A page torn from the dictionary can’t begin to define the spirit of rock and roll exuded by Toronto native Suzie McNeil and her sophomore solo effort, the fittingly titled Rock-n-Roller. Loaded with eleven tracks that run the gamut from the insatiably catchy first single "Let’s Go" to the chugging, break-up ball-buster "Free," Rock-n-Roller is the product of Suzie’s fierce attitude, independent spirit and furious determination to have the voice of a strong woman heard.
"Usually, a woman singing rock has to have an element of strength or balls to her. Are people scared of that? It’s hard to say," Suzie says. "I think a lot of times men especially want women to be soft and gentle, and not all of my songs are like that. But I couldn’t do it any other way."
Co-writing the entire album with long-time musical cohort Marti Frederiksen (Aerosmith, Mötley Crüe), Suzie harnessed the true power behind her voice. Suzie found herself melting through the shyness and vulnerability she had once felt as a songwriter. The result is Rock-n-Roller, an album packed with songs that reveal Suzie to her core as a lover, a fighter and a rocker.
Suzie was the last woman standing on the pressure-filled Rock Star: INXS and has gained a wealth of experience singing back-ups for P!nk, a duet with Clay Aiken, being a featured vocalist on Buckcherry's new release, starring in the Toronto production of We Will Rock You, entertaining the troops in Afghanistan, and being a featured judge on YTV's talent search series: The Next Star.
Suzie’s song Believe has been featured on many network TV series including The Biggest Loser, Beauty & The Geek, The Hills, Oprah Winfrey’s The Big Give, and So You Think You Can Dance Canada. Believe has also been featured in Toronto’s theatre, as well as having been chosen by Bell Canada to be the official 2010 Olympic Inspired song and video. www.bell.ca/believe. Suzie was nominated for a 2008 Canadian Radio Music Award, a 2008 Best New Artist JUNO award, was a featured performer at this year’s Canadian Songwriter’s Hall of Fame Awards, and was just awarded The Canadian Independent Music award’s Favorite Pop Artist/Group of the Year. Suzie attended Lorne Park Secondary School in Mississauga which gave her the foundation to achieve all that she has done.
"I think rock and roll has always remained a pretty genuine, real style of music," she insists. "It’s something that’s been around for years and years and has stood the test of time. You can’t fake rock ‘n’ roll. You can try. But you can’t."
Merry Go Round
Suzie McNeil Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Take my hand and walk with me, talk to me, babe I'm in the dark
Lately you've been acting strange, acting crazy, why did this start?
Sunlight always comes before the rain
and when you lose your disguise, I see that look in your eyes again
I say yes, you say no, it's always stop and then go
Why I'm cryin, if we fight, you should be dryin my eyes
pick me up, push me down get me off this merry go round
and round and round and here we go, round and round and round again
Who'm I going to see today, it's ok I will never leave
what excuses can i make, i can not fake it, i still believe
Sunlight streaming down you wild face
and when you lose the diguise i see that look in your eyes again
Pick me up, push me down, you've got me spinning around
i say yes, you say no, it's always stop and then go
Why I'm crying, if we fight, you should be drying my eyes
pick me up, push me down get me off this merry go round
slow down, we've been turning for too long
slow down, cause I'm barely holding on
and I don't know if i can make it another time around
pick me up, push me down, you've got me spinning around
i say yes, you say no, it's always stop and then go
Why I'm crying, if we fight, you should be drying my eyes
pick me up, push me down get me off this merry go round
Pick me up, push me down, you've got me spinning around
i say yes, you say no, it's always stop and then go
Why I'm crying, if we fight, you should be drying my eyes
pick me up, push me down get me off this merry go round
and round and round and here we go, round and round and round again
"Take my hand and walk with me, talk to me, babe I'm in the dark" - the first line of the song is an invitation to connect with the person listening to the song. It's an invitation for the person to hold onto Suzie McNeil's hand, and walk with her (metaphorically) through the difficult times in their relationship.
"Lately you've been acting strange, acting crazy, why did this start?" - the second line of the song expresses confusion and concern about the changes in the person's behaviour. Suzie McNeil's singing voice is emotional and dynamic, reflecting the turmoil in the relationship.
"Pick me up, push me down, you've got me spinning around
i say yes, you say no, it's always stop and then go" - the chorus of the song repeats the imagery of a "merry go round" to describe the way that the relationship is constantly in motion, but never really getting anywhere. The lyrics describe the back-and-forth nature of a relationship that is fraught with uncertainty and confusion.
The bridge of the song provides a moment of respite from the chaos of the merry go round, as Suzie McNeil sings "slow down, we've been turning for too long / slow down, cause I'm barely holding on / and I don't know if I can make it another time around." This moment of doubt and exhaustion provides a clear contrast to the frenzied energy of the rest of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Take my hand and walk with me, talk to me, babe I'm in the dark
The singer is reaching out to their partner to communicate and provide support, as they feel lost in a difficult situation.
Lately you've been acting strange, acting crazy, why did this start?
The singer is noticing a change in their partner's behavior and is confused about what may have caused it.
Sunlight always comes before the rain
and when you lose your disguise, I see that look in your eyes again
The singer recognizes that difficult times are always followed by better ones, and that they can tell when their partner is not being honest with them by looking into their eyes.
Pick me up, push me down, you've got me spinning around
I say yes, you say no, it's always stop and then go
Why I'm cryin, if we fight, you should be dryin my eyes
pick me up, push me down get me off this merry go round
and round and round and here we go, round and round and round again
The singer is caught in a volatile relationship full of ups and downs that leave them dizzy and crying, and that seems to be going in circles without resolution.
Who'm I going to see today, it's ok I will never leave
what excuses can i make, i can not fake it, i still believe
The artist contemplates their situation and reaffirms their commitment, even though they may not be sure what the future holds or how to navigate it.
slow down, we've been turning for too long
slow down, cause I'm barely holding on
and I don't know if i can make it another time around
Here the singer breaks out of the cycle and pleads with their partner to slow down and give them a chance to catch their breath, as they are not sure if they can handle another round of their tumultuous relationship.
Pick me up, push me down, you've got me spinning around
i say yes, you say no, it's always stop and then go
Why I'm crying, if we fight, you should be drying my eyes
pick me up, push me down get me off this merry go round
The refrain repeats the same sentiment from earlier, highlighting how trapped and helpless the singer feels in their situation.
Contributed by Kylie Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@bigbro44
What a voice!!! I never tire of this song.❤
@canadianfilm101
I've met her in person many times. She's a real class act. Takes the time to genuinely talk with her fans. And very under-appreciated!!
@TheRealDeathmatch
I’m about to surpass this channel in subscribers, that is a symbol of how criminally underrated she is, her voice is that of an angel!!! How does she not have millions and instead a few hundred?????
@bharati1872
Finally, found it.
I'm so happy.
@SonjaPfeffer
Yes she is Canadian...from Toronto
@noahquraishi8096
Sonja Pfeffer
@mabelanntoman-harvey1261
I have ticket I love her
@mabelanntoman-harvey1261
My teacher sending to treatment buying me a pawn with my work money he said adopted child but sponored okay she's cute and I have a job at Spencer's in station mall so can meeting with Holy angles sault ste marie ontario canada go through treatment centers in canada
@StarlightAssassin72
how are there only 40000 views?! suzie deserves a lot more views since she is so talented. There are crappy artists that get millions of views and they can't sing to save their life. cmon ppl, spread the work about suzie and her music because she deserves to be more well known and popular! plus it'll mean she releases more music for us to obsess over<3
@TDouce1
Agreed canadianfilm101. Loved Suzie the first episode of rock star and knew I was hooked then and there. She is an amazing talent. Singer, songwriter and musician. These days not all artists can say that. Totally under appreciated by some and you're tight, I've met her twice and had a bit to eat with her and she is truly genuine. Class act in my books!!!