Scared Straigh… Read Full Bio ↴Ten Foot Pole was founded in 1983 as Scared Straight.
Scared Straight was a punk band from Simi Valley, California. The band was formed in 1983 by a group of friends and was originally called S.O.F. Original members were Scott Radinsky, Mike Thompson, Gary Gallanes and Dennis Jagard, who started the band to enter a "Battle of the Bands" competition at a local skate rink. After going through several members and name changes, they began playing with some "Nardcore" bands from nearby Oxnard, California, which helped them gain recognition. All of the Scared Straight records were released by Mystic Records.
In the early 1990s they changed their name to Ten Foot Pole. One of the reasons for the name change was to move away from the "straight-edge" reputation that followed the band with a name like Scared Straight. In the beginning, Ten Foot Pole had a reputation of being a more aggressive, hardcore punk band that likes to party and have fun. The band released two albums under their new name with the old lineup: Swill and Rev. After the release of Rev and a split EP with Sweden's Satanic Surfers, Radinsky was forced to leave the band due to his professional baseball commitments and Ten Foot Pole's desire to be a full-time touring band. From then on Dennis Jagard took over lead vocals for the band.
The next albums, Unleashed and Insider, developed a new fan base but lost some old time fans who preferred Scott's voice. This included decision makers at Epitaph Records, and the next album, Bad Mother Trucker, was released on Victory Records, followed by Subliminable Messages on Go-Kart Records. The band toured Europe to promote the album, along with Phinius Gage. Various musicians joined and left along the way as the band toured heavily in the US and Canada. Various members included Glen "Vegas" Murray Eric Cody, Kris Kwiatkowski, John Chapman, Dan Kelly, Chris Dalley, Keith Divel, Chris Del Rio, and Mike Levy who is a teacher in California, along with Kevin Ruggeri, who is an English teacher for Conestoga High School in Berwyn, Pennsylvania. Lead singer Dennis is a sound engineer, who has mixed for artists including Prince, Beck, AFI and Jimmy Eat World.
On 4 April 2009, the band ended a three-year hiatus with a show at the Riorock festival in Belgium, followed by some shows in California in late 2011 and a short tour in Australia in November 2012.
They were also featured 2000 in the Punk Goes Metal compilations performing a cover of "Love Song" by Tesla.
What You Want
Ten Foot Pole Lyrics
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Is there something I should know?
I guess I thought that you were happy
But your eyes tell me
Was the attention all that you needed
Did we miss your silent cries
Is it too late to try
Who did you want to be
Is it too late
Can you tell me what you want
Can you tell me what you need
I can't read your mind
But would I understand if I could
I can't tell you what you want
I can't tell you what you need
I can't read your mind
But would I understand if I could
I see something in your eyes
Exactly what I can't tell
And I'm still listening
Exactly why I don't know
Can you feel it
Can you find it
Well I can't take it
And I can't fake it anymore
The song "What You Want" by Ten Foot Pole is a poignant exploration of a troubled relationship. The singer's partner seems unhappy, but won't communicate with the singer, leaving them confused and unsure of how to help. The song begins with the singer trying to open up a conversation, asking if there is something that their partner needs to tell them, but the partner doesn't respond. This leads the singer to question their assumptions about their partner's happiness - they had thought everything was okay, but the partner's eyes betray a different story.
The singer then asks some soul-searching questions, wondering if maybe they missed some signs that their partner was struggling. They ask if the attention they gave their partner wasn't enough, and if they failed to detect "silent cries" for help. They wonder if it's too late to try to fix things, and they ask their partner who they want to see, and who they wanted to be. Ultimately, however, they acknowledge that they can't read their partner's mind and can't tell them what they want or need. They can only hope to understand if their partner ever decides to open up.
Interpreting the lyrics more broadly, the song asks important questions not just about romantic relationships, but about the importance of communication and empathy in all human interactions. It suggests that sometimes it can be difficult to know what someone else needs or wants, and that we should try our best to seek understanding and offer support without judgment.
Line by Line Meaning
Is there something you should tell me?
Do you have something to confess or reveal to me?
Is there something I should know?
Is there important information that I am missing?
I guess I thought that you were happy
I believed that you were content and fulfilled.
But your eyes tell me
However, the expression in your eyes suggests otherwise.
Was the attention all that you needed
Did you require only admiration and praise to be satisfied?
Did we miss your silent cries
Were we not attentive enough to your unspoken emotional needs?
Is it too late to try
Is there still time to make amends and improve the situation?
Who do you want to see
Who do you desire to spend time with and connect with?
Who did you want to be
What were your ambitions and aspirations, and have they changed?
Is it too late
Is the opportunity or chance to achieve your goals and desires forever lost?
Can you tell me what you want
Can you communicate clearly and directly about your needs and wants?
Can you tell me what you need
Can you articulate your requirements and necessities?
I can't read your mind
I am unable to perceive your thoughts or feelings without your input.
But would I understand if I could
However, if I were able to comprehend, would it make a difference?
I see something in your eyes
I perceive a certain quality or emotion in your gaze.
Exactly what I can't tell
But I cannot accurately identify or describe it.
And I'm still listening
Nevertheless, I am still attentive and open to hearing you.
Exactly why I don't know
Yet, I remain uncertain and puzzled about the cause.
Can you feel it
Are you aware of the emotions or sensations you are experiencing?
Can you find it
Can you discover and identify what you truly desire and need?
Well I can't take it
I am unable to withstand or endure the uncertainty and stress.
And I can't fake it anymore
I cannot pretend or feign comprehension or satisfaction any longer.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DENNIS STEVEN JAGARD, PETER DOUGLAS NEWBURY, STEVEN THOMAS CARNAN, TONY PALERMO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind