“It was simple,” says Eric. “Our goal was to get together and make good music that didn’t sound like anything else.”
“It was natural because the feeling, vibe, and friendship were already there,” adds Amp Live. “When you start out like that, everything else falls into place.”
Since 2009, the duo have shared the stage on multiple tours together, and their collaboration traces back to sound checks and late night jams after shows. However, during late summer 2014, Eric invited the Los Angeles-based Amp Live to his San Francisco home in order to formally record together. For the first time, the musicians found themselves in a studio environment with no distractions and a singular focus. That initial session sparked more in Northern California as well as in Santa Barbra and Los Angeles as the album’s 13 tracks solidified over the next year.
“Even after all these years, this was the first chance for us to sit down and create,” explains Amp Live. “That made a big difference. All of the boundaries opened up. I caught the feeling from Eric’s melodies and ran with it.”
“I’m more of a musician and less of a producer,” continues Eric. “I’m a huge fan of everything Amp Live does. His beats are wholly unique, and the way he produced these songs really stood out. We struck a very cool chemistry.”
This union proved so magnetic that it attracted a myriad of collaborators and friends. The first single “Stand Proud” boasts a striking hook from Shana Halligan and thought-provoking verses courtesy of New Kingston’s Tahir Panton and dancehall up-and-comer Keznamdi. Fueled by resounding percussion and horns, its lithe reggae bounce gives way to Eric’s powerful delivery and lyrics.
“As far as the subject matter goes, there’s a lot of injustice in the world,” he sighs. “Social media is so readily accessible that you can see injustice every day that much easier. I wanted to point out the corruption of the prison system in the U.S. It’s something you hear a lot about, but there’s no better way to educate than through music.”
Elsewhere, “Rainy Day In Autumn” struts along on a danceable synth, percussive handclaps, a sing-able guitar solo, and one of Eric’s most spirited choruses.
“It’s meant to make your head bob and get you dancing,” the vocalist grins. “When we were recording, it rained the entire time. It’s hard to believe because of the drought in California, but it was actually a ‘Rainy Day In Autumn.’ We had a groove blasting inside, and it was super inspiring to write.”
The boys also re-interpreted R.E.M.’s classic “Losing My Religion” from a fresh perspective.
“That’s one of my favorite R.E.M. songs,” remarks Amp Live. “I always wanted to remake it. I tried for years, but it never happened. I just thought Eric would sound dope on it. I was glad he was down. Now, ‘Losing My Religion’ adds a different vibe to the record.”
Eric and Amp Live certainly aren’t strangers to “different vibes.” Rebelution ushered reggae into the 21st century with an alternative vision that’s led to chart-topping albums such as 2014’s Count Me In (which bowed at #14 on the Billboard Top 200), countless sold out shows, and festival appearances everywhere from Lollapalooza and Bonnaroo to Glastonbury, Hangout Music Festival, Outside Lands, and more. Along with touring as a solo artist himself, Amp Live has lent his talents not only to producing for Bassnectar, Big Gigantic, Goapele, The Grouch & Eligh, and the hip hop group Zion I, but also to doing official remixes for the likes of Radiohead, MGMT, Linkin Park, Beats Antique and many more.
Now, they’re sharing this new road together in Unified Highway.
“We’re two separate cars, but we’re going the same direction,” Amp Live leaves off. “We come from opposite worlds, but this highway—the music—brings us together. Hopefully, it makes everyone feel the way we do.”
“It’s all about that feeling,” Eric concurs. “I hope our music can inspire, motivate, and spread some positivity. This is a brand new project. People don’t know what to expect, and we’re excited to show them something they haven’t heard.
Losing My Religion
Unified Highway Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's bigger than you
And you are not me
The lengths that I will go to
The distance in your eyes
Oh no, I′ve said too much
I set it up
That's me in the spotlight
Losing my religion
Trying to keep up with you
And I don′t know if I can do it
Oh no, I′ve said too much
I haven't said enough
I thought that I heard you laughing
I thought that I heard you sing
I think I thought I saw you try
Every whisper
Of every waking hour
I′m choosing my confessions
Trying to keep an eye on you
Like a hurt, lost and blinded fool, fool
Oh no, I've said too much
I set it up
Consider this
Consider this, the hint of the century
Consider this, the slip
That brought me to my knees, failed
What if all these fantasies come
Flailing around
The song "Losing My Religion" by Unified Highway is about the struggle of the singer to keep up with someone and the fear of speaking too much or too little. The title of the song is based on an old Southern expression which means losing one's temper or feeling extreme frustration. The opening lines of the song state that life is bigger than the singer and that the person he is trying to keep up with is not him. The lengths that he will go to and the distance in the other person's eyes emphasize his feeling of inability to connect with the person he is trying to keep up with.
The second verse describes him losing his religion and trying to keep up with the other person. He is not sure if he can do it or if he has said too much or not enough. He thought that he heard the person laughing and singing, and he thinks he saw the person try. The third verse has him choosing his confessions and trying to keep an eye on the person, but he feels like a hurt fool. The final verse, "Consider this, consider this, the hint of the century", is suggesting that the person he is trying to keep up with is giving him a hint to let him know that they cannot keep up with him.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh life, it's bigger
Life is vast
It's bigger than you
Life is greater than just one individual
And you are not me
We are two distinct individuals
The lengths that I will go to
I will go great lengths
The distance in your eyes
There is a gap between us
Oh no, I've said too much
I've spoken out too much
I set it up
I put this situation in motion
That's me in the corner
I'm struggling in a difficult position
That's me in the spotlight
I'm under scrutiny
Losing my religion
Becoming desperate and irrational
Trying to keep up with you
Attempting to match your level of performance or success
And I don't know if I can do it
I'm unsure if I'm capable of succeeding
I haven't said enough
I haven't expressed myself fully
I thought that I heard you laughing
I believed I heard you laughing
I thought that I heard you sing
I believed I heard you singing
I think I thought I saw you try
I believe I saw you endeavor
Every whisper of every waking hour
Every moment of everyday
I'm choosing my confessions
I'm carefully revealing my secrets
Trying to keep an eye on you
Attempting to monitor your actions
Like a hurt, lost and blinded fool, fool
Like a naive and vulnerable individual
Consider this
Reflect upon this
Consider this, the hint of the century
Consider this an extremely valuable suggestion
Consider this, the slip
Consider this a mistake
That brought me to my knees, failed
That led to my downfall or failure
What if all these fantasies come flailing around
What if all of these unrealistic dreams or desires become chaotic
Writer(s): William Thomas Berry, John Michael Stipe, Michael E. Mills, Peter Lawrence Buck
Contributed by Connor V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@stevecarmen1684
Eric is a music genius. love all his work
@elenirotis8593
Gives me chills every time I listen - beautiful
@kyleflaa8177
I don't usually like cover songs, but this is an awesome one
@houstonareaproductions7535
Eric never ceases to amaze
@2010afakasi
One of the best songs to get baked to and just chill and vibe out
@kaijupursuit420
Eric is so talented and one of my favorite artist ❤💛💚🤙
@marclin3907
Great cover guys! Lovin the new sound from the one and only Unified Highway!!
@XoXoKayyC
The original song is okay (personally I'm not a fan of it) but THIS COVER is touching my soul.
@kobebonezz8777
💔
@kobebonezz8777
It’s the original for a reason