The current members are Chris Barron (lead vocals), Anthony Krizan (guitar and vocals), Aaron Comess (drums) and Mark White (bass). The history of the Spin Doctors can be traced back to the late 80s in New York City, originally as a band called Trucking Company, which included Canadian guitarist Eric Schenkman, John Popper, and later Chris Barron. Barron was John Popper's Princeton, New Jersey high school friend. Popper left this side project to focus on his main gig with rock group Blues Traveler full time. With a name change to Spin Doctors, as well as the addition of Aaron Comess and Mark White, the classic lineup was in place by the spring of 1989.
Recorded from August to December 1990 at both the famous Power Station studio in NYC as well as the RPM Studios, NYC and ACME Recording Studios Inc. in Mamaroneck, NY, the band released 'Pocket Full of Kryptonite' on August 20, 1991. Experiencing a slow burn of sorts in terms of success over the next few years, the band released the singles "Jimmy Olsen's Blues", "Little Miss Can't Be Wrong", "How Could You Want Him (When You Know You Could Have Me?)", "Two Princes", and "What Time Is It?", managing serious chart success in both the U.S. and the U.K. Their sound incorporated shades of contemporary college rock and underground power pop as well as more indie and blues rock styles.
'Turn It Upside Down' (1994) was not as successful as 'Kryptonite', although it did sell a million copies. Its second single, "You Let Your Heart Go Too Fast", was a modest hit (#48 on the pop chart). Shortly after the release of Turn It Upside Down, original guitarist Eric Schenkman left the band, citing both musical and personal differences. He was replaced by Anthony Krizan. Fans feared, for good reasons, that the group had somewhat stalled creatively.
The follow-up, You've Got to Believe in Something (1996), sold poorly and the band lost its record contract. Guitarist Krizan also left the band following its release, for reasons that remain relatively unknown. He was replaced by Eran Tabid. Also during this time, Ivan Neville joined the band on keyboards. In 1998, the band signed to Uptown/Universal and released Here Comes the Bride in 1999. During the recording of Here Comes The Bride, Mark White left the band. The bass tracks on the album were finished by original band member Aaron Comess.
During the tour supporting Here Comes The Bride, Chris Barron lost his voice due to a rare form of vocal cord paralysis. Keyboardist Ivan Neville took over vocal duties for a few dates, but the band eventually cancelled the remainder of its tour, crippling sales of the album. Chris' voice came back in late 2000, where he began performing with his band Chris Barron and the Give Daddy Five.
The Spin Doctors remained stagnant until 2001, when the closing of the famous New York City club Wetlands brought the original four members back together. The band started playing one-offs and eventually recorded an album, Nice Talking To Me, released on September 13, 2005. So far, the album has yet to be met with much commercial success. They have also made a guest appearance on the children's book and its accompanying album by Children's Author/Artist Sandra Boynton singing "Tantrum".
Forty Or Fifty
Spin Doctors Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lying in a lot
Red raincoats and rifles
An epidemic has been stopped
Scientist speaks what are you wondering about?
He got where he is by turning lab mouse inside out
The things we do and have to do
The things I do for you
And what you do for me too
The "Yeah, but I..."
And any other excuse
And if you take it for given
Then what's the use
All his possessions
Around him in his house
Lying beside him his
Companion and spouse
And in the morning
He dress and go to hell
All activated by
A little timer bell
[Chorus]
The opening lines of the Spin Doctors' song, "Forty or fifty horses / Lying in a lot / Red raincoats and rifles / An epidemic has been stopped," evoke images of a mass culling of animals to prevent the spread of disease. The next lines, "Scientist speaks what are you wondering about? / He got where he is by turning lab mouse inside out," introduce a character who seems to be a scientist, perhaps involved in developing vaccines or other preventive measures.
The chorus of the song, which is repeated twice, seems to allude to the sacrifices people make for each other, as well as the excuses we give to justify our actions. The line "The things we do and have to do / The things I do for you / And what you do for me too" suggests that people do things for each other out of love or obligation, and that these actions are reciprocated. However, the use of the phrase "Yeah, but I..." and the idea of taking things for granted (the line "And if you take it for given / Then what's the use") suggest that these sacrifices may not always be appreciated or acknowledged.
The final verses of the song depict a man surrounded by possessions, including his spouse. However, the lines "And in the morning / He dress and go to hell / All activated by / A little timer bell" suggest that despite his affluence, he is trapped in a cycle of daily routine and is perhaps unhappy in his life.
Line by Line Meaning
Forty or fifty horses
There are a large number of horses lying in a lot
Lying in a lot
The horses are situated in a confined space
Red raincoats and rifles
People are wearing red raincoats and carrying rifles, possibly for hunting or protection
An epidemic has been stopped
A widespread disease has been successfully tackled and eliminated
Scientist speaks what are you wondering about?
A scientist is speaking and asking what the audience is curious about
He got where he is by turning lab mouse inside out
The scientist achieved success by conducting thorough research and experiments on mice in the laboratory
The things we do and have to do
Both necessary and optional actions
The things I do for you
Actions done for someone else
And what you do for me too
Actions done by someone else for me
The 'Yeah, but I...' And any other excuse
People make excuses and justifications for their actions
And if you take it for given
If you assume something is guaranteed or true
Then what's the use
What is the point if it's taken for granted?
All his possessions
All of someone's belongings
Around him in his house
They are situated within his home
Lying beside him his
His companion is situated next to him
Companion and spouse
Possibly referring to a significant other
And in the morning
In the early hours of the day
He dress and go to hell
He gets dressed and attends a place he dislikes
All activated by a little timer bell
His routine and schedule is enacted by the sound of an alarm
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: COMESS, GROSS, SCHENKMAN, WHITE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind