
wake me child before you go
I need someone to remind me of my obligations before I make a rash decision
january
The start of a new year brings hope and anticipation for new beginnings
lead me on to I don’t know
I am willing to take a chance and explore the unknown
quickening the pace of things to be
I am getting anxious and want things to happen quickly
drawing down the power of the three
I am seeking guidance from a higher force or authority
prophets of the ancients know the score
Those who came before me have knowledge and insight that can help me
hesitation stands me still
I am stuck and unable to move forward because of my indecision
I’m thinking I’ll just wait until
I am hoping that a better opportunity or decision will present itself if I just wait a little longer
here I am offering my soul
I am willing to make a significant sacrifice to achieve my goal
I stand before you the open door
I am ready and willing to take on new challenges and opportunities
it’s okay it’s only Rock And Roll
I am trying to justify my actions as something insignificant or harmless
take me to the wishing well
I am hoping for good luck or success
I’ve got a coUple dreams to sell
I have big ambitions and am willing to take chances to achieve them
Contributed by Hunter V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.