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".
Off My Line
Spin Doctors Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How to get you off my line
Don't seem all that easy but it
Feels alright
I've gotten rid of expectations
that I used to have
And we don't get along and it really ain't so bad
"This is temporary," is all she said
Someday things may be a little better than before
All these mysteries and they're knocking at my door
Alone in my room
I lay awake and dream
I'm sleeping half awake I got to
Try to explain
That I don't need your love and it
Means this much to me
I don't need your love woman won't you see
Somewhere in between the blue & the red
"This is temporary," is all she said
Someday things may be a little better than before
All these mysteries and they're knocking at my door
She must not realize
What this means to me
I figured out her disguise
Hey, mama, I'm not dreaming
(she's way off reality)
I've been thinking lately
How to get you off my line
Don't seem all that easy but it
Feels alright
I've gotten rid of expectations
That I used to have
And we don't get along and it really ain't so bad
In Spin Doctors's song Off My Line, the singer is contemplating how to detach himself from a relationship that he no longer finds fulfilling. He acknowledges that it won't be an easy task but that it doesn't feel so daunting anymore. He has given up on the expectations that he had from the relationship, and he is okay with the current state where there is no love lost between them. However, he is still grappling with his feelings, and he dreams about breaking away from her. He emphasizes that he doesn't need her love and that it means so much to him.
He remembers her telling him that "this is temporary." But he is not sure if he can hold on until things get better someday. Mysteries keep knocking at his door, reminding him that the future is uncertain. Meanwhile, he accuses her of not realizing the significance of their relationship and her lack of understanding of his feelings. He warns her that he is not dreaming and asks her to stay out of his reality. Eventually, he concludes that getting her off his line is difficult but no longer burdensome.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been thinking lately
I have been pondering about a particular matter recently
How to get you off my line
I am trying to distance myself from you
Don't seem all that easy but it
It is proving difficult to do so but
Feels alright
I am content with how things are going
I've gotten rid of expectations
I have let go of my hopes and desires
that I used to have
that I previously held onto
And we don't get along and it really ain't so bad
Our relationship is not great but I am not too bothered
Somewhere in between the blue & the red
I am feeling lost and unsure
"This is temporary," is all she said
She informed me that this situation is not permanent
Someday things may be a little better than before
Perhaps in the future things will improve slightly
All these mysteries and they're knocking at my door
Various unknowns are making me feel apprehensive
Alone in my room
I am by myself in this place
I lay awake and dream
I am not asleep but my mind is wandering
I'm sleeping half awake I got to
I can only manage to fall half asleep
Try to explain
I attempt to articulate what I am feeling
That I don't need your love and it
I want to make it clear that I do not require your affection
Means this much to me
It is essential for my well-being
I don't need your love woman won't you see
I am pleading with you to understand that your love is not necessary
She must not realize
She seems unaware
What this means to me
How important this is to me
I figured out her disguise
I have seen through her facade
Hey, mama, I'm not dreaming
I want you to know that this is real
(she's way off reality)
She is not in touch with reality
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHN BELL, CHRISTOPHER GROSS, ERIC SCHENKMAN, MARK WHITE, AARON COMESS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind