They were signed to Island Records and went on to release their second studio album Every Six Seconds. Saliva later released their third studio album titled Back into Your System on November 12, 2002 which reached #19 on the Billboard 200. Back into Your System launched one of Saliva's most successful songs, "Always", reaching #51 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on the Modern Rock Chart. Three years after Survival of the Sickest, Saliva released Blood Stained Love Story on January 23, 2007, repeating Back into Your System's chart performance at #19 on the Billboard 200. Its first single, "Ladies and Gentlemen", peaked at #2 on the Mainstream Rock Chart.
Saliva was originally founded in Memphis, Tennessee in September 1996. After competing in the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences Grammy Showcase competition, where they advanced to the final round in New York City, the group self-released their self-titled debut album which sold over 10,000 copies in their region, prompting Island Records to take notice.
Saliva's Island debut Every Six Seconds was released in 2001 and featured the singles "Your Disease" and "Click Click Boom", both of which saw significant play on rock radio and helped bring the band into mainstream popularity.
Back into Your System, their third album, was released in 2002, which included the chart topping hits "Always", and "Rest in Pieces" co-written by James Michael and Nikki Sixx of Mötley Crüe. The song "Pride" was first given to the fans in a concert in a small bar, but Josey Scott also took some heat during this era for shouting out vulgar remarks about the Dixie Chicks. The band toured in 2003, opening for KISS and Aerosmith. Saliva beat out Billy Idol for the tour.
Saliva then released Survival of the Sickest on August 17, 2004, reaching #20 on the Billboard 200. On May 29, 2005, guitarist Chris D'Abaldo announced he had left the band "for obvious reasons, as the band is not a unit anymore." He then shortly retracted his statement and apologized, declaring on the band's website that "there was a bit of an issue we're working through and we're looking forward to recording a new album later this year". However, the band's website later apologized again for the confusion and confirmed that due to "creative differences", D'ABaldo was in fact leaving the band, but that Saliva was "completely moving forward as planned and [has] our best music ahead of us". D'ABaldo eventually moved on to start the band Smolder. Jake Stutevoss formerly of the band Future Leaders of the World replaced him in Saliva's tour lineup. Stutevoss left the group right before the recording sessions for Ladies and Gentlemen. Jonathan Montoya, formerly of Full Devil Jacket, then became the next permanent member of Saliva.
A new single, titled "Ladies and Gentlemen" was released in November 2006 to radio stations and made it to #2 on the US Mainstream Rock charts. Saliva released the album Blood Stained Love Story on January 23, 2007. It has also been included as the background music for a number of Sony's commercials for the PlayStation 3. It was also made the official Theme song for Wrestlemania 23. The second single released off of the album was "Broken Sunday", which reached #8 on the Mainstream Rock chart, and is frequently on the Sirius top 20 on Octane. Saliva's tour manager Chris stated that the new single off Blood Stained Love Story would be "King of the Stereo".
In an interview with WWE on February 27, Scott said "We're going to go in the studio probably around May and record our next record. If you like "Ladies and Gentlemen" and "Click Click Boom", and more dynamic stuff, it’s going to be an ass-whooping of a record. It’s going to be 45 minutes of ass-whooping!" Saliva toured with Sevendust in South Korea, Japan and a brief stint in Europe until July 2008.
As of April 30, 2008, Octane 20 on Sirius Satellite Radio began playing a new song titled "Don't Question My Heart", featuring Brent Smith from Shinedown. The song can be found on the album WWE The Music, Vol. 8, and was the official television theme song for the ECW brand. Saliva's sixth studio album is titled Cinco Diablo and was released on December 16, 2008. "Hunt You Down" was a song on the album that was then made the official WWE No Way Out 2009 theme song in February 2009.
The band have worked on a reality television show style DVD following the recording of Cinco Diablo and life on the road. In an interview with MJP, Josey was asked if it was a TV Show to which Josey stated "I hope not", and stated that he wanted it more as "a DVD or something for our fans".
Saliva was recently on tour with Pop Evil, Since October, Dead Season, and Aranda. They were scheduled to join the 13th annual SnoCore Tour, but singer Josey Scott had ulcer surgery. Walt Lafty of Silvertide was hired to fill in for Scott for the tour, but Saliva ultimately decided to drop out of the tour, instead of touring with Lafty.
On March 23, 2010, the band released a Greatest Hits album titled, Moving Forward in Reverse: Greatest Hits. "Time to Shine" from said album was used as the official theme song for the "WWE Extreme Rules" Pay-Per-View in 2010.
On 30 August 2010, the band announced the exit of guitarist Jonathan Montoya, saying that they would carry on as a four piece. They had begun recording their latest album, titled Under Your Skin, with Howard Benson.
The band supplied a song titled "Badass" to the Saw 3D soundtrack released on October 26, 2010.
The band released the lead single from their new album Under Your Skin, entitled "Nothing". It was digitally released on February 1, 2011. "Badass" was later released as the second single, and reached No. 26 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Tracks.
At the end of 2011, after 15 years with the band, Josey Scott decided to leave the band to pursue a solo Christian music career.
In early January 2012 it was announced that Bobby Amaru has joined Saliva as the new vocalist. According to Wayne, "he is a 28-year-old singer, songwriter, producer from Jacksonville, Florida who has a GREAT voice and will not only bring some fresh blood into the band but; will also put a new spin on the Saliva sound." Amaru was the front-man of his solo band Amaru, as well as the drummer for Burn Season.
On February 10, 2012, Saliva released a brand new single named "All Around the World" and said to write a brand new album straight after the tour. In addition to "All Around the World", the band has been performing another new song titled "One More Night" on their current tour with 12 Stones and Royal Bliss.
On November 30, 2012, it was announced that the band had just signed a new record deal with Rumbum Records & that after they have finished their current tour, the band will return home to finish writing the new album and begin recording in January for a release date some time in the spring.
On February 5, 2013, Saliva began recording a new album which would later be named “In It to Win It”. “In It to Win It” was to be the bands eighth record (1st with RumBum Records) with producer Bobby Huff, and executive producer Luis Bacardi. Bobby Huff co-wrote Saliva’s single “Badass” and has worked with artists such as Meat Loaf, 3 Doors Down & Cavo.
On April 30, 2013, the band released its first single from the new album, the aggressively anthemic title track “In It To Win It,” which is now available on iTunes. On September 3, 2013, the band released an album "In It to Win It".
On January 22, 2014, a new single "Rise Up" was announced. It was also revealed that "In It to Win It" was an early limited time fan only sneak peek and the band is going to release the new record titled "Rise Up" with the same songs re-arranged.
On April 16, 2016 Saliva announced their new album, titled Love, Lies & Therapy would be released June 10, 2016. Later in May, the group announced they would be supporting the album by taking part of the "Make America Rock Again" tour in the summer 2016 alongside Trapt, Saving Abel, Alien Ant Farm, Crazy Town, 12 Stones, Tantric and Drowning Pool.
In mid-2018, drummer Paul Crosby announced his departure from the band after 18 years. Shortly afterward, bassist Brad Stewart would also depart to focus on other touring and projects. Saliva then released their tenth studio record, 10 Lives, on October 19, 2018 via Megaforce Records. The album was produced by frontman Bobby Amaru and Steve Perreira in Jacksonville, Florida. In 2019, both Crosby and Stewart confirmed their return to the band. Saliva would go on to tour in 2019 as a part of Puddle of Mudd's Muddfest.
In October 2019, former vocalist Josey Scott announced on The Morning Dump podcast that he planned to reunite with Saliva for a tour and a new studio album. This was confirmed by Swinny in an interview with Detroit's WRIF Radio, adding that although "there's nothing on paper," the reunion should take place from 2020 into 2021 to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Every Six Seconds. In addition to Scott rejoining, Swinny also suggested that former guitiarist Chris D'Abaldo may also be taking part. In January 2021, it was announced that these plans were put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
On April 16th, 2021, the band released a music video for "After Me" following the 20th anniversary of their second album Every Six Seconds. Also, guitarist and founder Wayne Swinney sat out touring for August, due to testing positive for COVID-19, with Josh Kulack filling in for him.
Superstar
Saliva Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Toast of champagne 'cause I came for greed and not for tomorrow
If it feels good then it feels good and I do it all day
You want me to play you best bring your brain, you best bring your money (Yeah!)
Make me a superstar (Yeah!)
No matter who you are.
Damn my throat is dry, I can't taste the wine from these empty bottles
Films and magazines its all what I need and all what I planned on
Where's my limousine
It's just like a dream that I won't wake up from (Yeah!)
Make me a superstar (Yeah!)
It don't matter who you are (Yeah!)
Make me a superstar (Yeah!)
No matter who you are.
