Lukather made himself famous by being the most sought-after session guitarist in LA in the 70s and 80s. He would walk into a studio last minute and lay down perfect tracks the first time, in whatever style required.
Known to his friends as "Luke" he still records and tours with Toto (2005) and continues to be an in-demand studio player and producer.
Influenced by the blues-rock pioneers such as Hendrix, and Jimmy Page, jazz guitarists such as Larry Carlton, and funk/fusion virtuosos such as Al Di Meola, Lukather's style is unique. He is known for fast, melodic, yet bluesy lines. His vibrato is very pronounced and steady. In interviews, he explains how he thinks of the guitar in a 'chordal cluster' format, and not the typical linear 'scale format'.
In addition to the high level of ability Steve Lukather has developed over the years, he also has built one of the largest effects rack of any rock guitarist. His tone is very 'signature', with a smooth overdrive/distortion, deep stereo delay, and all sorts of various effects on tap.
JUDGEMENT DAY
Steve Lukather Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My mind is racing faster
Than the speed of light
The Sands Of Time. My human crimes
The time i spend reflecting
All the wrongs in life
Take another look inside
Those teeny cobalt eyes
Your tiny fingers dancing
On your keys og hate
The tables run. What have you learned
Hope you're feelin' better
In your altered state
We can read the lies you write
For all the world to see
The reflection in the mirror
Shows it's you. But you blame me
Jump back. Turn around
You realize you're running
From your history
Ten days. A million years
It doesn't really matter
To me anyway
Push shove
Blame the world
Jump the ship
Ya can't run far enough away
The sky turnes from blue into grey
It's Judgment Day
Five A.M. It's you again
Forgetting that the words you wrote
Have crossed the world
You wipe your eyes and shake your head
The only thing that matters
Is the hate you hurled
You should take the time
To realize the pain inside
Take a look at your life
Instead of trying to tear at mine
The sky turn to grey
It's Judgment Day
The lyrics to Steve Lukather's song Judgement Day are intense and dark. They explore themes such as self-reflection, guilt, regret, and the hopelessness that comes with the realization that one has done something wrong. The song begins with the singer struggling with racing thoughts at 2 A.M. The Sands of Time are a metaphor for the choices and mistakes in one's life. The singer reflects on the wrongs they have done and judges themselves harshly for it. They then turn their attention towards someone else, calling them out for their hateful words and behavior, which they see as a projection of their own insecurities and self-loathing.
The singer warns the person to take responsibility for their actions and to see how they're tearing apart their own life with their hate. The lyrics "Jump back. Turn around. You realize you're running from your history" show how the person is trying to escape their past mistakes, but they can't outrun them. The song ends with the same image it began with, that of Judgement Day. The sky turns grey as the singer faces the consequences of their actions.
Overall, the lyrics to Judgement Day paint a dark and introspective picture of how we can sometimes be our worst enemies. It's a warning to take responsibility for our actions and to strive towards self-improvement.
Line by Line Meaning
Two A.M. it's e again
It's in the middle of the night and I'm awake, consumed by my thoughts.
My mind is racing faster
My thoughts are going faster than I can keep up with or control.
Than the speed of light
My thoughts are racing so fast, it's as if they're moving at the speed of light.
The Sands Of Time. My human crimes
I'm reflecting on my actions and mistakes over time.
The time i spend reflecting
I'm taking the time to think about my past and evaluate my choices.
All the wrongs in life
I'm thinking about all the mistakes I've made and the people I've hurt along the way.
Take another look inside
I'm acknowledging the importance of self-reflection and introspection.
Those teeny cobalt eyes
I'm referring to someone else's small and narrow-minded worldview.
It finally hits. You're full of shit
I've come to the realization that the other person's perspective is flawed and unfounded.
Your tiny fingers dancing
I'm mocking the other person's typing or keyboard skills, suggesting that they're insignificant compared to their hateful words.
On your keys og hate
I'm saying that the other person's keyboard and online presence is used to spread negativity and hate towards others.
The tables run. What have you learned
I'm asking the other person what they've gained from their hate-filled arguments and negativity.
Hope you're feelin' better
I'm being sarcastic, implying that the other person probably doesn't feel better at all.
In your altered state
I'm suggesting that the other person is not in a clear or rational state of mind.
We can read the lies you write
I'm pointing out that the other person's words and arguments are not truthful or accurate.
For all the world to see
I'm suggesting that the other person's words and actions are visible and public, and can be seen by anyone.
The reflection in the mirror
I'm bringing attention to the fact that the other person needs to take a look at their own flaws and mistakes, instead of blaming others.
Shows it's you. But you blame me
I'm saying that the other person's issues and problems are a result of their own actions and choices, yet they try to shift the blame onto me.
Jump back. Turn around
I'm using these phrases as commands or suggestions to the other person, urging them to take a step back and reevaluate their actions and mindset.
You realize you're running
I'm suggesting that the other person is constantly trying to escape from their problems or mistakes, rather than facing them head-on.
From your history
I'm saying that the other person is trying to run from their past and the negative consequences of their actions.
Ten days. A million years
I'm suggesting that time is subjective, and that even though ten days may seem like a short period of time, it can still feel like a million years when you're struggling with your mistakes.
It doesn't really matter
I'm saying that the passage of time is not the important or relevant factor in dealing with one's mistakes and flaws.
To me anyway
I'm implying that the most important person in this scenario is myself, and that I need to focus on my own growth and self-improvement, rather than worrying about the other person's mistakes.
Push shove
I'm using these phrases as a way to describe the other person's aggressive and confrontational behavior.
Blame the world
I'm saying that the other person is quick to blame external factors and people for their problems and mistakes, rather than taking responsibility themselves.
Jump the ship
I'm suggesting that the other person is constantly trying to escape from their problems or situations, rather than facing them head-on.
Ya can't run far enough away
I'm saying that no matter how far the other person tries to go or how much they try to escape, their problems and flaws will still follow them.
The sky turnes from blue into grey
I'm implying that there is a sense of impending doom or negativity, as represented by the change in the sky's color.
It's Judgment Day
I'm suggesting that there will come a time when the other person will have to face the consequences of their actions and choices, as Judgment Day is often associated with the end of the world or the end of a person's life.
Five A.M. It's you again
The other person is back again, likely after another round of hateful or negative behavior.
Forgetting that the words you wrote
I'm saying that the other person seems to forget the impact that their words can have, as evidenced by their continued negative behavior.
Have crossed the world
I'm suggesting that the other person's words and actions have spread beyond their immediate sphere of influence, and have the potential to harm countless others.
You wipe your eyes and shake your head
I'm suggesting that the other person is trying to shake off the effects of their negativity and hate, or perhaps trying to feign innocence or ignorance.
The only thing that matters
I'm implying that the other person is obsessively focused on their own perspective and actions, rather than thinking about how it impacts others.
Is the hate you hurled
I'm saying that the other person's main contribution to the world is their hateful and negative behavior, which is ultimately harmful to themselves and others.
You should take the time
I'm offering advice to the other person, suggesting that they need to take a step back and think about their own flaws and mistakes, rather than constantly blaming others.
To realize the pain inside
I'm saying that the other person needs to come to terms with their own emotional pain and trauma, which is likely the root cause of their negative behavior.
Take a look at your life
I'm urging the other person to engage in self-reflection and introspection, to try to improve their own life instead of tearing down others.
Instead of trying to tear at mine
I'm saying that the other person needs to focus on their own issues and problems, rather than constantly trying to attack and harm me.
It's Judgment Day
I'm repeating this phrase to reinforce the idea that eventually, the other person will have to take responsibility for their behavior and face the consequences.
Writer(s): Steven Lee Lukather, Jeffrey Lynn Vanston Copyright: Monkeyfactory O.B.O. King Brill Music
Contributed by Penelope F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.