Before forming the Dream Syndicate, Wynn played guitar in the Davis, California-based band The Suspects, whose members included vocalist Kendra Smith (who later played bass in the Dream Syndicate) and Russ Tolman and Gavin Blair (who would form True West (band)); in 1979 they released a single, "It's Up to You" b/w "Talking Loud." Two years later, under the name 15 Minutes, he self-released another single, "Last Chance for You" b/w "That's What You Always Say" (later performed by the Dream Syndicate), which owed much to Joy Division.
Though they were popular with critics, an influence on other musicians, and signed briefly to a major label, The Dream Syndicate were never really commercially successful. They did establish, however, the fan base on which Wynn built his solo career.
Since 1990, Wynn has released a number of albums exploring various musical styles. His first solo album, Kerosene Man, included backing work by bassist Fernando Saunders (a frequent sideman of Lou Reed, to whom Wynn was often compared early in his career), drummer D.J. Bonebrake from the L.A. punk band X, Howe Gelb of Giant Sand and saxophonist Steve Berlin from Los Lobos. Peter Buck, from R.E.M., played on its follow-up, Dazzling Display, and co-wrote the title song. Backing on Melting in the Dark (1996) was provided by the Boston band Come.
Here Come the Miracles (2001) was his best-selling solo album to date, and the best-reviewed, appearing at year's end on numerous critical Top Ten lists.
In 1985, Wynn wrote a collection of songs with Dan Stuart of Green on Red, and recorded and released them as Danny and Dusty. This collaboration was revisited in 2007 for a second Danny & Dusty album. In the '90s he was a part of the indie supergroup Gutterball along with Stephen McCarthy of The Long Ryders and Brian Harvey and Johnny Hott of House of Freaks. In 2008 Wynn and his wife Linda Pitmon collaborated with Scott McCaughey (The Minus 5) and Peter Buck (R.E.M., The Minus 5) for a record with songs about legendary baseball players - this collaboration is known as The Baseball Project.
The double CD From a Man of Mysteries: A Steve Wynn Tribute was released by the German label Blue Rose in 2004 and features Wynn's songs performed by the likes of Concrete Blonde, the Silos, Chuck Prophet, The Minus 5 and others.
Wynn also records as Steve Wynn & The Miracle 3.
Wynn is at present more popular in Europe than in the United States. While domestic tours are rare, he continues to perform regularly overseas.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Wynn_%28songwriter%29
Blackout
Steve Wynn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I dare to step away from the foot of my bed
Got a lot of things to learn this morning.
Show me the way to the witness stand
And you can read the lines from the palm of my hand
Got a lot of things to learn this morning
when I lay it on the line
Separate the truth from the alibis
The blood dripping slowly from the back of my eyes
Got a lot of things to learn this morning
Bloodstains linger on a cotton shirt
Cars lining up outside in the dirt
Got a lot of things to learn this morning
The song Blackout is a hauntingly beautiful and introspective piece of music that delves deep into the psyche of the singer who seems to be struggling with a lot of things. The lyrics paint a picture of someone who is seeking refuge from the world and is in search of a place to hide their head. They talk about the struggles of stepping away from their bed and the multitude of things they need to learn.
The image of the witness stand is a powerful one, and the singer seems to be asking for guidance in navigating through their issues. The lines from the palm of their hand are often used in fortune-telling, and it seems that the singer is placing their faith in the wisdom of the universe to help them find their way.
The final lines of the song are poignant and heartbreaking. The image of blood dripping slowly from the back of their eyes is a powerful one, and it seems as if the singer is struggling with some deep-seated pain. The bloodstains on the cotton shirt and the cars lining up outside in the dirt lend a sense of urgency to the entire song, and it feels as if the singer is in the midst of some difficult situation that they desperately need to extricate themselves from.
Line by Line Meaning
Find me a place where I can hide my head
Help me find a safe place to escape from my troubles
When I dare to step away from the foot of my bed
When I finally gather enough courage to face my problems
Got a lot of things to learn this morning.
I have a lot of new experiences to gain and insights to acquire
Show me the way to the witness stand
Guide me to confront the truth and face the consequences of my actions
And you can read the lines from the palm of my hand
You can tell my future or fate from the markings on my hand
Any other day would be fine
I wish this day could be like any other normal day without any chaos or problems
when I lay it on the line
When I speak the truth boldly and transparently
Separate the truth from the alibis
Distinguish between the reality and the excuses I make for my mistakes
The blood dripping slowly from the back of my eyes
I am enduring a lot of pain and suffering, and it's evident from my tears
Got a lot of things to learn this morning
I still have a lot to figure out and grasp about life
Bloodstains linger on a cotton shirt
I cannot hide the evidence of past troubles and trauma
Cars lining up outside in the dirt
Even though I'm struggling with my problems, the world keeps spinning without a care
Got a lot of things to learn this morning
Every day is a challenge, and there's always something new to discover and understand
Contributed by Ruby P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.