The original Urge lineup debuted in 1989 with the cassette-only Bust Me Dat Forty, followed a year later by the LP Puttin' the Backbone Back. After the addition of trombonist Matt Kwiatkowski, the group released 1992's Magically Delicious; later the group added trombonist/keyboardist Todd Painter and saxophonist/keyboardist Bill Reiter, and in 1993 recorded the live LP Fat Babies in the Mix. After Herschel and Malecek left the band in 1994, guitarist Jerry Jost and drummer John Pessoni joined the lineup, and subsequent touring with 311 helped The Urge win a number of new fans. The 1995 release of Receiving the Gift of Flavor was so successful that it brought the band to the attention of Epic's Immortal imprint, which reissued the LP in 1996.
After constant touring with the likes of labelmates Korn and Incubus, Master of Styles was released in 1998, containing the hit "Jump Right In" which featured singer Nick Hexum of 311.
Following the release of Too Much Stereo in mid 2000, the band toured for nearly a year before calling it quits. After the annual St. Louis Christmas shows, the Urge disbanded for the first time since they formed in 1987.
The band played several Midwest reunion shows from 2003-2005 that included a headlining spot at Pointfest, a large semi-annual outdoor rock festival in St. Louis. Frontman Steve Ewing has made several solo records while guitarist Jerry Jost formed LucaBrasi, featuring former members of Adair and Helmet. The other members still resided in St. Louis and are involved in several musical projects.
On July 15, 2011, St. Louis' KPNT 105.7 FM proclaimed that the Urge would be headlining Pointfest XXIX on September 10, 2011, marking their sixth festival appearance. The Urge also confirmed that they are once again an active band and they have been recording new music in the studio for several months.
I Remember
The Urge Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I remember when we used to laugh, but time has spoiled our craft, so now I stay away. Why the question that is always asked, I won't be coming back. We'll go our separate ways.
I've seen you crack a smile, ain't so hateful after all turn back the hands of time to life when you were riding high. I think I understand, can't be involved in this plan. So now I clean my hands.
I remember when we used to laugh, but time has spoiled our craft, so now I stay away. Why the question that is always asked. I won't be coming back. We'll go our separate ways.
The Urge's "I Remember" is a sobering song that expresses the artist's disappointment and heartbreak over a close friendship turned sour due to substance abuse. The lyrics paint a picture of someone who struggled with addiction, and as a result, their life has taken a turn for the worse. The artist acknowledges that the substance in the person's pipe is designed to make them numb, which ultimately leads to them going down in flames, unable to change their trajectory. The artist expresses their rage towards this situation, with the realization that there's nothing they can do to fix their friend.
Despite reminiscing about the good times they shared, the artist has come to accept that their friendship has been irreparably damaged. The lyrics also suggest that the artist has been asked why they won't be coming back, indicating that their friend might not have understood or accepted the artist's decision to distance themselves. The artist ultimately decides to go their separate way, having acknowledged the changes in their friend and the impact it has had on their friendship.
In the second verse, the artist describes having seen their friend crack a smile and realizing that they're not as hateful as they initially seemed. The artist wistfully wishes they could turn back time to when their friend was "riding high," before addiction took hold. However, as much as the artist wants to help, they understand that they cannot be involved in their friend's self-destructive plan, and so they decide to clean their hands of the situation. The artist implies that they're still open to being friends with their former companion but that, for now, the best they can do is walk away.
Line by Line Meaning
Your life has turned for the worst, the worst is yet to come.
Your current situation is bad, but things are going to get even worse for you.
The substance in your pipe designed to make you numb.
The drugs you are using are meant to make you feel numb and forget your problems.
You're going down in flames, oh yes, it's too late to change. Now I feel the rage.
You are heading for a catastrophic end, and there is nothing you can do to prevent it. This makes me angry and frustrated.
I remember when we used to laugh, but time has spoiled our craft, so now I stay away.
I have fond memories of our past, but things have changed, and I don't associate with you anymore.
Why the question that is always asked, I won't be coming back. We'll go our separate ways.
You keep asking me if I'll come back, but I won't. It's time for us to move on and live separate lives.
I've seen you crack a smile, ain't so hateful after all turn back the hands of time to life when you were riding high.
I've seen you smile, and it makes me realize that you are not all bad. It's like you want to go back to the time when you were doing well in life.
I think I understand, can't be involved in this plan. So now I clean my hands.
I think I get what you're going through, but I can't be a part of it. I need to distance myself from your problems.
I watched your personality steer wrong off from reality. Can't get high enough to destroy all possibility.
I've watched you lose touch with reality, and you can't seem to get high enough to forget your problems.
I've done the best I can. I'd even still be your friend.
I've tried to help you, but there's only so much I can do. Even with our differences, I would still be your friend if you needed me.
Contributed by Lily R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.