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
Killing Time
Steve Wynn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Always talking
Under the assumption that I'd care
Nothing could be further from my mind
We were always
Always searching
Under the assumption that it was there
Turn around and I'll be hard to find
And it gets harder and harder every day
Things we never do and never say
We just go on talking to keep from crying
You say you're killing me
We're just killing time
We were always reconciling
Under the assumption
That it was right
Goes to show how wrong it really can be
We were always
Always trying
Under the assumption we saw the light
All these stupid things that I never could see
[Repeat x2]
And it gets harder and harder every day
Things we never do and never say
We just go on talking to keep from crying
You say you're killing me
We're just killing time
And it gets harder and harder every day
Little things they just get in the way
We just start out loving and end up lying
You say you're killing me
We're just killing time
You say you're killing me
We're just killing time
The song Killing Time by Steve Wynn is a poignant commentary on a failing relationship. The lyrics suggest that the two people involved are simply going through the motions, talking and reconciling under false assumptions. The singer implies that he no longer cares about the relationship, and that it is time for them to move on, though he feels that they are just killing time.
The repetition of the phrase 'we were always' creates a sense of routine, of doing the same thing over and over, without any real change. The tone of the lyrics is melancholy, with the singer reflecting on the futility of their efforts to keep the relationship alive. The line 'Turn around and I'll be hard to find' suggests that he is ready to move on, and that he will not be there for much longer.
The chorus reinforces this sense of hopelessness, with the singer lamenting the things they don't do or say, and how they just keep talking to avoid the sadness of the situation. The relationship is killing time, rather than bringing them any real joy or fulfillment, and the singer feels that it is time for them to stop.
Overall, Killing Time is a powerful reflection on the difficulty of letting go of a relationship that is no longer working. The singer's sense of resignation is palpable, making the song a memorable and moving portrayal of emotional struggle.
Line by Line Meaning
We were always
We had a tendency to be
Always talking
Having conversations frequently
Under the assumption that I'd care
Assuming that what was said would interest me
Nothing could be further from my mind
I didn't have any interest in the topics discussed
We were always
We had a tendency to be
Always searching
Searching for something, never at ease
Under the assumption that it was there
Believing that there is something to be found
Turn around and I'll be hard to find
I don't want to be caught in pointless searches
And it gets harder and harder every day
It's getting more challenging to endure daily life
Things we never do and never say
Things that remain unsaid and undone
We just go on talking to keep from crying
Chatting to hide expressions of frustration
You say you're killing me
You think you're causing me issues
We're just killing time
We're merely wasting our time
We were always reconciling
We've always tried to fix our issues
Under the assumption
Assuming things will be put right by talking
That it was right
That our actions were morally acceptable
Goes to show how wrong it really can be
Demonstrates how mistaken we were
We were always
We had a tendency to be
Always trying
Always attempting to accomplish something
Under the assumption we saw the light
Assuming we had knowledge we could apply
All these stupid things that I never could see
Things that were clear but we never acknowledged
And it gets harder and harder every day
Becomes more difficult to handle day by day
Little things they just get in the way
Minor issues that disrupt our plans
We just start out loving and end up lying
We begin with pure intentions but they turn to falsehoods
You say you're killing me
You think you're causing me issues
We're just killing time
We're merely wasting our time
You say you're killing me
You think you're causing me issues
We're just killing time
We're merely wasting our time
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: STEVE WYNN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind