Ty Tabor is best known as the guitarist for the hard-rock band King's X but has also participated in various side projects including Platypus, Jughead and The Jelly Jam. He is often regarded as one of the most underrated guitarists in the industry for his heavy riffs and beautiful tone.
Tabor has also released five solo albums so far. His debut solo outing, Naomi's Solar Pumpkin, was independently released in 1997, however the majority of songs comprising his debut would be rerecorded and reused for the following year's Moonflower Lane. Four year's later Tabor released Safety, a collection of songs that were sporadically recorded over a three year period, and detailed in the sleeve notes that the sessions for Safety had originally produced "a record of totally depressing songs," but that he had later written some brighter material to mix in "and dropped a few of the darker songs to come up with a record [he was] happy with."
Tabor had also been taken over by the rock and roll sounds of the 1960s and '70s (most notably, The Beatles and Alice Cooper) and began playing in rock bands in his teen years. One of these was a Christian rock outfit called Matthew. He left Matthew and decided to move to Springfield, MO. to attend Evangel College where he quickly entrenched himself in the local music scene. One group he played with got the chance to open up for guitarist Phil Keaggy. However, right before the show, the drummer for Tabor's band quit. Instead of cancelling and missing out on the big opportunity, Tabor volunteered to play drums for the show. Not having his own drum kit however, forced Tabor to ask Keaggy's drummer if he could use his. The drummer, who happened to be Jerry Gaskill, agreed and the show took place. Tabor and Gaskill again crossed paths during some demo recording sessions with the Tracy Zinn Band. The two became friends and were involved off and on with other musical projects together.
In spring of 1980, Tabor was asked to perform at a talent show at Evangel with a female singer. In the audience was Doug Pinnick, who was impressed by Tabor's performance. Pinnick eventually got in touch with Tabor and the two began collaborating musically. Eventually Tabor, Pinnick, Gaskill, and guitarist Dan McCollam formed their own band called The Edge which, over time, evolved into King's X.
Since then, Tabor has become one of the more acclaimed and respected guitarists in music today. His playing style and guitar tone, as well as his vocals and songwriting, are crucial elements in the "King's X sound".
Tabor also opened his own recording and mastering facility in Katy, Texas. called Alien Beans Studios.[citation needed] He has mastered numerous album projects as well as produced albums by Rez Band, Jerry Gaskill's solo album, Come Somewhere, and many others. Tabor has since relocated and moved Alien Beans Studios to Kansas City
Solo discography:
Naomi's Solar Pumpkin (independent, 1997)
Moonflower Lane (Metal Blade, 1998)
Safety (Metal Blade, 2002)
In The New Age (2005)
Rock Garden (InsideOut, Release date: August 29, 2006)
Balance (Molken Music, 2008)
Something's Coming (Molken Music, 2010)
Trip Magnet (Molken Music, 2010)
Nobody Wins When Nobody Plays (Molken Music, 2013)
Almost Live from Alien Beans Studio (Molken Music, 2014) - DVD
Alien Beans (RatPak Records, 2018)
Angry Monk (Tabor Tooth Music, 2020)
Shades (RatPak Records, 2022)
The Truth
Ty Tabor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When was the last time that I stood still?
The wondering comes and goes, but it's sometimes clear
I look for the Voice that will move like the wind
I pray that I don't blow it off again
The rumbling man and my eyes have me trying not to hear
And I'm hoping there's nothing to fear
Yesterday tries to remind me to see
Over the towers
The place I must be
The lock on the door when it opens the room with the key
I complicate matters believing in man
Forgetting to look at the misshapen plans
It points at the one thing that sometimes is easy to see
That's not always how it should be
Fascinated
Complicated
Super-Ego's been inflated
Wonder why we hide inside and die
And should we all believe a lie . . .
Sunday I went to the "Church of the Hair"
Just like the boardwalk or a big county fair
I watch the commercial and try hard to just take it in
He said, "Just believe and get anything
A red Lamborghini
A big diamond ring
Don't worry about the hungry and poor
We can pray for them"
And I wonder what God thinks of him
The song "The Truth” by Ty Tabor is quite philosophical in nature. The opening lines describe a scene of a summer wind blowing the grass on a hill and the singer questioning when was the last time he stood still. This sets the tone for the reflective nature of the song as it evolves to focus on the concept of truth. The wonderings come and go but sometimes it is clear that the singer is looking for a voice that will move like the wind. The reference to the wind could be seen as a representation of the unpredictability and uncontrollable nature of truth. The singer prays that he doesn't miss this opportunity again and is hoping there's nothing to fear.
The next verse sees the singer pushing himself to look beyond his own self-imposed limits to find a greater meaning. He notes that he complicate matters by believing in man instead of looking at the bigger picture, recognizing his shortcomings and being true to self. He wonders why we hide inside and die, and whether we should all believe a lie. He ends the verse by saying how fascinated yet complicated this can be and wonders if his super-ego has been inflated.
Finally, in the last verse, Tabor criticizes the materialistic nature of certain religious groups stating that 'Sunday he went to the “Church of the Hair” just like a boardwalk or a big county fair'. A person who gives us the impression of fakeness suggests, “Just believe and get anything - a red Lamborghini, a big diamond ring. Don't worry about the hungry or the poor, we can pray for them” with the singer pondering what God thinks of him. It makes a point on misplaced priorities and how certain themes that are preached are hypocritical, given the nature of their teachings.
Line by Line Meaning
Summer wind blowing the grass on a hill
I'm taking in the beauty of nature and I'm trying to slow down and appreciate the moment
When was the last time that I stood still?
I'm realizing that I'm always moving and I should take more time to pause and reflect
The wondering comes and goes, but it's sometimes clear
I often have questions about life and my purpose, but occasionally I have moments of clarity
I look for the Voice that will move like the wind
I'm seeking guidance from a higher power that can inspire me and guide me like the wind
I pray that I don't blow it off again
I hope that I don't miss the opportunity for guidance and inspiration like I may have in the past
The rumbling man and my eyes have me trying not to hear
External noise and internal thoughts can distract me from the guidance I'm seeking
And I'm hoping there's nothing to fear
I'm feeling uncertain about what the future holds but I'm trying to stay positive
Yesterday tries to remind me to see
The past can teach me important lessons about how to live in the present
Over the towers
I'm looking beyond the distractions of everyday life to find meaning
The place I must be
I'm searching for my purpose and trying to find the right path for my life
The lock on the door when it opens the room with the key
Discovering the key to my future will require effort and perseverance
I complicate matters believing in man
I sometimes put too much faith in people instead of relying on my own intuition and beliefs
Forgetting to look at the misshapen plans
I get sidetracked and lose sight of the bigger picture
It points at the one thing that sometimes is easy to see
The answer to my questions might be simpler than I think
That's not always how it should be
Life isn't always easy and perfect, but I can learn and grow from my struggles
Fascinated
I'm intrigued by the complexities of life and the human experience
Complicated
Life is often difficult and there are no easy answers
Super-Ego's been inflated
I may have an inflated sense of self and need to be more humble
Wonder why we hide inside and die
And should we all believe a lie . . .
I'm wondering if we're all being deceived about the true nature of reality and existence
Sunday I went to the "Church of the Hair"
I'm criticizing the shallow and materialistic aspects of society
Just like the boardwalk or a big county fair
Our culture often values entertainment and spectacle over substance
I watch the commercial and try hard to just take it in
I'm aware of the manipulative nature of advertising but sometimes find myself being influenced by it
He said, "Just believe and get anything
I'm skeptical of the simplistic and unrealistic promises that some people make
A red Lamborghini
I'm critical of the materialistic values that are promoted in society
A big diamond ring
I see how the pursuit of wealth and status can distract from more meaningful pursuits
Don't worry about the hungry and poor
I'm critical of those who prioritize their own comfort over the well-being of others
We can pray for them"
I see the value in prayer and compassion but am skeptical of mere lip service without action
And I wonder what God thinks of him
I'm questioning the motives and values of those who espouse shallow and materialistic beliefs
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: TY TABOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
JonP1961
What drew me to King's X (FHL) was that Beatles' influence that Ty brought into hard-edged progressive rock. Ty took it where I'd always wished the Beatles' had gone. Thank you Ty!
William Johnson
Summer wind blowing the grass on a hill
When was the last time that I stood still?
The wondering comes and goes, but it's sometimes clear
I look for the Voice that will move like the wind
I pray that I don't blow it off again
The rumbling man and my eyes have me trying not to hear
And I'm hoping there's nothing to fear
Let the truth set me free
Yesterday tries to remind me to see
Over the towers
The place I must be
The lock on the door when it opens the room with the key
I complicate matters believing in man
Forgetting to look at the misshapen plans
It points at the one thing that sometimes is easy to see
That's not always how it should be
Fascinated
Complicated
Super-Ego's been inflated
Wonder why we hide inside and die
And should we all believe a…
JOE RODRIQUEZ, III
A friend gave me a CD that was advertised as costing $3.33 from a bible bookstore. It also had Galactic Cowboys on ot too. I lost the CD but am glad to find it here on YT.
thomas arundel
I agree w/jonp