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.
Prayer For Rain
The Urge Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Stirring, wheezing, I'm having problems breathing.
Awake in the middle of the night, a silence so profound.
Shadows cast by headlight pouring in from all around.
After I'm finished counting sheep I'm praying for rain.
Maybe I'll finally get some sleep praying for rain.
Stirring, stirring, eyes glued to the TV screen
Cursing, searching, for something I haven't seen.
I should be resting, but it doesn't seem that late.
Is there something I can take because I'm tired of being awake.
After I'm finished counting sheep I'm praying for rain.
Maybe I'll finally get some sleep
I want someone to play to me, the sound of going crazy.
I want someone to play to me, the sound of going crazy.
I want someone to play to me, the sound of going crazy.
I want someone to play to me...
Yawning, drifting, almost cursing daylight.
Dreaming, dreaming, welcome the incoming tide.
I guess it's about that time; 5 o'clock in the morning.
Thank God for the waters, the waters of the rain.
After I'm finished counting sheep I'm praying for rain.
Maybe I'll finally get some sleep praying for rain.
The Urge's song "Prayer For Rain" portrays the struggles of insomnia due to the constant cycling of thoughts in the mind of the singer holding back his mind from getting the rest it needs. The song starts with the singer admitting that he's having trouble sleeping, turning and stirring while also having problems breathing, and the silence of the night around him only makes things worse for him. The lyrics "After I'm finished counting sheep I'm praying for rain" reveals that he is desperate for something to help him fall asleep, hoping that the rain will be calming enough to lull him to sleep.
The singer's mind is restless, glued to the TV screen, searching for something that he hasn't seen, and even though he knows it's not that late, it feels late enough that he's unable to rest. He wants someone to play the sound of going crazy, indicating that maybe he needs something that helps him embrace his unrest. Finally, towards the end of the song, the singer can feel the incoming tide and welcomes it, showing that even though he's been struggling with insomnia, he still has hope. The song leaves us with the impression that, despite the significant amount of artificial light and noise around, there is still a place for natural elements such as water that has a healing influence.
Line by Line Meaning
Turning, turning, I'm having trouble sleeping.
I am finding it difficult to fall asleep as I keep tossing and turning in bed.
Stirring, wheezing, I'm having problems breathing.
I am having difficulty breathing, causing me to awake and stir in bed.
Awake in the middle of the night, a silence so profound.
Amidst the night, I am fully awake, experiencing a compellingly quiet environment.
Shadows cast by headlight pouring in from all around.
Headlights emit shadows that are widespread and surrounding me from every direction.
After I'm finished counting sheep I'm praying for rain.
Once counting sheep is no longer effective, I resort to praying for rain as a way to fall asleep.
Maybe I'll finally get some sleep praying for rain.
I hope that raining will help me get some rest after so long of being awake.
Stirring, stirring, eyes glued to the TV screen
I am still awake, and my eyes are fixated on the TV screen, causing me to stir.
Cursing, searching, for something I haven't seen.
I am cursing and searching for something that I can't seem to find or achieve.
I should be resting, but it doesn't seem that late.
Even though it's not too late, I should be sleeping instead of staying awake.
Is there something I can take because I'm tired of being awake.
I am fed up with being awake; is there medication or a remedy I can take to help me fall asleep?
I want someone to play to me, the sound of going crazy.
I desire for someone to provide sound or music that fits the experience of going crazy.
Yawning, drifting, almost cursing daylight.
I'm yawning and drifting off, but after being awake for so long, I harbor strong negative feelings towards sunlight.
Dreaming, dreaming, welcome the incoming tide.
I embrace the arrival of the incoming tide as I am in the state of dreaming.
I guess it's about that time; 5 o'clock in the morning.
It is now around 5 AM and time to finally get some rest.
Thank God for the waters, the waters of the rain.
I express my gratitude to my god for the rain that may help me find peace in sleep.
Contributed by Jackson C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
1075twist
My God, I have been lovin these guys since 92. Once you get the Urge sound in your head, they are sooo in there and I continue to love that unique sound more every single time I listen to them again.
TheOneWho
One of my favorite albums of any band ever ♥️
Penny Lope
Love this song!
daniel casillas
dude this band kicked ass ,,,, i wish we had some more good music like this now Ah days
SabreMatt311
If good memories had background music, many of mine would include songs from The Urge. Nostalgia aside, I can still listen to this band with the same ferver as I once did more than a decade ago.
Matija Mijailovic
The chorus is so vibey and beautiful in an abstract way, literally cannot be recorded again. A true killer.
Matija Mijailovic
@💜Celosia💜 Exodia is really iconic, in my opinion, even more than Kuriboh or Blue Eyes. He also radiates gigachad energy.
💜Celosia💜
@Matija Mijailovic hahah nice I never thought I’d see that here of all places Exodia has always been my favorite
Matija Mijailovic
@💜Celosia💜 Yep, this is from a Chinese fake. They're hilarious. There's one called "Darkly Big Rabbi", and one with ATK: Infinity and DEF: Infinite :HAA:
💜Celosia💜
is that exodia?