Cappello was born in Silver Lake, Westchester County, New York to Italian parents. The instruments in his repertoire include tenor saxophone, keyboards, percussion, guitar, and harmonica. Cappello is also a vocalist and composer. His professional career began alongside Billy Crystal. For five years, Cappello provided musical improvisations on piano and saxophone to accompany Crystal's comedy.
Cappello went on to record and tour with Peter Gabriel, Eric Carmen, Carly Simon and Ringo Starr. From 1984 to 1999 Cappello was a member of Tina Turner's band.
He starred in Tina Turner's music video for "We Don't Need Another Hero," the title track for the Mel Gibson-Tina Turner film, Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome. From then on, Cappello acted in several films and television series, including Hearts of Fire (with Bob Dylan), Tap (with Gregory Hines), and The Lost Boys, in which he performed a single from the movie soundtrack. Capello's television credits include The Equalizer and Miami Vice.
Cappello's other pastimes include body building and songwriting. He has written songs for and performs with New York band "The Ken Dolls". He has scored for the PBS Frontline series and has recently completed a composition for "The Rat Pack", a four hour Arts & Entertainment special.
Cappello also performed with the 1999 version of Ringo Starr's All Starr Band, of which he was a member in 1992. Currently, he is working on various musical projects.
Tim, formerly know as Timmy, changed his name after a life-changing trip to Nepal.
He's a hero.
See the Lost Boys if you doubt this.
I Still Believe
Tim Cappello Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For forty days
Only a spark
To light my way
I wanna give out
I wanna give in
This is our crime
But I still believe
I still believe
Through the pain
And through the grief
Through the lies
Through the storms
Through the cries
And through the wars
Oh, I still believe
Flat on my back
Out at sea
Hopin' these waves
Don't cover me
I'm turned and tossed
Upon the waves
When the darkness comes
I feel the grave
But I still believe
I still believe
Through the cold
And through the heat
Through the rain
And through the tears
Through the crowds
And through the cheers
Oh, I still believe
I'll march this road
I'll climb this hill
Upon my knees
If I have to
I'll take my place
Upon this stage
I'll wait till the end of time
For you like everybody else
I'm out on my own
Walkin' the streets
Look at the faces
That I meet
I feel like I
Like I wanna go home
What do I feel?
What do I know?
But I still believe
Yes, I still believe
Through the shame
And through the grief
Through the heartache
Through the tears
Through the waiting
Through the years
For people like us
In places like this
We need all the hope
That we can get
Oh, I still believe
In Tim Cappello's song "I Still Believe," the lyrics describe a person who has been isolated for a long time and is struggling to find their way. The persona talks about how they've been in a cave for forty days with only a spark to light their way. They've been through pain, grief, lies, storms, cries, and wars, but they still believe. The persona talks about being out at sea, hoping that the waves don't cover them. They feel the grave when the darkness comes, but they still believe. The lyrics continue to describe the persona marching on this road and climbing this hill, even if it means being on their knees. They'll take their place upon the stage and wait until the end of time for their audience. They feel isolated and out on their own, but they still believe. The persona reaches out to people like themselves in places like this, urging them that they need all the hope they can get, and they still believe.
The song "I Still Believe" was one of the soundtrack songs for the 1987 horror/comedy film "The Lost Boys." The song was performed by Tim Cappello who also played the saxophone solo on Tina Turner's "We Don't Need Another Hero" for the movie Mad Max 3: Beyond Thunderdome.
The song became a cult hit after the release of the movie, and it has been covered by various artists such as The Call, Bad Lieutenant, The Horrible Crowes, etc.
The song is often considered a power ballad genre that was prevalent in the 1980s.
"I Still Believe" is also Tim Cappello's most popular song which became his signature tune.
Tim Cappello not only performed the saxophone solo but also performed as a saxophonist and dancer in Tina Turner's band. He appeared in her music video for "We Don't Need Another Hero."
The lyrics of "I Still Believe" have been interpreted as a journey through hardships towards hope and perseverance.
The song has an emotional quality that is conveyed through the music and lyrics which connect with the audience.
Many listeners have expressed the song's lyrics as being motivational and uplifting, which has made it a popular choice for sports events, commercials, and movie soundtracks.
The song's chord progression is simple and follows a regular pattern using E, A, B, and C#m chords.
The song's lyrics and composition have been praised for their simplicity and effectiveness in conveying the feeling of hope to the listener.
Chords (Capo 2nd fret):
Verse: E, A, B
Chorus: C#m, A, E, B.
Line by Line Meaning
I been in a cave
I've been isolated and alone
For forty days
For a long period of time
Only a spark
Only a small glimmer of hope
To light my way
To guide me through the darkness
I wanna give out
I want to spread positivity
I wanna give in
I want to surrender to love
This is our crime
The lack of love in the world is a crime
This is our sin
The failure to love each other is a sin
But I still believe
But I still have hope
Through the pain
Even in the midst of suffering
And through the grief
And even in the depths of sadness
Through the lies
Even when the truth is hidden
Through the storms
Even in the midst of chaos
Through the cries
Even through the sounds of suffering
And through the wars
And even during times of conflict
Flat on my back
Helpless and vulnerable
Out at sea
Lost and alone
Hopin' these waves
Desperately hoping to survive
Don't cover me
To not be overcome by the challenges
I'm turned and tossed
Thrown around and confused
Upon the waves
Battling against the currents
When the darkness comes
When things seem hopeless
I feel the grave
I feel the weight of despair
Through the cold
Even in the midst of hardship
And through the heat
And even in times of adversity
Through the rain
Even during times of sorrow
And through the tears
And even through the pain
Through the crowds
Even amidst the chaos
And through the cheers
And even through the celebration
I'll march this road
I will persevere through this journey
I'll climb this hill
I will overcome this obstacle
Upon my knees
Even if it means begging
If I have to
If it's necessary
I'll take my place
I will stand tall
Upon this stage
In the face of the world
I'll wait till the end of time
I'll be patient and steadfast
For you like everybody else
For love to come to all
I'm out on my own
I'm on my own journey
Walkin' the streets
Navigating through life
Look at the faces
Observing people's struggles
That I meet
Whom I interact with
I feel like I
I feel as though
Like I wanna go home
Like I'm searching for belonging
What do I feel?
Wondering what emotions he is experiencing
What do I know?
Questioning his knowledge and understanding
For people like us
For those who have endured struggle
In places like this
In the world that can seem bleak and inhospitable
We need all the hope
Hope is essential
That we can get
To help push through the hard times
Oh, I still believe
Despite it all, he still has hope
Contributed by Samuel B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.