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".
The Man
Spin Doctors Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
An executive received an important phonecall
He said "Yes, sir, I'll do all that I can."
Said "Goodbye," and hung up with the Man
That's the Man
Pulling all the strings
That's the Man
In charge of everything
"I'm tired of working for the Man
For the Man
I'm tired of working for the Man"
Get up, get up, get out of bed...
Another hopeless dawn dawns on the hopeful people
The bell strikes nine up in the steeple
People work hard, doing all they can
Putting money in the bank account of the Man
That's the Man
Pulling all the strings
That's the Man
When the alarm clock rings
And the trumpet sings,
Get up, get up, get out of bed...
"I'm tired of working for the Man
For the Man
I'm tired of working for the Man"
Meanwhile back up in the office
They're making charts to graph the profits
They will work their whole life span
To line the pockets of the Man
That's the Man
Pulling all the strings
That's the Man
In charge of everything
And the trumpet sings,
"I'm tired of working for the Man
For the Man
I'm tired of working for the Man"
Get up, get up,
Get up, get up, get out of bed...
The Spin Doctors' song "The Man" is a commentary on the monotony and frustration experienced by those who toil away in their daily jobs, making money for their bosses who they never meet or know. It speaks to the feeling of being a small cog in a big machine, and feeling powerless to change the system. The song references a man, who is never explicitly named, but is referred to simply as "the Man". The Man is all-knowing, all-powerful, and controls everything, according to the lyrics.
The first verse of the song describes an executive sitting in an office, receiving an important phone call from someone in charge. The executive, eager to please this mysterious figure, agrees to do all that he can. The trumpet in the background plays an upbeat and almost sarcastic tune, as if mocking the singer's eagerness to please the Man. The chorus then states that the singer is "tired of working for the Man," which is then repeated throughout the song. This repeats the fact that the singer is tired and wants out from the shackles of the office, in hopes of something better.
The second verse switches perspective, to the everyday working person. Here, the bell strikes nine, and the hopeful people wake up to another day of hard work, putting money in the bank account of The Man. The chorus is repeated here again. The final verse, again with a change of perspective, returns to the office, where people are making charts and graphs to maximise profits. The people in the office are described as toiling away their entire life to accommodate the whims of the Man, who is always pulling the strings.
Line by Line Meaning
In an office high above us all
There is a person holding a position of power in a place that is not accessible by regular people.
An executive received an important phonecall
A senior level employee received a call that entails great significance to the company.
He said "Yes, sir, I'll do all that I can."
The executive promised that he would do everything he is capable of doing to attend to the matters raised in the call.
Said "Goodbye," and hung up with the Man
After the call, the executive said his farewell and ended the conversation with a person of higher authority, known as the 'Man.'
That's the Man
The 'Man' is someone who is responsible for making important decisions and holding power in the company.
Pulling all the strings
The 'Man' is in control of everything and has the power to manipulate situations and people.
In charge of everything
The 'Man' has the ultimate authority and responsibility over everything that happens in the company.
And the trumpet sings,
The trumpet is a symbol of opposition or rebellion against the 'Man.'
"I'm tired of working for the Man
The artist is tired of working for someone who holds more power and control over them.
For the Man
The artist is specifically tired of working for the 'Man', who holds the most prominent position of power in the company.
Get up, get up, get out of bed...
This is a call to action, urging people to stand up and take action against the power dynamic in the company.
Another hopeless dawn dawns on the hopeful people
People feel trapped in their current situation and hopeless about making real progress.
The bell strikes nine up in the steeple
It is 9am and time to start another workday.
People work hard, doing all they can
Despite feeling hopeless, people are still working hard to make ends meet.
Putting money in the bank account of the Man
All of their hard work is ultimately benefiting the 'Man', who profits from their labor.
When the alarm clock rings
This is a signal that it is time to start another day of working for the 'Man.'
Meanwhile back up in the office
Shifting focus back to the executive in charge.
They're making charts to graph the profits
The executive is focused on making money for the company and increasing its profit margins.
They will work their whole life span
The employees are expected to dedicate their entire lives to working for the company.
To line the pockets of the Man
Their labor is primarily serving the financial interests of the 'Man.'
Get up, get up,
This call to action is repeated, emphasizing the need for people to stand up against the power dynamics in the company.
Get up, get up, get out of bed...
The repetition of this call to action emphasizes the urgency for people to take action.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: COMESS, GROSS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind