The band's first record, Fatboy (1992), established the band as a favorite of the same 1990s scene that became popular through bands such as the Dave Matthews Band, Phish, and Widespread Panic. moe. has toured with the 1997 Furthur Festival, appeared at Woodstock '99, have played in Central Park, were the opening band for The Allman Brothers and The Who, and performed at Radio City Music Hall on New Years Eve 2006 and 2007.
They also host the annual festival moe.down at Snow Ridge Ski Area in Turin, NY. Started in 2000, the festival runs for three days and occurs every Labor Day weekend. The festival has attracted a wide variety of musical talent. Acts range from newer bands just emerging onto the scene (such as Tea Leaf Green, Nellie McKay and Raq) to big name acts and jam rock staples, such as Les Claypool, Blues Traveler, and Mike Gordon (of Phish fame); to pop rock icons, such as Leo Kottke, The Flaming Lips, The Violent Femmes; and most recently, Perry Farrell. Each year, the amount of moe.down attendees has steadily increased. moe.down I attracted around 3,000 people while moe.down VI in 2005, had attracted close to 7,000.
During an interview, guitarist Al Schnier was asked to describe moe. for those who have never heard their music: "It's an amalgamation of a wide variety of the history of rock, all regurgitated and recycled through the eyes, ears, hands, whatever of the guys in our band and all of that with a sense of adventure, a sense of humor, also a constant desire to push the envelope. All in this arena of taking chances, improvising live, and making things up on the spot."
Their official site can be found at www.moe.org
Time Ed
moe. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Okay what you say you're not like them
Oh hey wait let me get this straight
I just can't seem to concentrate
They say you got to pay to play to win
[Chorus]
Yeah spinning around again
Yeah spinning around again
Yeah caught in a tailspin
Believe me you got to be free now
Leave it be got to leaving how
Be be be all that you can be
Believe words of wisdom let it be
Believe me you got to be free now
[Chorus]
Democracy the shining sea, the seeds are sown
Exit the agency we're on our own
See see see the forest for the trees
We sure don't see next why won't you sing with me
Democracy the shining sea, the seeds are sown
[Chorus:Repeat x2]
The song "Time Ed" by moe. is a reflection on the pressures of success and the expectations of modern society. The opening lyrics, "They say you got to pay to play to win, okay what you say you're not like them" highlight the common idea that success requires sacrificing personal values and beliefs. The singer acknowledges that they feel distracted and unable to concentrate, likely due to this conflict between their own values and societal expectations.
The chorus, "Yeah spinning around again, yeah caught in a tailspin" reinforces this feeling of being overpowered by external pressures. Despite feeling trapped, the singer urges the listener to be true to themselves and "be all that you can be." The repetition of "Believe me you got to be free now" serves as a reminder to break free from societal expectations and pursue personal fulfillment.
The final verse, "Democracy the shining sea, the seeds are sown, Exit the agency we're on our own" shifts the focus to a broader societal critique. The singer highlights the flaws in the current democratic system and suggests that individuals ought to take responsibility for their own lives rather than relying on political agencies or institutions. The call to action, "See see see the forest for the trees, We sure don't see next why won't you sing with me" urges the listener to recognize that change is necessary and to take action towards creating a better future.
Overall, "Time Ed" is a poignant reflection on the pressures of modern society and the importance of staying true to oneself. Through its lyrics, the song encourages individualism and personal responsibility, while also critiquing the societal structures that often hinder personal fulfillment.
Line by Line Meaning
They say you got to pay to play to win
It's commonly believed that you need to make sacrifices to achieve success
Okay what you say you're not like them
You claim to be different from those who follow the conventional approach to success
Oh hey wait let me get this straight
Hold on, let me clarify something
I just can't seem to concentrate
I'm having trouble focusing
Yeah spinning around again
Feeling like I'm going in circles
Yeah caught in a tailspin
Feeling like I'm losing control and spiraling downward
Believe me you got to be free now
You need to liberate yourself from constraints and limitations
Leave it be got to leaving how
Just let things be and find your own way out
Be be be all that you can be
Try your best and fulfill your potential
Believe words of wisdom let it be
Trust in wise advice and let things happen naturally
Democracy the shining sea, the seeds are sown
Democracy is a vast and powerful force that has already been set in motion
Exit the agency we're on our own
We need to break free from external control and take responsibility for our own lives
See see see the forest for the trees
Look at the big picture and don't get lost in details
We sure don't see next why won't you sing with me
We have no idea what the future holds, so let's enjoy the present and make music together
Chorus
Repeating the chorus as a reminder of the struggle for success and the need to stay centered in the midst of uncertainty
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: AL SCHNIER, CHUCK GARVEY, ROB DERHAK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind