Weeks and Jason Null formed the band in their small hometown of Corinth, Mississippi in 2004. They met when Weeks, who was in a band, was playing guitar at his best friend’s house, when Null, who was in a rival local group, walked in to rehearse with his band. Within days of that meeting, Null and Weeks were writing and honing the intimate writing style that now defines Saving Abel. In early 2005, the pair’s songs caught the ear of noted producer Skidd Mills (12 Stones, Saliva, Submersed), who took the band into his 747 Studios in Memphis. Mills notes, “It was ‘18 Days’ that hooked me. The first time I heard it I was like, ‘these guys are the real deal; they’ll be doing this for a long time.’ Jason and Jared have always understood that the most important part of the music business is having great songs.”
Saving Abel gradually came together in the final electric lineup of guitarist Scott Bartlett, bassist Eric Taylor, and drummer Blake Dixon, and the band paid its dues both onstage and off. Weeks would toss Saving Abel demos onto the stage when bigger bands played in town, and between playing gigs, working day jobs, and Weeks and Null constantly driving from Mississippi to Memphis to record their self-titled EP with Mills, it was a busy and prolific couple years. Weeks remembers; “I used to work at a hospital. I’d have to be there at 4:30 in the morning drawing blood. I’d wake people up and stick a needle in their arm. I’d be walking around the hospital, singing ‘Addicted’ in my head, writing down the lyrics on patients’ clipboards and doctor script pads.”
Null and Weeks bring in differing songwriting approaches influences, giving Saving Abel a well-rounded sound. Null comes from a musical family, and recalls Saturday nights at the local community center as a child. “We didn’t miss it, ever! It was bluegrass band after bluegrass band. We’d hoot and holler, as we used to say. My brother traded my bike for a guitar for me when I was 6, and I learned ‘Johnny B. Goode’ that night! I go back to Willie and Waylon, but as a kid of the ‘80s, I also love Metallica. Also, Angus Young is one of my main influences, as well as the guitar sound and solos of Seattle bands like Soundgarden and Alice in Chains.” For his part, a teenage Weeks played basketball and went to state twice in tennis before music consumed his life. A big fan of the blues and Southern Rock, Weeks calls himself the more “literal” songwriter of the two, explaining, “If something is really bothering me, or how I’m feeling at that moment, I’ll write about it. For me to get the most out of a song, I have to get it almost to the point I’m ready to cry if I can’t get it out, and that makes people relate to it.”
After shopping their indie EP for almost a year, a copy of ‘Addicted’ found its way to one-time Virgin A&R Consultant Scott Frazier and manager partner Rick Smith. They were so excited that they sent the song to the label’s Chairman/CEO Jason Flom. Flom was impressed upon first listen and immediately sent A&R vet Kim Stephens (Collective Soul, Matchbox 20, Edwin McCain) to see the band in Jackson, Tennessee. The band was signed the next day. Says Stephens, “I was sold on the merit of the songs and instantly recognized this was a band with huge potential.”
Saving Abel, the Virgin debut produced by Mills, features mostly brand-new tunes, plus a few favorites from the indie EP, including the poignant, perfectly crafted “18 Days,” “Running From You,” and “Drowning Face Down.” Null explains that “18 Days” was lyrically inspired by sheriff Buford Pusser of ‘Walking Tall’ fame, while laughingly admitting that the rowdy road trip in “New Tattoo” (“The blue is for the bruise you left in my heart / and the red is for the color we’re about to paint this town”) is “based on a true story.” Null furthers: “Our goals are always to concentrate on the song, not just one cool part to make a kid bop his head. Every person I talk to loves a different song of ours.” Null was also the one who gave the band its name: “I Googled the story of Cain and Abel and found a line about ‘there was no Saving Abel,’ which just jumped out at me.” Everyone agreed and the name stuck…much like Saving Abel's songs get instantly stuck in the minds and ears of everyone who hears them. With a radio-ready sound combining big riffs and memorable melodies, Saving Abel has created a polished combination of Southern and Alternative rock…. 2008 style. Get Addicted. Get Saving Abel. You can go to http://savingabel.com
I'm Still Alive
Saving Abel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
all the sins I was in last night.
Dear Jesus, please save me,
'cause I think I've fallen down into the depths this time.
Am I dreamin' or still sleepin'?
I wonder if I'm ever gonna make it out.
Now you're gone, and I'm here,
Waking up alive, another day.
It never seems easy
when you'll find, another day.
Where I looked at what I'm facing,
don't know if I can take it.
I could scream out loud,
but I'm wasting my time.
This pain only reminds me, I'm still alive.
Now these feelings, they're creeping,
like a chill crawling up my spine.
It's lonely, it's not easy,
coming home all alone each and every night.
And as time goes by, I feel so bitter.
Waking up alive, another day.
It never seems easy
when you're fighting, another day.
Where I looked at what I'm facing,
don't know if I can take it.
I could scream out loud,
but I'm wasting my time.
This pain only reminds me, I'm still alive.
Don't wake me up, if there's gonna be hell to pay.
All the weight of the world keeps pushing me down.
(pushing me down)
So, just let me sleep,
even if I'm in too deep.
Keep me locked in my dreams,
so I can't get out. (I can't get out)
It's been so hard, but I'm doing much better.
Waking up alive, another day.
It never seems easy
when you're fighting, another day.
Where I looked at what I'm facing,
don't know if I can take it.
I could scream out loud,
but I'm wasting my time.
This pain only reminds me, I'm still alive.
This pain only reminds me (I'm still alive)
This pain only reminds me (I'm still alive)
I could scream out loud,
but I'm wasting my time.
This pain only reminds me, I'm still alive.
The opening lines of "I'm Still Alive" by Saving Abel indicate a feeling of regret and self-condemnation. The singer awakens after a wild night and feels the weight of guilt that comes with bad decisions. The singer pleads to Jesus, asking for salvation to help him navigate the abyss he feels he's fallen into. The lyrics' ambiguity presents two possibilities, that the singer may be uncertain if he's dreaming or awake, and if he can make it out of the pit he's found himself in.
The song's chorus laments the singer's pain, as he struggles to come to terms with a broken relationship. The songwriter uses paradoxical imagery to describe how the sensation of pain reminds him of his existence. Unlike other songs that use pain as a tool for the singer's development, "I'm Still Alive" suggests that the pain drove him to despair and would continue to do so.
The second verse suggests that the relationship ended and that the singer feels "lonely." The passage further illustrates how easy it is to slip into a cycle of depression and sadness, especially when you are "coming home all alone each and every night." While the singer seems to be gaining some control in the final verse, he realizes that life can be difficult, and he does not know if he can take on such challenges. The pain continues to make him aware that he is still alive, despite his emotional turmoil.
Line by Line Meaning
It's morning, and I feel it,
I am experiencing the effects of my actions from the previous night.
all the sins I was in last night.
I made some poor choices that I regret now.
Dear Jesus, please save me,
I am asking for help and guidance from a higher power.
'cause I think I've fallen down into the depths this time.
My current situation feels like rock bottom.
Am I dreamin' or still sleepin'?
I am unsure of my current state of reality.
I wonder if I'm ever gonna make it out.
I am uncertain if I will overcome this experience.
Now you're gone, and I'm here,
Someone I care about is no longer with me, but I am still present in this world.
and I feel so bitter.
I am experiencing resentment and anger towards my current circumstances.
Waking up alive, another day.
I am grateful for another opportunity to live and face my challenges.
It never seems easy
My struggles and obstacles are never simple to overcome.
when you'll find, another day.
Each new day presents its own set of difficulties.
Where I looked at what I'm facing,
I am examining and evaluating the challenges I am up against.
don't know if I can take it.
I am unsure if I have the capability to overcome my challenges.
I could scream out loud,
I feel a strong urge to express my pain and frustration.
but I'm wasting my time.
I realize that venting will not solve my problems.
This pain only reminds me, I'm still alive.
My pain serves as a reminder that I am still living and able to work towards a better future.
Now these feelings, they're creeping,
I am experiencing emotions that are slowly creeping up on me.
like a chill crawling up my spine.
These emotions are causing a physical sensation of discomfort.
It's lonely, it's not easy,
My current situation is causing me to feel alone and uneasy.
coming home all alone each and every night.
I am returning to an empty home each night, which adds to my feelings of loneliness.
And as time goes by, I feel so bitter.
As time passes, my bitterness towards my situation grows stronger.
Don't wake me up, if there's gonna be hell to pay.
I am reluctant to face the consequences of my actions and would rather avoid them.
All the weight of the world keeps pushing me down.
The stress and pressure of life are causing me to feel overwhelmed and helpless.
So, just let me sleep,
I would prefer to stay in a state of unconsciousness.
even if I'm in too deep.
Even if I am in a difficult and challenging situation.
Keep me locked in my dreams, so I can't get out. (I can't get out)
I want to stay in the comfort of my dreams and avoid facing reality.
It's been so hard, but I'm doing much better.
Despite my struggles, I am making progress towards a better future.
This pain only reminds me (I'm still alive)
My suffering serves as a reminder that I am still present in this world and capable of overcoming my challenges.
I could scream out loud,
I have strong feelings of anger and frustration that I want to express vocally.
this pain only reminds me, I'm still alive.
My pain serves as a reminder of my resilience and strength in the face of adversity.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: SKIDD MILLS, JARED WEEKS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind