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".
Pretty Baby
Spin Doctors Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is it everything you hoped it'd be
The wrong guy
The wrong situation
The right time to roll to me
Roll to me
Is it aching with some aimless need
Is there something wrong and you can't put your finger on it
Right then
Roll to me
And I don't think I have ever seen a soul so in despair
So if you want to talk the night through
Guess who will be there
So don't try to deny Pretty Baby
You've been down so long
You can hardly see
When the engines stall and it won't stop raining
It's the right time to
Roll to me
Roll to me
Roll to me
And I don't think I have ever seen a soul so in despair
So if you want to talk the night through
Guess who will be there
So look around your world Pretty Baby
Is it everything you hoped it'd be
The wrong guy
The wrong situation
The right time to roll to me
The right time to roll to me
The right time to roll to meeee uuuhhhhhh
In Spin Doctors' song "Pretty Baby," the singer encourages a person to evaluate their life and determine if it is everything they had hoped for. He asks, "Is there something wrong and you can't put your finger on it?" The chorus reassures the listener that they can come to him when they are feeling lost or in despair. He describes a person who is so caught up in their own troubles that they cannot see a way out, and assures them that he will be there for them if they want to talk.
The verse, "When the engines stall and it won't stop raining, it's the right time to roll to me" seems to suggest that the singer is willing to be a safe haven for the listener during difficult times. The "wrong guy" and "wrong situation" is likely a reference to a romantic relationship gone sour. The chorus, "Roll to me" may be interpreted as a plea to the listener to come to him for help, or as an invitation to join him in a romantic relationship.
The song is ultimately about loneliness and the need for human connection. It suggests that even in times of sadness or uncertainty, there is someone out there willing to offer support and a listening ear.
Line by Line Meaning
Look around your world Pretty Baby
Take a good look at your surroundings, dear
Is it everything you hoped it'd be
Does it meet your expectations and fulfill your dreams
The wrong guy
You're with the wrong man
The wrong situation
You're in the wrong scenario
The right time to roll to me
It's the perfect moment to come to me
Roll to me
Come to me
And look into your heart Pretty Baby
Reflect on your emotions, my dear
Is it aching with some aimless need
Do you feel a sense of emptiness without a specific cause
Is there something wrong and you can't put your finger on it
Do you sense that something is off but can't quite identify what it is
Right then
At that very moment
Roll to me
Come to me
And I don't think I have ever seen a soul so in despair
I've never seen someone so sad and hopeless
So if you want to talk the night through
If you need someone to talk to all night long
Guess who will be there
I'll be there for you
So don't try to deny Pretty Baby
Don't pretend, my dear
You've been down so long
You've been feeling low for a while
You can hardly see
It's hard to see a way out
When the engines stall and it won't stop raining
When everything seems to go wrong and there's no end to the trouble
It's the right time to
This is when you need to
Roll to me
Come to me
The right time to roll to me
This is the perfect moment to come to me
The right time to roll to meeee uuuhhhhhh
This is the ideal moment to come to me
Contributed by Christian A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Dima SDV
прикольно, молодцы
David A Bradbury
Send me to RUSSIA !!
Tony Stark
this looks like an old video
Chekasout 1
what do signs say ??
Lefty Pervert Guitar
Del Amitri, чувак
Sam's Piano Page
that's del amitri not spin doctors
Christian Lang
It's clearly Del Amitri.
artnwityr
Rip Off--What? Nobody is wearing an USHANKA?