My Dark Hour
Steve Miller Band Lyrics
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My dark hour, you know it's drivin' me wild
Well, well, I went to see the doctor
And I had my fortune read
And you know the doctor told me
Son you better stay in bed
Looks like he's carryin' a heavy load
{??} and he started to say
Want to come with me on my way
My dark hour, mother nature's child
My dark hour, oh, it's drivin' me wild
Well, I went to see the doctor
Just to have my fortune read
Well, well, well, well, well, the doctor told me
Son you better stay in bed
So do you think these sinners will fall
Or do you think they'll survive us all
Well, well, well, well down this road
Won't you help me carry my load
My dark hour, mother nature's child
My dark hour, oh, it's drivin' me wild
"My Dark Hour" by Steve Miller Band is about the singer's struggle with depression and his search for help and guidance. The lyrics suggest that the singer has consulted a doctor and even had his fortune read, but he is still haunted by his inner demons. He is in a state of despair and confusion as he watches the world go by. He encounters a man on the road who invites him to go with him, but the singer is unsure if this will make things better or worse. He questions if humanity will survive its sins or if it will be consumed by them.
The repeated line "My dark hour, mother nature's child" is a reference to the singer's feeling of being a part of nature but also a victim to it. He sees himself as an extension of the natural world and its cycles, which can be beautiful but also destructive. The line "you know it's drivin' me wild" represents the turmoil and chaos he is experiencing, which is affecting him both mentally and physically. The singer is searching for answers but is uncertain about where to find them or if he will find them at all.
Overall, "My Dark Hour" is a raw and introspective account of someone struggling with their mental health. The lyrics are a reflection of the inner turmoil and hopelessness that comes with depression, but they also convey a search for meaning and understanding. The song ends without a clear resolution, leaving the listener with a sense of uncertainty.
Line by Line Meaning
My dark hour
I am going through a difficult time.
My dark hour, you know it's drivin' me wild
This difficult time is affecting me greatly.
Well, well, I went to see the doctor
I sought help for my troubles.
And I had my fortune read
I looked for hope in predictions of the future.
And you know the doctor told me
The help I received was not comforting.
Son you better stay in bed
The doctor advised me to rest and stay put.
Who's that comin' down that road
Someone unexpected is approaching.
Looks like he's carryin' a heavy load
This person appears burdened or troubled.
{??} and he started to say
This person spoke to me.
Want to come with me on my way
They invited me on a journey or path.
My dark hour, mother nature's child
The difficult time is a natural part of life.
My dark hour, oh, it's drivin' me wild
I am struggling to cope with the hardship.
So do you think these sinners will fall
I am questioning the fate of those who have done wrong.
Or do you think they'll survive us all
I am questioning the outcome of their actions on humanity.
Well, well, well, well down this road
As we journey through life.
Won't you help me carry my load
I ask for support or assistance to make it through this difficult time.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: STEVE MILLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Nahuel Martínez
That's the story I knew! But check this out from the Flaming Pie Archive Release book:
Steve Miller says he does remember some of that, but the effects of it doesn't seem as pronounced to him as they are in MccCartney's memory.
"I didn't see him as needing to blow off steam. He came in and he was just Paul, like he always is - very generous
and polite and very friendly. He sat down at the upright piano and started playing "Lady Madonna", and I was just going , "God, this is great, it's like he's
from New Orleans or someting - this is the real deal". That was how it started: Him playing the piano, and we're just talking
and having fun, and I picked up Lennon's Casino guitar and started playing it through the amp'.
When they showed Steve's recollection of that night to Paul in 2019, he said "He's probably right".
They jammed with George hours before recording My Dark Hour while waiting for a Beatle session to start, and apparently that's where Steve came up with the riff. So they recorded it that same night.
So the story we knew might just be one of Paul's modified-through-time stories. Though he DOES seem to be "letting it all out" on drums and vocals.
Nahuel Martínez
That's the story I knew! But check this out from the Flaming Pie Archive Release book:
Steve Miller says he does remember some of that, but the effects of it doesn't seem as pronounced to him as they are in MccCartney's memory.
"I didn't see him as needing to blow off steam. He came in and he was just Paul, like he always is - very generous
and polite and very friendly. He sat down at the upright piano and started playing "Lady Madonna", and I was just going , "God, this is great, it's like he's
from New Orleans or someting - this is the real deal". That was how it started: Him playing the piano, and we're just talking
and having fun, and I picked up Lennon's Casino guitar and started playing it through the amp'.
When they showed Steve's recollection of that night to Paul in 2019, he said "He's probably right".
They jammed with George hours before recording My Dark Hour while waiting for a Beatle session to start, and apparently that's where Steve came up with the riff. So they recorded it that same night.
So the story we knew might just be one of Paul's modified-through-time stories.
Though he DOES seem to be "letting it all out" on drums and vocals. Great performance.
Vajra Pani
Paul McCartney recorded drums, bass guitar, backing vocals and guitar to the track. Miller sang and performed all the other instruments.
True fact!
michavandam
@Bitshitter Thank you for some f a c t s .
Bitshitter
@Todd Jennings according to McCartney in multiple interviews, it was the other members who had left after an exceptionally heated tiff regarding a contract signing. McCartney was left all by himself, and Miller was meeting with Glyn Johns that night who was producing Miller's 'Brave New World' album at Olympic Studios. Miller listened to McCartney vent his frustrations over the argument, and both decided to jam together, and basically came up with the song on the fly, with Johns recording it in the studio. It was added to Miller's 'Brave new World' album.....
The guitar riff at the beginning of this song is very familiar - it was also used as the opening riff for Miller's 'Fly Like an Eagle' hit many years later.....
Sebo Digital
@Cliff Note the "conspiracy theory" people. Lol. Pathetic! 🤣🤣
Iván Omer Villalobos Villalobos
Right...
Patrick Murray
@Todd Jennings not quite. The memo didn't get out there was a recording session and only Paul showed up so he joined Steve Miller instead.
THE CLARENCES
Totally tubular to the max! Paul McCartney is singing backing vocals and playing guitar, bass and drums! This was recorded the same night Paul had a huge fight with John, George & Ringo over Allen Klein. The 3 of them stormed out and Paul stayed behind. He ran into Steve and they decided to record this track.
psy-kylo-gy
@Nahuel Martínez I think it shows character that Paul was accommodating and a gentleman to his fellow musician even though he remembers feeling stressed and angry about the Beatles argument but kept it inside.
THE CLARENCES
@Nahuel Martínez Thanks for the info!!! Much appreciated!!! xoxo The Clarences
Nahuel Martínez
That's the story I knew! But check this out from the Flaming Pie Archive Release book:
Steve Miller says he does remember some of that, but the effects of it doesn't seem as pronounced to him as they are in MccCartney's memory.
"I didn't see him as needing to blow off steam. He came in and he was just Paul, like he always is - very generous
and polite and very friendly. He sat down at the upright piano and started playing "Lady Madonna", and I was just going , "God, this is great, it's like he's
from New Orleans or someting - this is the real deal". That was how it started: Him playing the piano, and we're just talking
and having fun, and I picked up Lennon's Casino guitar and started playing it through the amp'.
When they showed Steve's recollection of that night to Paul in 2019, he said "He's probably right".
They jammed with George hours before recording My Dark Hour while waiting for a Beatle session to start, and apparently that's where Steve came up with the riff. So they recorded it that same night.
So the story we knew might just be one of Paul's modified-through-time stories. Though he DOES seem to be "letting it all out" on drums and vocals.