And all of my pills and all of my drinks is makin' me, makin' me, makin' me
And all that I feel and all that I see is makin' me, makin' me, makin' me
Cover me in greed, 'cause you planted the seed when you fed my ego
Needless and disease for old invincible me like some kind of hero
Is it no surprise that I'm paralyzed by my fame and fortune
As I close my eyes and dive into the sky I'm dead 27 (Yeah!)
Make me a superstar (Yeah!)
It don't matter who you are (Yeah!)
Make me a superstar (Yeah!)
No matter who you are.
And all of my pills and all of my drinks is makin' me, makin' me, makin' me
And all that I feel and all that I see is makin' me, makin' me, makin' me
And all of my pills and all of my drinks is killin' me, killin' me, killin' me
And all that I feel and all that I see is fakin' me, fakin' me, fakin' me (Yeah!)
Make me a superstar, (Yeah!)
It don't matter who you are (Yeah!)
Make me a superstar, (Yeah!)
No matter who you are (Superstar)
The lyrics of Saliva's song "Superstar" may seem like an anthem of aspiration to be a celebrity, but they are, in fact, a scathing critique of the culture of fame and fortune. The opening lines show the singer's desire to take the lead, the greed to seek immediate gratification, and the complete disregard for the future consequences of his actions. The next lines mention the thrill of addiction, further highlighting the singer's hedonism and eagerness to seek pleasure at any cost.
Later in the song, the singer mentions the emptiness of his life, where films, magazines, and limousines are all he needs to feel fulfilled. The singer seems to have lost touch with reality and is living in a bubble of his own creation. The lines "Needless and disease for old invincible me like some kind of hero," indicate a sense of invincibility and entitlement, leading to the singer's downfall.
The phrase "dead 27" may refer to the many rock stars who died at the age of 27, such as Kurt Cobain, Janis Joplin, and Jimi Hendrix. This line alludes to the self-destructive behavior of celebrities who fall prey to the trappings of fame.
Overall, "Superstar" is a sobering critique of the culture of fame and fortune that encourages people to aspire to a life of superficiality, addiction, and ultimately, self-destruction.
Line by Line Meaning
Now has come the day that I take the lead and I make you follow
I am taking charge and you will blindly follow me.
Toast of champagne 'cause I came for greed and not for tomorrow
I am not interested in the future, only in satisfying my own desires.
If it feels good then it feels good and I do it all day
I will continue doing what makes me feel good, regardless of the consequences.
You want me to play you best bring your brain, you best bring your money (Yeah!)
If you want to be entertained, you better be prepared to pay for it.
Make me a superstar (Yeah!)
No matter who you are.
I want to be a superstar, it doesn't matter who you are.
Razor blade and lines and I walk the line without feeling no one
I am engaging in dangerous and self-destructive behavior without concern for my own well-being or the feelings of others.
Damn my throat is dry, I can't taste the wine from these empty bottles
I am drinking so much that my ability to enjoy it is diminishing.
Films and magazines its all what I need and all what I planned on
I am obsessed with fame and fortune and will do whatever it takes to achieve it.
Where's my limousine
It's just like a dream that I won't wake up from (Yeah!)
I am living my dream of being a superstar and I never want to wake up from it.
And all of my pills and all of my drinks is makin' me, makin' me, makin' me
And all that I feel and all that I see is makin' me, makin' me, makin' me
My excessive drug and alcohol use is affecting my perception of reality and causing me to lose touch with myself.
Cover me in greed, 'cause you planted the seed when you fed my ego
I am consumed by my own greed and it is all because you fed my ego and made me feel entitled.
Needless and disease for old invincible me like some kind of hero
I am under the delusion that I am invincible and can take whatever risks I want without consequence.
Is it no surprise that I'm paralyzed by my fame and fortune
My success has made me so self-absorbed and scared to take risks that I am now paralyzed.
As I close my eyes and dive into the sky I'm dead 27 (Yeah!)
I am living life in the fast lane and at this pace, I will not live to see 28.
And all of my pills and all of my drinks is killin' me, killin' me, killin' me
And all that I feel and all that I see is fakin' me, fakin' me, fakin' me (Yeah!)
My lifestyle is slowly killing me and causing me to lose touch with reality.
Make me a superstar, (Yeah!)
It don't matter who you are (Yeah!)
Make me a superstar, (Yeah!)
No matter who you are (Superstar)
I am so obsessed with becoming a superstar that nothing else matters, not even my own well-being.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network
Written by: Paul Allen Crosby, Christopher Jon Dabaldo, David A. Novotny, Joseph Scott Sappington, Wayne A. Swinny
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind