The first four lines of this song “Frozen moment” through “devils a throne” are some of my favourite. This is about an accidental moment where there’s an admission of desire, but will it be repeated and admitted? So often we’re afraid to act on our impulses, supposing them to be ill advised. Self control is a wonderful thing, but if the choice to deny the impulse isn’t out of wisdom, but out of fear/insecurity, that’s no longer wonderful. Nobody but the owner of a heart knows what’s really inside, of course. But if you let it out, who knows what could happen? (Words:Ryan Music:Ryan/Joel)
I wrote the lyrics for this in a car. Joel had the riff ripped on to CD, and I was like, “what great driving music!” So many of us have long distance relationships now that everyone’s familiar with the work it takes to keep them going. I wonder when I’m coming home from a gig late at night on the highway, how many of these cars are putting love-miles on them. And enough with the half hearted kisses, people! If the face is there, make the most of it. Carpe Vultus! “Kiss me like you mean it” is the lyric. Listen to the song again. Your lover will thank me. (Words:Ryan Music:Ryan/Joel)
Hands up those with control issues. It comes in varying degrees, but most of us should raise our hands. Surrender is a beautiful thing. When you’re able to let go of yourself, and put yourself entirely in the hands of someone you love, it’s like floating forever. Some do this with a lover. Some do this with Jesus. Some both. Have you ever tried the trust fall exercise? It goes like this. Stand on a table. Have a half dozen friends stand face to face in rows of three. Have them link arms with the person across from them making a “net” for you to fall into. Then, facing away from them, you fall backwards into their arms. Especially the first time you’ll likely have that “oh crap” moment when you could no longer save yourself if they were to just let you fall to the floor. But do it a few times and you’ll learn a valuable life lesson. I did anyway. (Words/Music:Ryan)
He said and she said is never as bad as they said. Everybody got their opinions about what you shouldn’t be doing and with whom. And many of these people like to share it freely with the community. But at the end of the day, and into the next, only the people in the relationship can come close to knowing where they stand. It’s difficult to live under scruitiny, especially when people who you care about are interfering instead of supporting. But life and love are hard enough, so let’s boycott making our friends feel crappy. (Words/Music:Ryan)
Now this is sexy. “Let’s slow down then go to town like we won’t break” is one of my favourites. This has a lovely, creeping vibe. Ergo the lyric. Sex is of course on everyone’s mind, and nowadays on everyone’s lips. No pun intended. It always has an element of danger, even in a monogamous relationship. We’re tender down there. It’s simply so animal. Spiritual, yes. But not so much in this song. It should come natural. If you’re not one who is able to loosen up while participating in the act, then... well... move on to the next track, I guess. (Words:Ryan Music;Ryan/Joel)
Having been raised Canadian, I love my country. Of course, the grass is always greener on the other side of the ocean. In exploring my Irish heritage I see some common threads. There’s not much more that I need in life than a squeeze and a laugh, and perhaps a reasonably priced beverage. I would die without that bit of human interaction. For the Irish, it seems, that kind of interaction isn’t a nicety, it a necessity. Like, if I’m in prison for a long while, don’t arrange a conjugal visit, send me a comedian, and a couple of friends to shake hands with and say hello. This song is meant to communicate the conviction and urgency of that feeling. (Words:Ryan Music:Ryan/Joel)
The “Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.” felt too good to edit out. When you’re in love, you’ll fantasize about forever, as if you could have it. Of course takes two. The old couple, wearing the ridiculous matching clothing to the shopping mall, know what that’s like. For the rest of the hopefuls, we just want to be believed in. I see a boyfriend holding his girlfriend who’s getting the seven month itch, stroking her hair gently and singing the song. Email us if it works, guys. (Words:Ryan Music:Ryan/Joel)
Romance is like a living thread of spider silk. By the pound, it’s stronger than you’d ever believe, it weaves a lovely web with sticky patterns that trap us all, but it can be fragile too and blow away in the wind. This song is trapped in the moment of decision, teetering on the fine line between going home alone or exploring someone further. Which is worse, being alone or coming completely undone? Of course, it might all work out if you take that leap. It just might. Weird title to this song. We’re changed by the encounter. We can never go back, and we are defined by it. It will either sustain us or draw the life right out of us. Maybe I’m just a romantic. (Words/Music:Ryan)
We had a little guy in our lives who we’ll call K. who was very small. We thought, well, what would you want to say to a child who’s just setting out, after you’ve got a couple of decades under your belt yourself. As a kid, you don’t realize that your parents were barely more than kids themselves when they had you. So this is from one kid to another. Forget the kid IN all of us. We’re all kids. In particular, I like how this song strays from the typical verse chorus structure melodically speaking. (Words:Ryan Music:Ryan/Joel)
This was written pre 9/11/01. I’ve always been a nostalgic dude, even for times I’ve never had. When you have troubled times, everything matters more. You live with a heightened awareness that each day could be your last. My grandparents were married just as my grandfather was heading off to war. They actually honeymooned on the army base. War time shakes people up and exposes their truest colours. I’ve grown up feeling like my generation is far too complacent. Nothing really matters that much. We’re far too comfortable for that. I guess we’ll see what happens in the coming months. Pray for peace, but brace yourself. I had this song kicking around in a little funkier version, then Joel faffed around with some MIDI drums and a twelve bar blues riff, so we thought we’d use this and abandon funky for cool. (Words:Ryan Music:Ryan/Joel)
