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The second track off the disc, originally titled
"Brave the Range" was later reduced to simply "The Range". I was sure
that I wanted the title track in the 3rd position and 2 songs back to back with
"brave" in the title seemed a bit confusing. The rythm of the verses was
something I came up with a long time ago for a song called "No Harmony". I've
salvaged and disected a number of songs over the years as my songwriting improved. Overall
some of the older songs sounded dated and immature, but there were always bits and pieces
that stood the test of time.
"The Range" is about something that most of us have gone through at one time or
another. You enter into a relationship and you do tons of fun things together. In fact,
you make a habit out of it, but at some point the relationship reaches its end. If the
decision isn't mutual, you often start thinking of all the things you'll miss out on
together. All the things you haven't done. It's like "hey baby, you can't leave me
now, we still haven't gone on that cruise we talked about". Or "who am I going
to take to prom now? It's only 2 weeks away". Sometimes break-ups just aren't very
convenient. The song uses a pioneer couple for the failing love. It seemed like a funny
idea.. Man and woman on a wagon train, woman says "I just can't be in this
relationship anymore.... Clint".
The song was pretty cool to record as well. At the last minute we added Kevin playing
timbales in the quiet section of the verse ("Say you want me, all my loving") It
was supposed to sound like lightning cracking, an effect similar to "Darkness"
on The Police's "Ghost in the Machine" record. I don't think we captured
that, but it works nevertheless. Coming out of the 2nd chorus, Mark Mason and I decided to
add an interesting effect to Mannys guitar feedback. The result was a high voltage or
sizzling sound.
Rockingbird is an interesting song. Lyrically, maybe my favorite on the new album. The
song is about a lot of different things. Thousand year dance marathons, Sea mammals,
Samuaris, mini-vans, polyester shirts and so much more. However, the main idea came from
the old saying... "Women can't keep their HANDS off the MAN in the BAND" (a
good-ole-boy banjo player once told me that long before I ever took up music). The whole
"musician getting more chicks" thing always seemed strange to me. I never
fantasized about Blondie or Pat Benetar when I was growing up. I thought they were sexy
and talented, but that's where it ended. On the other hand, I once had a girl I was dating
break up with me for John Taylor from Duran Duran. It was senior prom and I wanted to see
if the ole saying "off like a prom dress" was based on truth or fiction. After
kicking me in the ribs, she explained she was saving her virginity for John Taylor. Of
course I proceeded to poke fun and tell her how silly I found the idea. She never saw me
again, but I'm willing to bet her Duran Duran posters survived the relationship. Back to
the song. The "rockingbird" is the musician and his mating call is his song.
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