Zeeshan Zaidi – Vocals, Guitar, Piano
Uri Djem… Read Full Bio ↴The Commuters are:
Zeeshan Zaidi – Vocals, Guitar, Piano
Uri Djemal – Guitar
Ben Zwerin – Bass
Paul Amorese – Drums
The Commuters might hail from New York, but their kinetic, personally revealing anthems capture an alt-rock essence that aspires toward worldwide appeal. Right from the outset of their debut LP, Rescue (mastered by White Stripes/Ryan Adams collaborator Fred Kevorkian), its signature attributes are front and center. Album opener and lead single, “As I Make My Way,” has it all: an unforgettable hook, huge guitars that ring and echo and a grounded rhythm section that anchors the track’s precise tension. Elsewhere on Rescue, you can hear the New York foursome’s density of influence on tracks like “Hope to Be,” which teems with traces of Peter Gabriel’s work with Daniel Lanois, while the delicate bite of Automatic/Monster-era R.E.M. is evident in the title track’s feedback thrust and circa-Bends Radiohead gets channeled via the poised, melodic moodiness of album standout “Fallen from Grace.” And what ties all this together are the Commuters’ poignant lyrics, which eschew cryptic sermonizing, focusing instead on transparently human experiences and emotions.
Such richness and diversity on an inaugural release is no happenstance. As their name suggests, the Commuters have traveled through a lifetime of musical influences, but it’s their own personal global journeys that have guided the foursome to something universal but prevailingly intimate. Before forming the Commuters in 2010, Canadian-born, Philippines-raised frontman Zeeshan Zaidi (whose parents were born in Pakistan and India) spent many years in the music industry. His early accomplishments included producing Grammy-nominated artist Ryan Leslie’s first demo, and he subsequently worked in the marketing departments of major labels in New York helping to develop the careers of other versatile artists, including OutKast and Cee Lo Green. During this time, Zaidi was also honing his craft as a singer, songwriter and musician, performing around New York’s open mic circuit. When the time arrived to put his own abilities as a performer front and center, he immediately shared a dozen demos of his songs with childhood friend, New York-based producer and soon-to-be Commuters guitarist Uri Djemal, who was also raised in the Philippines (by parents of Israeli and American descent). The two got to work co-producing the album at Djemal’s Madpan Studios in Manhattan, where he had produced many well-known artists in New York’s indie-rock scene. Says Zaidi: “Uri’s studio was a few blocks from my apartment and he was telling me for years to come work on my songs there. One day — when I knew it was time — I just walked over and we started.”
Soon, they were joined by Djemal’s previous collaborator, French-raised Ben Zwerin on bass and Italian-American upstate New York native Paul Amorese behind the drums, solidifying the current lineup. Zwerin, the son of an American rock critic and Jazz trombonist based in Paris, had previously played and toured extensively with many renowned world and jazz musicians. Amorese had been playing professionally since the age of 14, performing in numerous bands throughout New York City and state. The material that would become Rescue had firmly connected with its improbable shepherds.
Having established themselves at noted hometown venues in Manhattan and Brooklyn, including Arlene’s Grocery, Fontana’s and Spike Hill, and received blog acclaim in the U.S. and abroad, the Commuters are eager to build their US presence and also extend their experiences outward to an international audience. As Zaidi explains, the already-dynamic tracks on Rescue “sound energetic and alive” on stage. “We love creating songs in the studio but performing them for live audiences is even more exciting,” he continues. “A lot of our online fans in different countries ask when we’re going to play in their hometowns – and we want to make it to all those places.”
And while every band aims to last, the Commuters’ unique combination of its members’ personal histories and creative backgrounds leading up to this moment foreshadows a longer and brighter future than most. “Our hope and our goal is to be around for as long as possible,” says Zaidi. We want to build this over time — the first album is just the start.”
Take a Step Back
The Commuters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And hearing your echo, nothing else?
Are you being told to wait
But you can't control that pain?
Have you just forgotten all your friends who
Are always asking after you?
Remember the people who adore you
don't you be lonely
See the view from above
Take a step back
It's not that bad
It's not that tough
See the view from beyond
When everything's gone
You'll find you're strong
You'll find you're tough
Are you blinded by what you feel?
Do the colors not seem real?
Have you just forgotten all the things
That used to make you want to sing?
Maybe you'll heal if you recall
The words of a girl who told us all
"Think of the beauty still left around you,"
-- it surrounds you --
"and be happy."
See the view from above
Take a step back
It's not that bad
It's not that tough
See the view from beyond
When everything's gone
You'll find you're strong
You'll find you're tough
Come around now, come around now,
Come around -- it's not that bad
Come around now, come around now
Come on down -- take a step back
Take a step back, take a step back.
The Commuter's song Take a Step Back is a heartfelt and comforting piece that seeks to provide solace to listeners who might be going through tough times. The lyrics offer an understanding of the struggles that one might be facing and encourages them to pause and reflect. The song asks if the listener has been crying out for help and not getting any response, and acknowledges the pain that one might feel when told to wait. It also reminds the listener of the people who care for them and are always looking after them. The central theme of the song is encouraging the listener to take a step back and look at their situation from a different perspective, to see beyond their pain and challenges.
The lyrics speak to the human condition of feeling lost and forgotten, with emotions that can seem overwhelming and unmanageable. The song recognizes these dark feelings but encourages the listener to remember the things that once brought them happiness and to find strength in them. The message is one of hope, resilience, and compassion, calling on the listener not to give up but take a step back, reassess their situation, and find the courage to keep pushing through their struggles.
Line by Line Meaning
Have you been crying out for help
And hearing your echo, nothing else?
Have you been reaching out for help and feeling like no one is responding or listening?
Are you being told to wait
But you can't control that pain?
Are you being advised to be patient, but the pain you're feeling is just too overwhelming?
Have you just forgotten all your friends who
Are always asking after you?
Have you lost sight of the fact that you have friends who care and are constantly checking up on you?
Remember the people who adore you
They're here for you --
don't you be lonely
Remember that there are people who love and care for you, so don't isolate yourself and feel alone.
See the view from above
Take a step back
It's not that bad
It's not that tough
See the view from beyond
When everything's gone
You'll find you're strong
You'll find you're tough
Try to gain perspective and see your problems from a different viewpoint. When everything seems lost, you'll realize that you're stronger than you thought.
Are you blinded by what you feel?
Do the colors not seem real?
Are you so consumed by your emotions that you can't see anything else? Does everything just feel dull and colorless?
Have you just forgotten all the things
That used to make you want to sing?
Have you lost touch with the things that brought you joy and made you happy?
Maybe you'll heal if you recall
The words of a girl who told us all
"Think of the beauty still left around you,"
-- it surrounds you --
"and be happy."
Maybe you can find healing by remembering the words of someone who urged us to focus on the good things in life and find happiness in them.
Come around now, come around now,
Come around -- it's not that bad
Come around now, come around now
Come on down -- take a step back
Take a step back, take a step back.
Come back to reality and see that things aren't as bad as they seem. Take a deep breath and gain some perspective by taking a step back.
Contributed by Daniel D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Kxarwarx
...For each person, it is important to do the right thing, this is a step in life, you need to appreciate each new day, it presented opportunities and possibilities, and this is important. Just live with dignity. Thanks for the kind melody =)!
@JackBlackTutorialesJAGH
Its a Beautiful Song
@LurunInia630
Thank you for this straightforward, thoughtful song.
@thecommuters
Thanks for your comment! Glad you like it! You can download our album for free at www.thecommuters .com cheers,@ZeeshanZaidi
@tareqal-shourafa4847
"Think of the beauty still left around you," .
@thecommuters
Thank you for the sentiment! Cheers, Zeeshan
@Kxarwarx
Yes! This is a good song =)! Recently saw the film "People like us", in which the main character gives his nephew a few "covenants" (you know because they are keenly snatched out of the context of life), he called them "the rules of the champion." I liked one of them, "What is important to you, is not really important" ...
@thecommuters
Gracias! -- Zeeshan
@brightside51
I believe this catchphrase from my country fits this song quite well. We use the phrase "Take a step back in order to give two steps forward". I believe it is only Portuguese
@thecommuters
Thanks so much! @ZeeshanZaidi