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
The Angels
Steve Wynn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the angels won't talk to me anymore
On the day that she left, she said it was for the best"she said a person's got to grow. She left all of her friends, she said "everything ends and a person's got to grow." But she couldn't believe, she couldn't hardly conceive that they would take her at her word. Staring at the wall, wishing anyone would call, it all felt so absurd.
And the angels won't talk to me anymore
And the angels won't talk to me anymore
The lyrics to Steve Wynn's song The Angels delve into the themes of loneliness, regret, and the inability to communicate with those who were once close to us. The song tells the stories of three different individuals who find themselves alone and disconnected from everything they once knew. The lyrics speak of a man who left behind a past he was tired of, but now finds himself missing the life he had; a woman who left because she had to grow, but now feels isolated and regretful of her decision; and another man who struggled for years and now finds himself feeling lost and empty.
The line "On the day that he left they placed a ring around his neck so they'd know where he came from" symbolizes the feeling of being trapped in one's past and how it can be difficult to move on. The man is reminded of the place he came from, even though he has moved on from it. The line "But on the third day alone he was waiting by the phone for any familiar voice" highlights the feeling of being alone and isolated after leaving something behind.
Similarly, the line "On the day that she left, she said it was for the best" signifies the idea of having to leave something behind in order to grow. However, as time passes, it becomes clear that the decision was not as easy as it seemed. The line "Staring at the wall, wishing anyone would call, it all felt so absurd" reveals the deep emotions that come with loneliness and feeling cut off from the world.
Finally, the line "On the day that she left he thought he never would regret what he had done" represents the feeling of relief that comes with moving on. However, the line "And he thought about pleading to show how badly he was needing but it was much too late for that" shows the regret that comes from making a final decision.
Overall, The Angels is a poignant song that speaks to the complexities of the human experience, particularly those of loneliness and regret.
Line by Line Meaning
On the day that he left they placed a ring around his neck so they'd know where he came from.
When he left, he was marked like an animal with a ring so people could identify where he belonged to.
He was tired of all the lies and all the shallow ties and he was tired of acting dumb.
He was fed up with telling lies and pretending to be someone he wasn't just to maintain superficial relationships.
But on the third day alone he was waiting by the phone for any familiar voice.
After three days of being alone, he was eagerly waiting for someone he knew to call him just so he could connect with someone again.
And he recalled another day when he wished everyone away but now he didn't have the choice
He remembered a day when he wanted to be alone, but now that he had no one to talk to, he realized he didn't really want to be and had no choice.
And the angels won't talk to me anymore
He feels abandoned and ignored by the angels or a higher power that he believes in.
On the day that she left, she said it was for the best, "she said a person's got to grow.
When she left, she explained that it was necessary for her personal growth and development, even though it was painful.
She left all of her friends, she said "everything ends and a person's got to grow.
She also left all of her friends, emphasizing the need for change and progress in life.
But she couldn't believe, she couldn't hardly conceive that they would take her at her word.
She was surprised that her friends easily accepted her reasons for leaving and didn't try to convince her to stay.
Staring at the wall, wishing anyone would call, it all felt so absurd.
Alone, she felt isolated and disconnected from the world, wishing for someone to talk to and support her through her struggles.
On the day that she left he thought he never would regret what he had done.
When she left, he was confident that he wouldn't regret any of the painful experiences they shared together.
He had struggled for years through frustration and tears and now he didn't need anyone.
For years, he had been through many hardships and challenges, but after surviving them all, he didn't feel the need for anyone to support him anymore.
And he thought about pleading to show how badly he was needing but it was much too late for that.
He considered begging her to come back and show her how much he needed her, but it was too late because she had already moved on and found other people to support her.
Contributed by Kylie P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.