The Section Quartet was formed on the principles of rock & roll: musicians … Read Full Bio ↴The Section Quartet was formed on the principles of rock & roll: musicians challenging the establishment by knocking down the walls dividing two genres of music. With their kinetic arrangements, eclectic repertoire, and bold performance style, the worlds of classical and rock collide with spectacular results.

In 1998, The Section Quartet emerged in Los Angeles as a recording entity with a dual purpose: to function as a string “section” on other artists’ records, and to take the rock string quartet to the highest level. Unlike other cross-genre groups, TSQ remains dedicated to original interpretations of the enduring rock compositions.

The Section Quartet’s rock & pop sensibilities have led to studio and stage collaborations with music’s top artists and producers—from Wilco and Christina Aguilera to A Perfect Circle and David Bowie. The quartet has also recorded/performed with Jon Brion, Kelly Clarkson, Grant-Lee Phillips, Sam Phillips, Tenacious D with Dave Grohl, Fiona Apple, James Blunt, Pink, Wes Borland, Rick Springfield, Finch, Tesla, Al Stewart, Ryan Adams, Enrique Iglesias, Greg Dulli, The Zombies and Peter Case.

Producers such as Linda Perry,Jon Brion, Bill Bottrell, Tony Berg, Danny Lohner, David Bianco, Tom Rothrock, T Bone Burnett, Trina Shoemaker and Nick Launay regularly call on TSQ to add strings to their productions.

Individually established classical players in their own right, members of The Section Quartet have distinguished themselves with hard-driving rock & pop credentials. Before founding TSQ, string arranger/violinist Eric Gorfain performed with Jimmy Page & Robert Plant on their "Unledded Tour"; Gorfain has also recorded with Live and Eric Clapton. Violinist/arranger Daphne Chen has toured as a member of Quetzal, soloed with Los Lobos and Little Feat and recorded with Better Than Ezra and Ray Charles. Richard Dodd has played cello onstage and in the studio with The Bangles, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Smashing Pumpkins. And Leah Katz has contributed her viola expertise to Eve 6, Dishwalla, Destiny’s Child and Stevie Wonder.

Having built a reputation for their innovative, self-arranged renditions of Radiohead’s OK Computer and Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon, The Section Quartet were coaxed on to the live stage in 2002. Minutes after seeing TSQ perform at the renowned LA club Largo, Goldenvoice’s festival mastermind Paul Tollett offered them two spots in the 2004 Coachella Music Festival lineup.

In concert, The Section Quartet plugs in and delivers their infectiously dynamic ensemble and rock solid rhythm. On more than one occasion, audience members have been spotted playing along on “air violin”.

TSQ is constantly adding new material to their live show and discography: songs by Led Zeppelin, Jeff Buckley, Tool, The Clash, Green Day, KISS, Ima Robot, Muse and dozens of others. In 2004, TSQ independently released No Electricity Required to rave reviews.

Sober
The Section Quartet Lyrics

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There's a shadow just behind me,
Shrouding every step I take,
Making every promise empty,
Pointing every finger at me.
Waiting like a stalking butler
Who upon the finger rests.
Murder now the path called "must we"
Just before the son has come.

Jesus, won't you fucking whistle
Something but the past and done?
Why can't we not be sober?
I just want to start this over.
Why can't we drink forever.
I just want to start things over.
I am just a worthless liar.
I am just an imbecile.
I will only complicate you.
Trust in me and fall as well.
I will find a center in you.
I will chew it up and leave,
I will work to elevate you
Just enough to bring you down.
Trust me.
Mother Mary won't you whisper
Something but what's past and done.

Trust me.
I want what I want.

Overall Meaning

The Section Quartet's song "Sober" is a poignant ballad about the internal struggles that accompany addiction and the desire to break free from it. The first verse sets a haunting tone, with the vocalist describing a shadow following them and the emptiness of promises made. The stanza culminates with "Murder now the path called 'must we'/Just before the son has come," suggesting a resignation to the inevitability of destructive behavior.

In the second verse, the singer acknowledges their own role in their difficulties, calling themselves a "worthless liar" and "imbecile." They recognize that they will "only complicate" the lives of those around them and yet still long for connection, offering to "find a center in you" before ultimately bringing others down.

The chorus is a plea for understanding and a desire for change, asking why the subjects "can't be sober" and wishing to "start things over" without the influence of alcohol. The bridge adds a religious element, calling on Mother Mary and Jesus to provide guidance, with the singer imploring them to "whisper/Something but what's past and done."

Overall, "Sober" is a poignant examination of the struggles of addiction and the desire for redemption. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the internal battle that individuals face when grappling with substance abuse, capturing the fear, desperation, and hope that accompany the journey towards recovery.

Line by Line Meaning

There's a shadow just behind me,
I feel like I'm constantly being watched and judged.

Shrouding every step I take,
This feeling is following me everywhere I go.

Making every promise empty,
I can't seem to keep my word or fulfill my commitments.

Pointing every finger at me.
Everyone seems to blame me for everything that goes wrong.

Waiting like a stalking butler
It feels like something is waiting for me, like a butler waiting to pounce.

Who upon the finger rests.
This thing that's waiting is ready to accuse me of something.

Murder now the path called "must we"
I feel like I have to do something drastic to escape this feeling.

Just before the son has come.
I feel like I'm running out of time to do something about this.

Jesus, won't you fucking whistle
I'm desperate for any kind of help or guidance.

Something but the past and done?
I want help that will erase my mistakes and my past.

Why can't we not be sober?
Why can't we escape from our problems for good?

I just want to start this over.
I just want a clean slate and a fresh start.

Why can't we drink forever.
Why can't we find a way to stay numb and avoid our issues?

I just want to start things over.
Starting over seems like the only way out.

I am just a worthless liar.
I feel like I am nothing and that nothing I say can be trusted.

I am just an imbecile.
I feel stupid and incompetent.

I will only complicate you.
I know that involving myself in your life will only make things harder for you.

Trust in me and fall as well.
But I want you to trust me anyway, even though it may lead to your downfall too.

I will find a center in you.
I'm looking to you to give me stability and balance in my life.

I will chew it up and leave,
But once I have what I need from you, I will move on and leave you behind.

I will work to elevate you
Before I leave, though, I will do what I can to lift you up and make you feel good about yourself.

Just enough to bring you down.
But ultimately, it won't be enough, and you'll still end up feeling worse than before.

Trust me.
Despite everything, I still want you to trust me.

Mother Mary won't you whisper
I'm calling out for a deeper kind of help and guidance now, from a maternal source.

Something but what's past and done.
I want help that will help me move on from my mistakes and failures.

Trust me.
Despite everything, I still want you to trust me.

I want what I want.
At the end of the day, I'm still selfish and focused on my own desires.

Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: EMILY WARREN, MICHAEL KEENAN, NICOLET HEATON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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