Third Eye Blind recorded their first demo in 1993. In 1996, the band landed an opening gig for Oasis, prior to which performance, so the legend goes, Third Eye Blind was warned that the crowd might throw food at them. As it turned out, however, they were invited out for an encore, even after Oasis had already played, bringing Liam Gallagher to tears and sparking the friendly rivalry that would form between the two bands. The band was paid double what they were promised for the gig. Afterwards, the band found themselves in a bidding war among record labels, in which they settled on Elektra because they believed it offered the most artistic freedom. Stephan Jenkins' outspoken behavior after signing the deal earned him the title of "the biggest mouth in music" by many critics. Jenkins has spoken out many times against several different artists, including a heated feud with Rob Thomas of the band Matchbox Twenty.
A fourth album, tentatively titled Ursa Major, was released August 2009. Shortly after the band has slated the release of a follow-up album, Ursa Minor. Only Jenkins' lyrics and vocals are left to be finished; all instrumental work is reportedly complete. Recent live performances have revealed a majority of the new tracks being worked on, including "Don't Believe a Word," "Lay Back (and the Water Will Hold You)," "In the Skin," "Summer Town," "Second Born," "(You Really) Don't Like Me Now" aka "Campfire," "Monotov's Private Opera," "Break Me," "Stevie Ray Vaughan," "Red Star," and "Standing Up For You." Other tracks mentioned for the album by Fredianelli are "Away," "A Sharp Knife," "Captain of Emo," "Swimming," and "Jesse 2k." He also confirmed that "Lay Back" was scrapped. A number of previously unreleased recordings were made available, including "Persephone," "Carnival Barker" (an instrumental), and numerous instrumental sessions declined by Jenkins for inclusion on the fourth album.
Semi Charmed Life
Third Eye Blind Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Doo doo doo, doo doo-doo doo
Doo doo doo, doo doo-doo doo
Doo doo doo
I'm packed and I'm holding
I'm smiling, she's living, she's golden
She lives for me, says she lives for me
She comes round and she goes down on me
And I make you smile, like a drug for you
Do ever what you wanna do, coming over you
Keep on smiling, what we go through
One stop to the rhythm that divides you
And I speak to you like the chorus to the verse
Chop another line like a coda with a curse
Come on like a freak show takes the stage
We give them the games we play, she said
I want something else to get me through this
Semi-charmed kinda life, baby, baby
I want something else, I'm not listening when you say good-bye
Doo doo doo, doo doo-doo doo
Doo doo doo, doo doo-doo doo
Doo doo doo, doo doo-doo doo
Doo doo doo
The sky was gold, it was rose
I was taking sips of it through my nose
And I wish I could get back there, someplace back there
Smiling in the pictures you would take
Doing crystal meth, will lift you up until you break
It won't stop, I won't come down
I keep stock with a tick-tock rhythm, a bump for the drop
And then I bumped up, I took the hit that I was given
Then I bumped again, then I bumped again
I said
How do I get back there to the place where I fell asleep inside you
How do I get myself back to the place where you said
I want something else to get me through this
Semi-charmed kinda life, baby, baby
I want something else, I'm not listening when you say good-bye
I believe in the sand beneath my toes
The beach gives a feeling, an earthy feeling
I believe in the faith that grows
And that four right chords can make me cry
When I'm with you I feel like I could die
And that would be alright, alright
And when the plane came in, she said she was crashing
The velvet it rips in the city, we tripped on the urge to feel alive
Now I'm struggling to survive
Those days you were wearing that velvet dress
You're the priestess, I must confess
Those little red panties they pass the test
Slides up around the belly, face down on the mattress
One
And you hold me, and we are broken
Still it's all that I wanna do, just a little now
Feel myself, heading off the ground
I'm scared, I'm not coming down
No, no
And I won't run for my life
She's got her jaws now locked down in a smile
But nothing is alright, alright
And I want something else to get me through this life
Baby, I want something else
Not listening when you say
Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye, goodbye
Doo doo doo, doo doo-doo doo
Doo doo doo, doo doo-doo doo
Doo doo doo, doo doo-doo doo
The sky was gold, it was rose
I was taking sips of it through my nose
And I wish I could get back there
Someplace back there, in the place we used to start
Doo doo doo, doo doo-doo doo
Doo doo doo, doo doo-doo doo
I want something else
The lyrics to Third Eye Blind's song "Semi-Charmed Life" describe a lifestyle of drug use and addiction, mixed with moments of joy and connection between two people. The singer describes his own addiction to crystal meth, as well as that of his partner, who he relies on for support to get through life. He acknowledges the destructive nature of their choices, but cannot let go of the high and the feeling of being alive that comes with it. He also reflects on the past, wishing he could go back to a simpler, happier time. The chorus of the song, "I want something else to get me through this semi-charmed kind of life," expresses a desire for something more meaningful and satisfying than the temporary high of drug use.
The verses of the song are filled with imagery that illustrates the singer's experiences: the way his partner "goes down on me" and "slides up around the belly," the feeling of the sky being "gold" and "rose," and the power of music to move him emotionally ("those four right chords can make me cry"). The chorus is repeated throughout the song, reinforcing the idea that the singer is trapped in this semi-charmed life and unable to break free.
Ultimately, the song is a commentary on the addictive nature of drugs, the search for happiness and meaning, and the power of music to inspire and affect us. It is a raw, honest expression of the struggles of addiction and the human need for connection and fulfillment.
Line by Line Meaning
Doo doo doo, doo doo-doo doo
Repetition of a meaningless sound
I'm packed and I'm holding
I am fully prepared
I'm smiling, she's living, she's golden
I am happy and my girl is full of life and energy
She lives for me, says she lives for me
She claims to live for me
Ovation, her own motivation
She is self-motivated and receives applause
She comes round and she goes down on me
She comes over and gives me oral sex
And I make you smile, like a drug for you
I have an addictive influence on you that brings you joy
Do ever what you wanna do, coming over you
You do whatever you want and I have an influence on your actions
Keep on smiling, what we go through
We continue to smile and stay positive despite hardships
One stop to the rhythm that divides you
The single stop that separates us
And I speak to you like the chorus to the verse
I address you directly and repeatedly
Chop another line like a coda with a curse
Cut another line of drugs and curse the addiction
Come on like a freak show takes the stage
Introduce yourself in a sensational and strange way
We give them the games we play, she said
We entertain people with our antics
I want something else to get me through this
I need something new to help me endure this
Semi-charmed kinda life, baby, baby
Living a partially fulfilling life
I want something else, I'm not listening when you say good-bye
I refuse to listen to goodbyes, I want something more
The sky was gold, it was rose
The sunset was a beautiful mix of gold and rose colors
I was taking sips of it through my nose
I was referring to drug usage and inhaling through my nostrils
And I wish I could get back there, someplace back there
I long to return to a time and place where things were better
Smiling in the pictures you would take
We smile in pictures that preserve our memories
Doing crystal meth, will lift you up until you break
This line refers to the destructive nature of substance abuse and addiction
It won't stop, I won't come down
The addiction is to blame and I won't stop
I keep stock with a tick-tock rhythm, a bump for the drop
I have a rhythm and routine that includes drug usage
And then I bumped up, I took the hit that I was given
I continue to consume the drugs that come my way
And I won't run for my life
I won't escape my addiction
She's got her jaws now locked down in a smile
She hides her pain with a false smile
But nothing is alright, alright
Everything is falling apart
I believe in the sand beneath my toes
I have faith in the Earth beneath me
The beach gives a feeling, an earthy feeling
The beach offers serenity and peace
I believe in the faith that grows
I have faith that grows stronger
And that four right chords can make me cry
The power of music to evoke emotions
When I'm with you I feel like I could die
Being with you feels like everything, including my life, is complete
And when the plane came in, she said she was crashing
She feels overwhelmed and on the edge of a breakdown
The velvet it rips in the city, we tripped on the urge to feel alive
The city breaks apart our dreams and we seek recklessness in order to feel alive
Now I'm struggling to survive
I struggle with the aftermath of reckless behavior
Those days you were wearing that velvet dress
I remember vividly the time when you wore the beautiful velvet dress
You're the priestess, I must confess
You are in control of this situation, but I have to confess something to you
Those little red panties they pass the test
You've caught my attention with the little red panties you're wearing
Slides up around the belly, face down on the mattress
You move seductively and lay down on the mattress
And you hold me, and we are broken
We hold each other despite our brokenness
Still it's all that I wanna do, just a little now
All I can think of is being with you, even if it's just a little at a time
Feel myself, heading off the ground
I feel like I am flying or disconnected from reality
I'm scared, I'm not coming down
I am afraid and I can't return to reality
I want something else to get me through this life
I need something to help me get through my struggles
Baby, I want something else
I desire something more
Not listening when you say Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye, goodbye
I won't pay attention to goodbyes
Doo doo doo, doo doo-doo doo
Repetition of a meaningless sound
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Stephan Douglas Jenkins
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind