In 1995, songwriter/producer and representative for Atlantic Records Matt Serletic approached the members of Tabitha's Secret concerning a long-term record deal. However, Serletic was more interested in helping Thomas find his voice than he was in the band Tabitha's Secret. Jay Stanley and John Goff were uninterested in a long-term record deal, believing it was better to sign for a one-record deal and evaluate the situation following this record's release. Thomas, however, felt the band should take the offer.
The fact that Stanley and Goff were resistant to sign, alongside pressure from the record company to drop the two guitar players, Thomas, Yale, and Doucette decided it was best to part ways with the other members of the band. Splitting the band landed Thomas, Yale, and Doucette a two-record deal with Atlantic Records, which was later renewed. With their two guitar players gone, Atlantic introduced the trio to Adam Gaynor, a rhythm guitarist and Kyle Cook, a lead guitarist. The five now comprise Matchbox Twenty, a world-renowned band.
When Matchbox Twenty debuted its first album Yourself or Someone Like You, Jay Stanley sued for royalties, claiming he owned the rights to the song 3am which appeared on the newly released record. Stanley stated that he was paid for the original recording sessions of the song when it was performed by Tabitha's Secret (it's released on multiple albums by Tabitha's Secret). This lawsuit lasted five years and was settled in 2000.
Although the band never released any records while they were together, Jay Stanley released three albums after getting the rights to the recordings of Tabitha's Secret. He released a rough demo mix, "Don't Play With Matches" in 1998, to satisfy the hard-core fans and the "Live" record in 2000. Later, Stanley joined with Tony Miceli and engineer George Spatta to re-mix, re-master, and overdub the original recordings and put them into the album "Tabitha's Secret?" which was released in late 2001.
Paint Me Blue
Tabitha's Secret Lyrics
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I think I saw some happy people yesterday and that'll never do
There's never too much violence, ain't it time we had a war
You leave on your shirt and I'll be skins, and we'll go flying through the door
These are violent times, and I only want to do my part
To sink to hatreds depths, and smile at what we've all become
To help me with my troubles, and what to do's
I don't feel no raging, there ain't nothing new
Drop me in the ocean, and paint me blue
I don't have a worry, I don't have a care
I don't have a sound piece of mind, but I manage to fare
I don't like my neighbors, well they're just not my kind
And I think it might be all for the whales, and I really don't mind
If these are the golden years, when I think it's time to cash them in
To sit in our rocking chairs, and talk about the good old days
I need understanding, just a pack or two
To help me with my troubles, and what to do's
I don't feel no raging, there ain't nothing new
Drop me in the ocean, and paint me blue
These are violent times, and I only want to do my part
To sink to hatreds depths, and smile at what we've all become
I need understanding, just a pack or two
To help me with my troubles, and what to do's
I don't feel no raging, there ain't nothing new
Drop me in the ocean, and paint me blue
"Paint Me Blue" by Tabitha's Secret is a song that reflects the angst and frustration of the singer towards the world around them. The song challenges societal norms and questions the status quo. The first stanza sets the tone of the song with the singer talking about how there is too much of someone else and not enough of themselves. They talk about how they cannot be happy when they see happy people because it is something that is unattainable for them. This is followed by the statement that implies that there is never too much violence and it's time for a war. The third line "you leave on your shirt and I'll be skins, and we'll go flying through the door" is a metaphor that could imply they want to strip themselves of all their social conventions and scream out their frustration.
The chorus "I need understanding, just a pack or two, to help me with my troubles and what to do's" indicates a sense of helplessness and a need for someone or something to guide them. The lines "These are violent times, and I only want to do my part to sink to hatred depths and smile at what we've all become" conveys a sense of hopelessness towards the situation of the world. The idea of sinking to hatred depths is a commentary on how people have become so used to violence that they almost enjoy it not being able to identify other ways of living. The singer concludes by saying they want to be painted blue and dropped into the ocean, which could signify a desire to start afresh and be reborn anew.
Line by Line Meaning
There's not enough of me well, there's way too much of you
I am overwhelmed by your presence and your influence on me.
I think I saw some happy people yesterday and that'll never do
I am unhappy with my life and resentful of others' happiness.
There's never too much violence, ain't it time we had a war
I am willing to promote violence as a means to an end.
You leave on your shirt and I'll be skins, and we'll go flying through the door
Let's forget our inhibitions and have reckless, impulsive fun.
I need understanding, just a pack or two
I want someone to sympathize with my problems and give me cigarettes.
To help me with my troubles, and what to do's
I need help to figure out how to deal with my problems.
I don't feel no raging, there ain't nothing new
I am emotionally numb and indifferent to everything.
Drop me in the ocean, and paint me blue
I want to be left alone and forgotten, to drown in my own misery.
I don't have a worry, I don't have a care
I am apathetic and disengaged from my own life.
I don't have a sound piece of mind, but I manage to fare
I am mentally unstable, but I am getting by somehow.
I don't like my neighbors, well they're just not my kind
I am prejudiced and intolerant of people who are different from me.
And I think it might be all for the whales, and I really don't mind
I am indifferent to environmental issues that don't affect me directly.
If these are the golden years, when I think it's time to cash them in
I am cynical about the idea that these are the best years of my life.
To sit in our rocking chairs, and talk about the good old days
I am resigned to a life of nostalgia and regret.
These are violent times, and I only want to do my part
I am willing to participate in violence because I see it as necessary.
To sink to hatreds depths, and smile at what we've all become
I am willing to embrace hatred and chaos, and to revel in the destruction of society.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: BRIAN YALE, JOHN GOFF, JOHN JOSEPH STANLEY, ROB THOMAS, ROBERT THOMAS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind