It's said that the musical urge in Kellogg started with a mixture of his dad's records (Cat Stevens/Jim Croce) and his sister's (Mötley Crüe/Bon Jovi). The songwriting of the former and the showmanship of the latter was the beginning of the musical attitude that pervades Kellogg's work today. Kellogg got his start recording and touring while attending the University of Massachusetts Amherst from 1994-1998. He independently released several solo albums before being signed to Universal Records in 2004.
www.stephenkellogg.com
Another Midas Story
Stephen Kellogg Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My words were void of any style
Begged, broken, cheated, even stolen
Thought I'd jump this train and ride a while
You took my mind and blew it open
I hadn't even planned to stay
I'm left here tired and outspoken
Everything that I touch turns to gold
I'm preaching happiness
As my happiness gets old
This house of plenty is all I've known
It confines me though
The way I love this world
It's a shame to ever have to go
It's been too much to get my hands in
Your red wing dreams have worn right through
For me there's no misunderstanding
And I always have believed in you
You took my mind and blew it open
I hadn't even planned to stay
I'm left here tired and outspoken
Not knowing just what to say
The song Another Midas Story by Stephen Kellogg is about the singer's transformation from a broken and disenchanted person to someone who is full of joy and happiness. The song's title is a reference to the Greek mythical figure of King Midas who could turn everything he touched to gold. In the first stanza, the singer describes his life as empty and lacking style, and he feels cheated, broken and stolen. He decides to jump on the train and ride along, which signifies his search for something new and exciting.
In the second stanza, the singer encounters someone who opens up his mind and makes him speak out his thoughts. He doesn't know what to say, but he can no longer contain his feelings. The chorus describes how the singer has found that everything he touches turns to gold, but his happiness is getting old. He is preaching about happiness, but he feels confined in the house of plenty, and he knows it's a shame to have to leave his love for the world behind.
The last stanza talks about how the singer has had trouble getting his hands on something. The reference to "red-winged dreams" signifies some sort of ambition or aspiration that they share. But despite the difficulties, there is no misunderstanding between them, and the singer has always believed in them. The final repetition of the chorus about being left tired and outspoken shows that the singer has grown and changed from his previous self, but he still has a lot to learn and say.
Line by Line Meaning
My days were empty and I'd folded
I was feeling down and out of luck, like I had given up on everything.
My words were void of any style
I couldn't express myself or communicate effectively, it was like I had lost my voice.
Begged, broken, cheated, even stolen
I had experienced a lot of hardship, including begging for help, feeling shattered, being deceived, and even resorting to stealing.
Thought I'd jump this train and ride a while
I felt like I needed to escape my problems and start fresh somewhere else, like taking a trip to clear my mind.
You took my mind and blew it open
You showed me a new perspective on life, something I had never considered before.
I hadn't even planned to stay
I wasn't intending to stay around you for long, but you made me want to stick around because of what you were teaching me.
I'm left here tired and outspoken
I feel tired from all the new knowledge and ideas you've introduced me to, and I can't help but express my opinions about it all.
Not knowing just what I should say
I am struggling to articulate my thoughts and feelings clearly, as I am still processing everything.
Everything that I touch turns to gold
It seems like I have the Midas touch, as everything I do turns out to be successful or profitable.
I'm preaching happiness
I believe in spreading positivity and promoting a happy lifestyle to those around me.
As my happiness gets old
Although I try to maintain a happy outlook, it's become difficult over time to keep up that facade.
This house of plenty is all I've known
I have grown accustomed to a life of abundance and privilege, and it has shaped who I am as a person.
It confines me though
At the same time, this lifestyle has become limiting and constraining, holding me back from true growth and fulfillment.
The way I love this world
I have a deep appreciation for the world around me and all that it has to offer.
It's a shame to ever have to go
I am hesitant to leave this world and all its beauty behind, knowing that I may never experience it again.
It's been too much to get my hands in
I have been overwhelmed by all the responsibilities and tasks I've taken on, and it's become too difficult to manage.
Your red wing dreams have worn right through
Your ambitious goals and aspirations have become tattered and worn down by reality, and it's taken a toll on you.
For me there's no misunderstanding
I understand your struggles and difficulties, as I've experienced similar ones in my life.
And I always have believed in you
Despite the challenges and setbacks, I have never lost faith in your abilities and potential for success.
Contributed by Gabriel G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.