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
Tears Won't Help
Steve Wynn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Held you down until you liked the view
Strangers on the street, they mock you
Phantoms in your sleep might shock you But I don't want to be the one to hold you down
I don't want to be the one to turn away
I don't want to play wolf when you call
Cause tears won't help at all Oh, Delilah is the message clear?
It's been raining down for years and years
The whiskers they betray the greasepaint But I don't want to be the one to hold you down
An d I don't want to be the one to turn away
I don't wanna be the wolf when you call
Cause tears won't help at all (4 times this line) Oh the answer to my greatest fears
Oh the reason for the wasted years
So in love with your own pain
You stay inside and pray for rain
Where losers always win the game
You fall in love with your own shame But I don't want to be the one to hold you down
I don't want to be the one to turn away
I don't want to be the wolf when you call
Cause tears wo't help at all (all paragraph twice and then last line 4 times)
The lyrics to Steve Wynn's song Tears Won't Help are a poignant reflection on the struggles of a friend or loved one who has been victimized and held captive by their own torment. The first verse hints at the idea that this person has been subjected to some form of abuse, and as a result, they have become trapped in their own cycle of pain and despair. The lyrics suggest that even the people around them, like strangers on the street, have become a source of jeering and ridicule, compounding their already desperate situation.
The second verse of the song seems directed at a person named Delilah, who may represent the embodiment of temptation or a dangerous path to follow. The verses are warning against being seduced by an allure that will only lead to further pain, regret, and wasted years. In this case, the illusion has taken on the guise of a beautiful but deceitful romance, a character named Delilah, whom the singer pleads, 'Is the message clear?'
The closing verse ties the message of the song together, emphasizing the twisted power of one's own pain and shame. The lyrics suggest that this person is trapped in a self-defeating pattern of self-loathing, where even losing or failing to achieve is preferable to confronting the source of their pain or making a change. The song's poignant refrain expresses the singer's desire to comfort and support their friend, but the implication is that they cannot do it alone. The final line reminds us that, ultimately, tears are not enough to heal the wounds inflicted by our own inner demons.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh my friend what have they done to you
What kind of harm have they inflicted on you, my dear friend?
Held you down until you liked the view
They prevented you from escaping until you grew accustomed to the dire situation.
Strangers on the street, they mock you
Random people on the street taunt you without knowing your struggles.
Phantoms in your sleep might shock you
Your dreams are haunted by figments of your imagination that may startle you.
But I don't want to be the one to hold you down
I am not willing to restrain you when you need to break free.
I don't want to be the one to turn away
I don't want to abandon you when you need me by your side.
I don't want to play wolf when you call
I don't want to be the person who takes advantage of you when you are vulnerable.
Cause tears won't help at all
Crying won't alleviate the pain you're feeling.
Oh, Delilah is the message clear?
Do you understand the explicit message, Delilah?
It's been raining down for years and years
The problems have persisted for many years.
Never said I was a saint
I am not claiming to have no flaws or imperfections.
The whiskers they betray the greasepaint
Small details can give away someone's true intentions or feelings.
Oh the answer to my greatest fears
The solution to my deepest fears.
Oh the reason for the wasted years
The explanation for all the time that was spent in vain.
So in love with your own pain
You seem to be infatuated with your own suffering.
You stay inside and pray for rain
You prefer to stay indoors and hope for hardship.
Where losers always win the game
In this environment, the outcome always benefits the underdogs.
You fall in love with your own shame
You become enamored with your own embarrassing or guilt-inducing actions.
Cause tears won't help at all
Crying won't alleviate the pain you're feeling.
Cause tears won't help at all
Crying won't alleviate the pain you're feeling.
Cause tears won't help at all
Crying won't alleviate the pain you're feeling.
Cause tears won't help at all
Crying won't alleviate the pain you're feeling.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: STEVE WYNN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind