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
Southern California Line
Steve Wynn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On the 7:35 from Salinas
Didn't hear a sound there was no one else around
He said 'The sky has come between us'.
Are you really sure that now's the time?
Are you ready to be saved
On the Southern California Line?
Bobby made a list of the places he had missed
And the places where he'd been forgotten
Looked upon the list and he tore the list to bits
And he wondered how it turned so rotten
Bobby's last connection was a thought about confession
And a 25-to-life in prison
Took a load of pills, leaned against the windowsill
And waited till his soul had risen
The song "Southern California Line" by Steve Wynn is a story about a man named Bobby who takes a train ride through California. Bobby seems to be lost and disconnected from the world around him, as he rides alone on the 7:35 train from Salinas. He feels like the sky has come between him and everyone else, indicating a sense of separation from society as a whole. The chorus asks if he's ready to be saved on the Southern California Line, suggesting that perhaps he's looking for redemption or a way out of his isolation.
As Bobby travels, he makes a list of the places he's missed and the places where he's been forgotten. He tears the list up in frustration, wondering how his life has turned out this way. Finally, he has a thought about confessing his sins, but instead, he chooses to end his life by taking pills and waiting for his soul to rise.
The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a man who has lost his way and feels disconnected from those around him. The song's haunting melody adds to the sense of sadness and melancholy that permeates the narrative.
Line by Line Meaning
Bobby took a ride on a California night
Bobby took a trip on a dark and gloomy night in California.
On the 7:35 from Salinas
He traveled by train from Salinas at 7:35 pm.
Didn't hear a sound there was no one else around
The place was deserted, and no one was there to make any sound when he traveled.
He said 'The sky has come between us'
The dark and gloomy sky was barricading him in from an external world.
Are you really sure that now's the time?
Is Bobby confident about his decision at that moment?
Are you ready to be saved
Is Bobby ready to let go of the past and start anew?
On the Southern California Line?
Is he willing to take that train to Southern California?
Bobby made a list of the places he had missed
Bobby reminisced the missed opportunities and regrets of the past.
And the places where he'd been forgotten
Bobby remembered the places where he didn't create a permanent moment and faded away from memory.
Looked upon the list and he tore the list to bits
After rethinking, Bobby decided to destroy the list and move on from his regrets.
And he wondered how it turned so rotten
Bobby's thoughts centered upon how his life choices faded away into regrets.
Bobby's last connection was a thought about confession
Bobby's last thought connected him to confess his past transgressions and move on.
And a 25-to-life in prison
Bobby counted on spending most of his life in prison for his past mistakes.
Took a load of pills, leaned against the windowsill
Bobby ingested some pills and leaned on the window pane, anticipating the worst.
And waited till his soul had risen
Ingested pills, Bobby waited to die, hoping his soul would find its solace.
Contributed by Michael J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.