At the time Crispin was the front man of Everything After, where creative differences led to his departure. Crispin was gaining attention as a songwriter with credits on Motley Crue's drummer Tommy Lee's solo CD Tommyland: The Ride. Eric, who had recently relocated back to Vancouver after a stint in Los Angeles with 40 Foot Echo (Hollywood Records), was working on projects of his own.
After writing for months with such a positive attitude, it was time to find band-mates who shared their mindset. While recording the first batch of “TVU” songs Eric and Crispin were introduced to Roots and Fid through a mutual friend. The four musicians became close friends in these studio sessions before they had even picked up instruments to jam with one another. Roots and Fid had played in a band together prior to this, and after numerous North American tours had decided it was time to do their own “veering” away from an unpleasant situation and join Crispin and Eric.
Finally the last piece of the puzzle was put into place when the band met drummer, Neil. As the youngest member of the group, Neil, was forced to learn the ways of this industry very quickly but this was something he was more than ready to strive for.
After nearly two years of endless touring arcross the continent, the band signed a record deal with Universal/Motown Records out of New York City. The label had taken notice of the hard working group and it is now time to hit the studio to record the bands Major Label debut with producer Greg Archilla (Collective Soul, Matchbox 20, Buckcherry).
What I Am
The Veer Union Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Timing′s never what the soul desires
I belong somewhere on the outside
Will the signal survive when the circuit breaks?
Telling me something, it's telling me something
It′s telling me something now
You're dragging me away from the promised land
You fucked me up
But I refuse to let you kill what I am
Same old feeling when we halt and catch fire
You're tired of all this reused desire
You belong somewhere, just not in my mind
I won′t burn myself out, just to keep you warm
It′s telling me something, it's telling me something
It′s telling me something now
The pressure is rising, I feel it inside me
I need you to hear me now
What am I supposed to do?
You're dragging me away from the promised land
You fucked me up
But I refuse to let you kill what I am
What I am, what I am, what I am, am
What am I supposed to do?
You′re dragging me away from the promised land
You fucked me up
But I refuse to let you kill what I am
What I am, what I am
The Veer Union's song "What I Am" is a powerful reflection on the struggle to maintain personal identity and stay true to oneself in the face of external pressure and influence. The opening lines "Awake and breathing, we halt and catch fire / Timing's never what the soul desires" suggest a sense of frustration and urgency, as if the singer is on the verge of burning out or losing control. The repetition of the phrase "telling me something, it's telling me something" suggests an inner conflict, where the singer is trying to listen to their own instincts and find their own path while being pulled in different directions by the people or forces around them.
The chorus, with its refrain of "What am I supposed to do?" and defiant declaration "But I refuse to let you kill what I am," encapsulates this struggle. The singer feels trapped and pushed towards a place that doesn't feel right for them, but they are determined to hold onto their sense of self and not compromise their integrity. The repeated line "You fucked me up" adds a sense of anger and bitterness towards whoever or whatever is responsible for causing this situation, but ultimately the focus is on the singer's own resilience and determination to keep going.
Overall, "What I Am" is a searing and emotional exploration of the battle for selfhood in a world that often seems determined to conform and flatten out individuality. It speaks to anyone who has felt lost or trapped in their own life, and offers a powerful reminder that it is always possible to find your own way and stay true to who you are.
Line by Line Meaning
Awake and breathing, we halt and catch fire
Even though we are alive and functional, our timing is not always in sync with what we truly desire, resulting in obstacles that we need to overcome.
Timing's never what the soul desires
One's heart and soul yearn for things that may not always align with the timing of the universe, creating a sense of dissatisfaction or struggle.
I belong somewhere on the outside
I feel like an outsider, not belonging to the mainstream or typical ways of life, and instead carving my own path.
Will the signal survive when the circuit breaks?
In the face of adversity and challenges, will the connection or communication between individuals remain intact or be adversely affected?
Telling me something, it's telling me something, It's telling me something now
There is a message or lesson that needs to be learned or acknowledged, and it is becoming more evident in the present moment.
What am I supposed to do?
In the midst of difficult circumstances, I feel lost and unsure of how to proceed or overcome the current situation.
You're dragging me away from the promised land
Someone or something is hindering or preventing me from achieving my goals or reaching a place of ultimate fulfillment.
You fucked me up
Your actions or behavior have caused significant harm or damage to me, physically or emotionally.
But I refuse to let you kill what I am
Despite the pain and suffering caused by others, I am determined to hold onto my true identity and not allow them to completely destroy who I am as an individual.
Same old feeling when we halt and catch fire
Even though we have experienced difficulties in the past, we continue to face similar situations that threaten to derail us.
You′re tired of all this reused desire
You are exhausted by the constant repetition of striving for something that is never fully achieved or satisfied.
You belong somewhere, just not in my mind
You may have a place in this world, but you do not have a place in my thoughts, beliefs, or values.
I won't burn myself out, just to keep you warm
I refuse to exhaust myself completely in an effort to appease others or maintain a relationship, at the expense of my own well-being and happiness.
The pressure is rising, I feel it inside me, I need you to hear me now
As the situation intensifies, it becomes more apparent that communication and mutual understanding is necessary in order to move forward and overcome obstacles.
What I am, what I am, what I am, am
Despite adversity and challenges, I am steadfast in my identity and purpose, and will not allow external forces to define or diminish who I am as an individual.
Writer(s): Andrew Colin Fulk, Josh Adam Strock, Frederik Thaae, Hayden Tree, Brent Taddie, Brandon Hoover, Andrew Arthur Rockhold
Contributed by Adrian K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Shannon Parker
You guys NEVER disappoint. I am hooked. The rawness of the vocals and the emotion is unreal 💚💜🖤
TheVeerUnion
Shannon Parker thank you very much!
TheVeerUnion
We want to let you know that NEW ORIGINAL material is on the way, here's the pre-save /pre-order link to "Slaves To The System" https://ffm.to/slavestothesystem.oyd
Tatsu Kinomiya
Can The Veer Union fail me just once? Goddamn, it's hard finding a song or cover by them that I dislike! What a great and consistent band!
TheVeerUnion
Tatsu Kinomiya thank you so much!
TheVeerUnion
We want to let you know that NEW ORIGINAL material is on the way, here's the pre-save /pre-order link to "Slaves To The System" https://ffm.to/slavestothesystem.oyd
Taylor Laumer
God his voice is beautiful!
Joanne Shabazian
Awesome hearing you sing music from my favorite band! Beautiful!
Crashed Tv
Классный вокал.
Section 8
Dammit man....cant get enough of this cover. Much love