The group gained some notoriety when a single from its first album, Blood and Roses, was included on the soundtrack for and as the theme song of the 1986 Albert Pyun movie Dangerously Close and the video got some moderately heavy rotation on MTV. The group spent some time in its initial semi-celebrity phase defending itself in Rolling Stone against thinly-veiled accusations of sounding too much like The Byrds and The Beatles, pointing out that its Marshall Amplifier-heavy live sound was closer to heavy metal than it was to The Beatles.
Along with a basic Eastern-coast roots-rock sound that owed much to the inspirations of DiNizio, including Buddy Holly, The Who, The Clash, Elvis Costello, and Nick Lowe, the Smithereens deployed a uniquely retro obsession with Mod, the late British Invasion pop of John's Children and The Move, and other artifacts of fifties and sixties culture that lent its music substance and style. The highest position a Smithereens album attained on the Billboard pop charts was in 1990, when 11 peaked at #41 on the strength of the single A Girl Like You (which hit #38). The group is still active and tours frequently, but went for seven years without releasing a new studio album, following God Save the Smithereens in 1999.
In January 2007, the band released a cover of the album Meet the Beatles titled Meet the Smithereens. Bassist Mike Mesaros does not appear on the album, replaced by Severo "The Thrilla" Jornacion . An album of original material was promised for later in the year, but Christmas with The Smithereens, released in October 2007, included only three original songs along with nine covers of Christmas songs.
Now and Then
The Smithereens Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't know how I'll see it through
Troubled times are on their way
Wish that you could stay
[Chorus]
Now and then
I feel like giving up
Alone
And wonder why
Friends tell me I'm acting like a fool
The way we live breaks all the rules
(The) lies I tell don't seem so strange
Wake me up, I'll change
[Chorus]
Love, I can't believe my lies drove you away
Love, I can't believe I made you feel this way
Last time that I looked into your eyes
Telling lies that made you cry
Troubled times are on their way
Wish that you could stay
[Chorus]
Love, I can't believe my lies drove you away
Love, I can't believe I made you feel this way
Now and then
Now and then, love!
I feel like giving up
The Smithereens' song "Now and Then" is an emotional ballad that explores the conflicting feelings of regret and determination after losing someone you love due to mistakes and lies. The lyrics depict the singer's sadness and struggle to move on from a relationship that has gone wrong. The opening line, "I've been torn apart since I met you", sets the tone for the song and suggests that meeting the person has caused the singer pain and suffering. The next line, "Don't know how I'll see it through", expresses the uncertainty and hopelessness of the situation. The chorus, "Now and then, I feel like giving up, instead I'll cry alone and wonder why", showcases the singer's struggle to keep going and find a way to cope with the loss. The second verse shows the singer's awareness of their mistakes and how their behaviour has affected the relationship. The lines "Friends tell me I'm acting like a fool, the way we live breaks all the rules, lies I tell don't seem so strange, wake me up, I'll change" highlight the regret and desire to make amends. The final repetition of the chorus with the addition of the line "Now and then, love!" emphasises that this song is about love and its power to bring both joy and pain.
The themes explored in "Now and Then" are universal and relatable. The song has been praised for the raw emotions it evokes and the sincerity of the lyrics. The Smithereens' lead singer Pat DiNizio has been noted for his ability to write and perform songs that are both catchy and introspective. "Now and Then" is a great example of his songwriting skills, showcasing a sense of vulnerability that is rarely heard in other rock songs. The melodic structure of the song is simple yet effective, with a catchy chorus and a memorable guitar riff.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been torn apart since I met you
Since meeting you, my emotions have become overwhelmed with inner turmoil.
Don't know how I'll see it through
I am unsure how I will be able to handle this situation.
Troubled times are on their way
Difficult moments are approaching.
Wish that you could stay
I desire for you to remain with me.
Now and then
I feel like giving up
Instead I'll cry
Alone
And wonder why
Occasionally I feel like surrendering, but instead I will cry in solitude and question the reason behind this.
Friends tell me I'm acting like a fool
My companions say that I am behaving foolishly.
The way we live breaks all the rules
Our current lifestyle defies conventional norms and regulations.
The lies I tell don't seem so strange
The lies I share do not appear unfamiliar or peculiar.
Wake me up, I'll change
Reawaken me and I will alter my ways.
Love, I can't believe my lies drove you away
Love, I can't believe I made you feel this way
My dishonesty caused you to depart, and I cannot fathom how I made you feel.
Last time that I looked into your eyes
Telling lies that made you cry
Troubled times are on their way
Wish that you could stay
The most recent time I gazed upon your eyes, I spoke falsehoods that resulted in your tears. Difficult moments are forthcoming, and I wish you could remain with me.
Now and then
Now and then, love!
I feel like giving up
From time to time, I feel like quitting.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JIM BABJAK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
SomethingReal1119
They are fantastic live!!!! That 60's pop sound comes from the Rickbackers I think. They make me proud I am from NJ. THIS is the classic NJ sound!
Modern Milner
Count me among the Marylanders who think these guys kicked serious ass.
Joe McPartlin
WHY WAS SONG NOT A BIGGER HIT? LIKE...SERIOUSLY? EXCELLENT SONG!
crapple009
Basically two words: Grunge/Alternative. Sadly, many great bands fell to the wayside as a result as the 90's kicked in.
Ken Vail
@crapple009 but too much passion was a hit at the time - Capitol why the hell didn't they make this a single?
crapple009
@Ken Vail'Too Much Passion' barely made the Top-40, so it wasn't such a such a big hit. However, its novelty appealed to the mainstream whereas the more straight forward 'Now And Then' appealed more to purist Smithereens/power pop fans. Think of Beatles songs that could have/should have been hits but remained album tracks (for example, of all the tracks on the Revolver album, 'Yellow Submarine' was the hit-go figure, eh?). Perhaps if Capitol had released 'Get A Hold Of My Heart' instead, that would have been a hit. But yeah, the mainstream market has always been a fickle one. Just my two cents' worth..
paste1952
Great back up vocals by the Cowsills!!
K4Fusion
Just can't say enough good things about the Smithereens. Great song writing, great band!
Gerald Woodruff
A statement from Jim, Dennis & Mike
Today we mourn the loss of our friend, brother and bandmate Pat DiNizio. Pat had the magic touch. He channeled the essence of joy and heartbreak into hook-laden three minute pop songs infused with a lifelong passion for rock & roll. Our journey with Pat was long, storied and a hell of a lot of fun. We grew up together.
paste1952
Their songs have that 60's - 70's pop-rock feel to it. Could've been a hit single back then