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".
Sweet Widow
Spin Doctors Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Star-like glimpse upon the weeping leaves
Rest yourself my weeping widow
With the your news of grave defeat
With the shafts of each fraction
Beneath your head in rays of hair
Fire hand the mango nectar
And the news is good
Sleep oh,
Sleep oh,
Lay down your head and sleep oh, sleep
Lay down your head and
Across these fields of amber grain
Never that we've reached the dawn
You whispered that your vows to him
Were crushed as the shafts we played upon
Then came the news, I knew it'd come
It was a cruel and clever thief
Devised this cunning tragedy
Stole you for me to love sweetpea
Sleep oh,
Sleep oh,
Lay down your head and sleep oh, sleep
Lay down your head and
(repeat above verse and chorus)
The lyrics of "Sweet Widow" by Spin Doctors are full of poetic imagery, which helps to convey a sense of melancholy and loss. The song seems to be about someone who is trying to comfort a woman who has recently suffered a devastating loss, possibly the death of her husband or partner. The singer tries to soothe her with words of encouragement, telling her to rest and reminding her that there is beauty in the world, even in the midst of sorrow.
The "zephyr through the awning shadow" and "star-like glimpse upon the weeping leaves" evoke a sense of the beauty of nature, while the "shafts of each fraction" may refer to the arrows of fate that have wounded the woman. The lines "fire hand the mango nectar" and "the news is good" suggest that the singer is trying to bring some sweetness and hope into her life, perhaps by bringing her a refreshing drink and sharing positive news.
The second part of the song describes how the woman confided in the singer about her broken vows and how her heart was stolen by someone else, possibly the singer himself. The singer acknowledges that he knew the news would come but seems to suggest that he did not expect it to happen so soon or to bring such tragedy. He sees himself as the "cruel and clever thief" who has taken the woman for himself, but he also promises to love her and calls her "sweetpea."
Overall, the lyrics of "Sweet Widow" are open to interpretation and leave many questions unanswered. Is the singer a sympathetic figure or a manipulative one? Has the woman truly found solace in his arms, or is he simply taking advantage of her vulnerability? The song leaves these issues unresolved, inviting the listener to draw their conclusions.
Line by Line Meaning
Zephyr through the awning shadow
A gentle breeze blows through the shade created by the tent
Star-like glimpse upon the weeping leaves
Stars can be seen shining brightly through the trees with leaves that appear to be crying
Rest yourself my weeping widow
Take some time to relax, dear widow who is crying
With the your news of grave defeat
With the devastating news that you have lost, the battle has ended
With the shafts of each fraction
With every minor disagreement
Beneath your head in rays of hair
Your hair falls over your head like a sunbeam
Fire hand the mango nectar
Pass me the sweet drink made from tropical fruit
And the news is good
I have received some encouraging news
Sleep oh,
Go to sleep, oh,
Sleep oh,
Go to sleep, oh,
Lay down your head and sleep oh, sleep
Put your head down and go to sleep
Lay down your head and
Put your head down and
Across these fields of amber grain
Through the golden fields of wheat
Never that we've reached the dawn
We have not yet arrived at the daybreak
You whispered that your vows to him
You whispered that you had made promises to him
Were crushed as the shafts we played upon
Were broken like the arrows we used to play with
Then came the news, I knew it'd come
Then the news arrived, and I had anticipated it
It was a cruel and clever thief
An intelligent and malicious thief was responsible
Devised this cunning tragedy
This disastrous plan was carefully thought out
Stole you for me to love sweetpea
This thief took you away so that I could love and care for you, dear one
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: COMESS, GROSS, SCHENKMAN, WHITE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@fastfolky
This was always my song of this album
@frodemagnebuksrud6628
Such a good band.
@chuckhowe123
That bass solo.... So good.
@Guillermohistoriador999
Today 9 march of 2022It´s my birthday and i am listening this song with my friend Alexander.
@alejandrovera2064
and we had a blast. Abrazo amigo te quiero. Alegría.
@Yadeehoo
Thank you thank you !!
@Picnicl
I adore Sweet Widow! The Spin Doctors are like some mash up of an all American band and, at 2:59 medieval lullaby players! Bluesy, funky, sensitive.
@Bardamu3000
Epic. Golden. Memories.
@GoodNewsJim
2000+ sux culturally since everything is political and sympathizing with people who aren't persecuted, yet persecute others.
@Guillermohistoriador999
I need more 2022 comments!