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".
If Wishes Were Horses
Spin Doctors Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The cheese is full of mold
Oh, come into the fold with me
Global domination
While it sparks my imagination
It kills the vegetation
Ain't its not my cup of tea
My brother is divining
The empire is declining
But the wine is old
Its never sweet enough
And a little too tough
And they play a bit too rough
And they talk a little bit too cold
Say there's another color
Just say it on a bet
You know its true
Though you haven't heard it yet
They're playing it for keeps
Like pieces on a board
You know its true
Though you haven't heard before
Welcome to the decline
Its going just fine
Its good for the wine
And its good for the forces
You can run but you can't hide
And beggars would ride
If they had the horses
If wishes were horses
Beggars would ride
If wishes were horses
Beggars would ride
If wishes were horses
Beggars would ride
If wishes were horses
Oh, beggars would ride
Beggars would ride
The carousel is burning
The models eyes are yearning
The tables aren't turning
But the lunch is free
And its never cheap enough
And its always the same stuff
And they forever call your bluff
And forever get their fee
Say there's another color...
There is no limitation
Set upon this nation
What is our station
And relationship?
What about the pollution
And the constitution?
What is the purpose
Of this burning branch I grip?
If wishes were horses
Beggars would ride...
The Spin Doctors' "If Wishes Were Horses" is a song that has a dark and cryptic message, and its lyrics are filled with contradictions and double meanings. One interpretation of the song is that it may be a commentary on the world's obsession with money and power, and how it ultimately leads to destruction. The opening lines "The streets are lined with gold, The cheese is full of mold" sets the tone of duality, where the glitter and glamour of wealth is paired with decay and corruption.
The singer then invites the listener to "come into the fold with me," drawing them into the false sense of security of global domination, which sounds exciting to him due to it sparking his imagination. However, he quickly realizes that the price of this would be killing the vegetation and environmentally unsustainable acts, which he prefers against. The second verse goes on to talk about a declining empire, with old wine that is never sweet enough, and too tough to drink. This imagery is reminiscent of the Roman empire, and how it fell due to its excesses and inability to sustain itself. The bridge of the song is also full of contradictions, with the lyrics "Say there's another color, just say it on a bet," suggesting that nothing is ever as it seems and that we are all pawns in someone else's game.
Overall, "If Wishes Were Horses" is a thought-provoking song that highlights the dangers of unchecked greed and power. The song's cryptic lyrics and intricate rhymes make it an insightfully crafted piece of art that speaks to the listener on many levels.
Line by Line Meaning
The streets are lined with gold
This place looks like paradise
The cheese is full of mold
Things aren't always as good as they seem
Oh, come into the fold with me
Join me in my way of thinking
Global domination
Taking over the world
While it sparks my imagination
It's exciting to think about
It kills the vegetation
But it harms the environment
Ain't its not my cup of tea
I'm not interested in that
The stairs are high and winding
It's difficult to make progress
My brother is divining
My sibling has insight
The empire is declining
The power is fading
But the wine is old
The wine has been aging
Its never sweet enough
It's always lacking something
And a little too tough
It's difficult to handle
And they play a bit too rough
They're being too aggressive
And they talk a little bit too cold
They're being too distant
Say there's another color
There could be an alternative
Just say it on a bet
I'll take your word for it
You know its true
I have a feeling it's correct
Though you haven't heard it yet
I don't have proof yet
They're playing it for keeps
They're being serious
Like pieces on a board
Like a game of chess
Welcome to the decline
Things are getting worse
Its going just fine
It's all under control
Its good for the wine
The wine is getting better
And its good for the forces
The power is increasing
You can run but you can't hide
There's no escape
And beggars would ride
Even those who are poor would take their chances
If they had the horses
If they had the means
If wishes were horses
If only things were that easy
The carousel is burning
Things are falling apart
The models eyes are yearning
The beautiful people want more
The tables aren't turning
Things aren't changing
But the lunch is free
At least there's something positive
And its never cheap enough
It's always too expensive
And its always the same stuff
There's no variety
And they forever call your bluff
They never believe you
And forever get their fee
They always take their cut
There is no limitation
Anything is possible
Set upon this nation
Regarding this country
What is our station
What is our position
And relationship?
And how do we relate?
What about the pollution
Environmental concerns
And the constitution?
And the laws of the land?
What is the purpose
What are we trying to achieve
Of this burning branch I grip?
Of this difficult situation I'm in?
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: AARON COMESS, ANTHONY KRIZAN, CHRISTOPHER GROSS, MARK WHITE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind