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
Let's Leave It Like That
Steve Wynn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Always gotta know when good enough is good enough
Don't take a shine to too much gloss
Gotta keep it cheap whatever the cost
Let's leave it like that
Always kinda liked to go and leave it all to chance
Place myself in a see-what-happens stance
Wait for a clue to see just how you feel
Let's leave it like that
The random life's been good to me
You don't look past what you don't want to see
The easy way will set you free, oh yeah
Let's leave it like that
The end of the world's gonna be a mighty thing
I'm gonna like the part where the angels start to sing
And when I read about it in the Times the next day
There won't a whole lot more I'll want to say
Let's leave it like that
The song "Let's Leave It Like That" by Steve Wynn is a reflective and contemplative piece about living life in a certain way- taking risks, being spontaneous and shunning conformity. The lyrics reveal a complex and nuanced understanding of the nature of life and the role that chance plays in shaping one's experiences. The lines "Always kinda liked to go and leave it all to chance/ You roll the dice, you spin the wheel/ Wait for a clue to see just how you feel" suggest a willingness to take whatever life throws their way and to embrace uncertainty. However, this spontaneity is tempered by a pragmatic streak, as Champagne Sally's advice to "gotta keep it cheap whatever the cost" reflects a certain groundedness and awareness of limitations.
Besides, the song suggests that living life on one's terms, whether it's risky and spontaneous or measured and grounded, can lead to personal growth and liberation. The line "The easy way will set you free, oh yeah" is a kind of mantra for those who are not looking for an easy way out but rather seek to make their own way in the world, regardless of the challenges that come their way. The song concludes with an acknowledgment of the transience and fragility of life- the end of the world will be a "mighty thing", but ultimately, it's better to cherish the moments we have and "leave it like that".
Line by Line Meaning
Champagne Sally said 'I kinda like it rough
Champagne Sally expressed her liking for things to be a little rough.
Always gotta know when good enough is good enough
One should always recognize when something is just right and doesn't need to be altered.
Don't take a shine to too much gloss
One should avoid becoming too enamored with an overly polished and artificial appearance.
Gotta keep it cheap whatever the cost
It's important to prioritize staying within budget over any other concerns.
Let's leave it like that
We should avoid meddling with what is already good enough.
Always kinda liked to go and leave it all to chance
The singer enjoys taking risks and letting life unfold however it may.
Place myself in a see-what-happens stance
The singer adopts a passive attitude and is content to let events unfold on their own.
You roll the dice, you spin the wheel
Life is often uncertain and unpredictable, like a game of chance.
Wait for a clue to see just how you feel
The artist takes a cue from circumstances to determine their emotional response.
The random life's been good to me
The artist has had positive experiences despite the unpredictability of life.
You don't look past what you don't want to see
One can choose to ignore unpleasant or unwanted aspects of life.
The easy way will set you free, oh yeah
It's often easier to take a laissez-faire approach to life and let things happen organically.
The end of the world's gonna be a mighty thing
The singer anticipates that the apocalypse will be a significant and awe-inspiring event.
I'm gonna like the part where the angels start to sing
The singer is looking forward to the perceived reward that follows the apocalypse.
And when I read about it in the Times the next day
The singer imagines experiencing the apocalypse through secondhand accounts.
There won't a whole lot more I'll want to say
The artist will be content with the aftermath of the apocalypse, with no need for further explanation or reflection.
Let's leave it like that
The artist asserts that the end of the world is one thing we shouldn't meddle with.
Contributed by Bella M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.