Their signature style is dreamy slow songs, with beautiful melodies.
The original band, including Mike Bitts (bass), and Steve Brown (drums), was formed in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in the early 80s when the members met during a Catholic school production of Godspell. Although all members of the band have contributed musically, Karen Peris does most of the group's writing.
Their eponymous debut album, released in 1989 (A&M Records), was produced by Larry Klein, then-husband of Joni Mitchell, and recorded in the couple’s basement recording studio. The album peaked on the Billboard charts at #167 in 1990, and the album’s second track, "Black Sheep Wall", released as a single in 1989, peaked at #22 on Billboard’s Modern Rock Tracks. The album’s fifth track, "Clear to You", was used on the soundtrack of the pilot episode of Beverly Hills 90210. Klein also produced their 1991 follow up, Umbrella.
Their third and final A&M album, Glow, released in 1995 (A&M Records), Was produced by Dennis Herring, who had previously produced two records for Camper Van Beethoven. This album is a departure from Klein's heavier production style. Whereas the first two releases may have brought to mind The Sundays and The Cocteau Twins with their moody keyboards, Herring's lighter touch gave more emphasis to the group's guitar work and to Karen's vocals and lyrics.
Glow contains songs that appear on the soundtracks of the films Empire Records, and Dream for an Insomniac, as well as the television series Party of Five. The album’s second track, Bright as Yellow, peaked on Billboard’s Modern Rock Tracks at #33.
In 1999 the band recorded for a new label, Badman. Additionally, drummer Steve Brown left the band to pursue a career as a chef. On the subsequent album, Birds of My Neighborhood, Brown played drums and brushes on "Snow," but otherwise the group became a trio. Now bereft of drums, their sound took an even more acoustic direction. Some songs featured just Don and Karen, and a few, such as "She May Turn Around," featured only Karen's voice and instrumentation.
The 2000 release of Christ is My Hope, featuring religious music that had inspired them over the years, was independently released on their own website. Small Planes, released in 2001, featured outtakes from Glow and Birds of My Neighborhood. 2003's Befriended was their next "regular" album.
In 2004, the Innocence Mission released Now the Day is Over, a collection of lullabies. Except for "My Love Goes With You," all songs are cover versions, such as a stripped-down vocal and piano rendition of Henry Mancini's Moon River,
The Innocence Mission's new album We Walked in Song was released March 13, 2007.
Revolving Man
The Innocence Mission Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
don't you ever get ahead?
all your days are spent
in catching up the rent
ah, revolve, revolve
don't you ever get a sunday
to read the paper and jump into leaves or water?
of course I'm laughing
I'm happy
to revolve around my children
to revolve around my love
ah, revolving man
don't you ever want to cry?
all your nights are spent
in catching up your breath
and the children need
well, they're always needing something
growing out of clothes they grew into yesterday
you young ones don't believe
in nothing but freedom for yourselves
where are you getting ahead to?
it's I who am sorry for you
and "god is in his heaven
all's right with the world,"
The Innocence Mission's song Revolving Man is a snapshot of the daily struggles of a man who is constantly trying to catch up with life. The lyrics convey a sense of exhaustion and frustration as the revolving man spends all his days trying to pay his rent and all his nights trying to catch his breath. Despite this, he continues to revolve without a moment to rest or enjoy the simple pleasures of life.
The chorus of the song asks the revolving man if he ever gets a chance to relax and do something for himself. The imagery of reading the paper and jumping into leaves or water paints a picture of the carefree life he wishes he could have. But the revolving man cannot escape his responsibilities and is resigned to his fate.
The final verse of the song is a lament for the younger generation who believe only in freedom and getting ahead. The revolving man is sorry for them because they do not understand the value of hard work and the sacrifices that must be made to live a fulfilling life. The line "god is in his heaven, all's right with the world" is an ironic statement, as it highlights the stark contrast between the idealized world and the harsh reality that the revolving man lives in.
Line by Line Meaning
ah, revolving man,
Addressing the man who is stuck in the constant cycle of life
don't you ever get ahead?
Don't you ever feel like you have accomplished something in life?
all your days are spent
All your days are consumed
in catching up the rent
In trying to pay the bills and keep up with the expenses
ah, revolve, revolve
Addressing the cycle again
don't you ever get a sunday
Is there no time for yourself?
to read the paper and jump into leaves or water?
To indulge in simple pleasures and activities?
you're laughing...
Asking why he is laughing
of course I'm laughing
Because he is content with his life revolving around his loved ones
I'm happy
He finds joy in his simple life
to revolve around my children
His primary focus is on his children
to revolve around my love
And his love for them
ah, revolving man
Re-emphasizing the message
don't you ever want to cry?
Doesn't he ever feel overwhelmed?
all your nights are spent
Nights are also consumed by the constant cycle
in catching up your breath
Trying to keep up and not fall behind
and the children need
And there are always demands that need to be met
well, they're always needing something
The children's needs are ever-evolving
growing out of clothes they grew into yesterday
They are constantly growing and changing
you young ones don't believe
Addressing the younger generation
in nothing but freedom for yourselves
They only believe in personal freedom
where are you getting ahead to?
Where are they going if they only focus on themselves?
it's I who am sorry for you
He pities them for not finding joy in family and love
and "god is in his heaven
A common saying suggesting that everything is perfect
all's right with the world,"
A statement that contradicts the whole song and highlights the monotony of life
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DONALD CHARLES JR. PERIS, KAREN PERIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
isadore laduca
One of my favorite albums of all time.
Christopher Hall
Yes!
Bill Buttrick
Haunting, and so evocative of a time in my younger days when music continuously pierced my soul. Still does, thankfully…
Alan McKenney
WhackaWhacka
Thank you for uploading this. This is one of the best songs from one of the most underrated bands. I LOVE this group and everything that Karin's siging style gets across. The point-of-view narrative that is prevalent in so many of their songs is so wonderful to listen to. Not many singers can do what she does, and that she makes it look effortless speaks to the resevoir of talent that she has within her soul.
divinedgar
thanks so much for posting. it's been about ten years since i've heard this gem.
Chuck Mauk
One of my favorite albums of all time.
Carlos Recuerda Ruiz
These notes caress my ears !
necvir
Soft Soft Soft song! in my mind, in my ears, in my soul.
Nikola Djukanovic
beautiful song
Brighton Gordon
Why isnt this for sale anywhere, its not on amazon or itunes, oh the HUMANITY!!!