Echo and Miller formed the band in the fall of 1998, citing a mutual love of old-school new wave, dance-punk energy and dark pop, with bassist Jeff Jaeger, drummer Scott Ellis (Mellowdrone, She Wants Revenge) and guitarist Mike Smith. The latter left during the recording of their debut album, Shakedown!, which was released on The Label, a sub-label of Geffen Records.
After returning from touring, the band found the label was closing its doors, and, after Scott Ellis' departure, released The 1234 EP independently. Following a 2002 summer tour supporting Scarling., the band gathered enough money to release theSTART EP on Smallstone Records. After a tour supporting AFI, the band was signed to Nitro Records. Stabilizing a new line-up with Erick Sanger and Billy Brimblecom, Jr., they recorded their next album, Initiation. In the meantime, theSTART EP was re-released on Nitro Records under the title Death Via Satellite. Unfortunately, on the day of Initiation's release, Brimblecom announced his departure. The band proceeded to tour with artists such as The Offspring, Auf Der Maur and Garbage with a number of fill-in drummers. Sanger was let go in 2006 for unclear reasons, paving the way for current rhythm section Lance Webber and Chelsea Davis. The band also parted ways with Nitro Records, and signed with Metropolis Records later that year, releasing Ciao, Baby in 2007.
Trinity
theSTART Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My holy ghost
You know the things
I've missed the most
To feel his skin upon my skin
God let me do it all again
Just to feel him again
Just to feel him again
Just to feel him again
God let me give you back these wings
I'll trade them for the little things
All these fantastic dreams of flight
I'd even give up all my light
Just to feel him again
Just to feel him again
Just to feel him again
Just to feel him again
God let me do it all again
To feel his skin upon my skin
My eyes to settle in his gaze
To feel his focus on me
Just to feel him again
Just to feel him again
Just to feel him again
Just to feel him again
Just to feel him again
Just to feel him again
The lyrics of "Trinity" by theSTART center around a sense of loss and longing for a loved one. The singer refers to "my father, my son, my holy ghost," which can be interpreted both literally as a reference to the Christian Holy Trinity, or more broadly as a representation of the singer's own family lineage. Regardless of the interpretation, the song expresses a desire to go back in time and experience the intimacy of physical connection with the loved one once again. The singer begs God to allow this reunion to take place, even offering up their own divine gifts or abilities in exchange.
The chorus, which simply repeats the phrase "just to feel him again," emphasizes the visceral nature of the singer's longing. They don't want to simply see, hear, or think about their loved one - they want to touch them and be touched by them, to fully immerse themselves in the sensual experience of their presence. The repetition of this phrase also reinforces the idea that, despite any spiritual or theological interpretations, the song is fundamentally a love song about the connection between individuals.
Line by Line Meaning
My father, my son,
The trinity of Christianity, consisting of God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
My holy ghost
The Holy Spirit, the third member of the Christian Holy Trinity, and the go-between of the Son and the Father.
You know the things
Alluding to an unmentioned third party who is aware of the singer's feelings.
I've missed the most
The artist's greatest regret, likely tied to the presence and love of another person.
To feel his skin upon my skin
The sensation of touch is the simplest and most direct means of connection, intimacy, and love.
God let me do it all again
A plea to be granted the opportunity to relive the relationship, perhaps to rectify past mistakes.
Just to feel him again
The refrain underscores the yearning for the person the singer misses.
God let me give you back these wings
A poetic way of stating the artist's willingness to relinquish something of great personal value for the chance to reconnect with the missed person.
I'll trade them for the little things
The little moments, actions or details the artist perhaps took for granted when with the person, but now would treasure above all else.
All these fantastic dreams of flight
Ambitions, pursuits or goals the artist has achieved over time, but which no longer have the same importance as the person they miss.
I'd even give up all my light
The singer is willing to sacrifice anything that would appease their deity if it meant having the chance to reconnect with the person they miss.
My eyes to settle in his gaze
The simple act of locking eyes with the person, taking in his physical attributes, and feeling fully seen, understood, and loved.
To feel his focus on me
Being the center of someone’s attention is a rare and treasured experience that the singer craves once again.
Contributed by Juliana R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.