Is Steve's song "Anyway" a lovesong/apology

[cheekymonkey]

Is Steve's song a lovesong/apology to the band?
What do you think. What is Steve apologizing for, what was he hiding from the band? He uses alot of "recovery" jargon here, is he in a 12 step program? It's a very beautiful, haunting yet sad song.

Anyway

Still I Remember....

I'd like to say I'm sorry
I'd like to make amends
I'd close my eyes and tell the truith
Where would I begin

The story's far from simple
I'm so afaid to show
I never want to run again
I want to let you know

Anyway
What was I saying
Anyway
I seem to have lost my place again

Anyway
So now I need just to forget
But I can't do it
Whoa I try
Anyway

We believed in music
Brothers till the end
Nothin stood between us
The fire burned within
Whoa how I remember
Beneathe the lights
Lost in my insanity
Striving to survive

Anyway
What was I saying
Anyway
I seem to have lost my place again

Anyway
Whoa how I need just to forget
But I can't do
Whoa I try
Still I can't do it
Whoa I try
Oh I try
Anyway

(On and on and on and on)
Still I remember
Still I remember
Haunting me
Calling me
No No -No No -No No

(On and on and on and on)
(On and on and on and on)

Still I remember
Still I remember
Haunting me
Calling me

What was I saying

Anyway


I love this video from froy2, has some nice memories of the band together.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=iJE8Ogmr3CY

[Michigan Girl]

YES!!!!
so it's been said.....

[cheekymonkey]

YES!!!!
so it's been said.....

Could you elaborate a bit, I'm new here, and I did a search of the forum and 79000 entrys came up but for the word anyway.

[tammy]

Steve was writing/singing to the band - I'm not sure what he was sorry for, maybe for having to jump off the merry go round and take time to live his life.

[Blueskies]

An apology. Could have been alluding to many things..letting them down due to him being torn between the road and his personal life...how he distanced himself while on the road to protect his voice...for maybe coming off like a primadonna at times because he was working with a vision in mind and is a perfectionist..for letting them down and leaving them hanging for so long while he withdrew to confront his own inner demons and to try to have some semblence of a normal life and to spend time with those he loves before he lost any more ..like his relationship with Sherrie..and probably regretted not having been able to spend more time with his mother before she passed.......just to name a few possibilities. Only he really knows what he meant ..and maybe the guys did understand too. Don't think he was taking all the blame for their struggles together but was accepting responsibilty in his part in them.

[cheekymonkey]

Steve was writing/singing to the band - I'm not sure what he was sorry for, maybe for having to jump off the merry go round and take time to live his life.

I don't know about that. This sounds alot more serious.

[Gin and Tonic Sky]

Im not sure I ever read an interpretation of this song. Of course it could be that he was singing about Alien Project not Journey-
One of Perrys band members in that group got killed, the bassist I think, and Perry felt upset/ guilty- got out of music, and then eventually had to recover, and try to move on.
The emotions of that painful episode must be caught in some Perry song somewhere, perhaps this is it. Maybe this song goes WAY back.

[cheekymonkey]

Im not sure I ever read an interpretation of this song. Of course it could be that he was singing about Alien Project not Journey-
One of Perrys band members in that group got killed, the bassist I think, and Perry felt upset/ guilty- got out of music, and then eventually had to recover, and try to move on.
The emotions of that painful episode must be caught in some Perry song somewhere, perhaps this is it. Maybe this song goes WAY back.

I've read about Alien project, but this sounds like something Steve feels personally responsible for, something going on his life that he felt he couldn't share.

[Michigan Girl]

Steve was writing/singing to the band - I'm not sure what he was sorry for, maybe for having to jump off the merry go round and take time to live his life.

He stated somewhere he was acknowledging his part in the madness.....
Where though.....I don't want to quote without it?????

[cheekymonkey]

Steve was writing/singing to the band - I'm not sure what he was sorry for, maybe for having to jump off the merry go round and take time to live his life.

He stated somewhere he was acknowledging his part in the madness.....
Where though.....I don't want to quote without it?????

Lost in my insanity
Striving to survive

What was bothering him so much? Was it a drug or drink thing? Nowadays, admitting to something like this is no big thing, (being in recovery myself).

[Jana]

YES!!!!
so it's been said.....

Could you elaborate a bit, I'm new here, and I did a search of the forum and 79000 entrys came up but for the word anyway.

It seems like I read in one of his interviews where he talked about it and that it was referencing Journey. (Maybe someone can tell me if my memory is right, that he mentioned it). What I took from it he was acknowledging the part he played in their problems.

[tammy]

Gin&tonic, I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that the song was written with the Journey bandmembers in mind. I also remember reading a response from Jon about the song. It is a beautiful song & heartfelt. SP feels things deeply so there may not be anything more serious in it...and, if there is then it is personal.

[cheekymonkey]

Gin&tonic, I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that the song was written with the Journey bandmembers in mind. I also remember reading a response from Jon about the song. It is a beautiful song & heartfelt. SP feels things deeply so there may not be anything more serious in it...and, if there is then it is personal.

My feeling is if someone brings up something in a song, it's no longer a privacy issue. I may be a spoon/loon, but I'm not going to walk around on eggshells, not asking questions, because it might infringe on his privacy.

[Michigan Girl]

YES!!!!
so it's been said.....

Could you elaborate a bit, I'm new here, and I did a search of the forum and 79000 entrys came up but for the word anyway.

It seems like I read in one of his interviews where he talked about it and that it was referencing Journey. (Maybe someone can tell me if my memory is right, that he mentioned it). What I took from it he was acknowledging the part he played in their problems.

No, Good memory...this is what I was referring to (scroll up)!!! I just can't remember what interview!!
There will be another spoon who will remember the interview!!!

[Jana]

YES!!!!
so it's been said.....

Could you elaborate a bit, I'm new here, and I did a search of the forum and 79000 entrys came up but for the word anyway.

It seems like I read in one of his interviews where he talked about it and that it was referencing Journey. (Maybe someone can tell me if my memory is right, that he mentioned it). What I took from it he was acknowledging the part he played in their problems.

No, Good memory...this is what I was referring to (scroll up)!!! I just can't remember what interview!!
There will be another spoon who will remember the interview!!!

Thanks, MG. I didn't see your post . All these interviews I read run together, but my memory was the same as yours. You're right, I'm sure someone here will fill us in on the interview.

[AlteredDNA]

http://www.daveling.co.uk/docperry.htm

Scroll to the bottom:

Last issue’s five-star review of ‘For The Love Of Strange Medicine’ suggested that album closer ‘Anyway’ was a dewey-eyed look over Perry’s shoulder at the glory days of Journey. It seems that Mark Greenway was right in this assumption. "I wanted to pay homage to the band, without sounding camp or calculated," sums up Steve. "I needs to make some kind of apology to the guys for my contribution to the insanity [of Journey’s demise]. I know that I was no day at the beach to be around at the time. Nobody was exactly what you’d call a picnic in the park either, but I wanted to clean up my side of things. That’s why the lyrics say, ‘We believed in music/Brothers to the end/Nothing stood between us/A fire burned within/Oh, how I remember/Wounded by the lie/Lost in my insanity/Escaping to survive’."

not a sp(l)oon, btw...

[Michigan Girl]

Gin&tonic, I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that the song was written with the Journey bandmembers in mind. I also remember reading a response from Jon about the song. It is a beautiful song & heartfelt. SP feels things deeply so there may not be anything more serious in it...and, if there is then it is personal.

My feeling is if someone brings up something in a song, it's no longer a privacy issue. I may be a spoon/loon, but I'm not going to walk around on eggshells, not asking questions, because it might infringe on his privacy.

The interview I am referring to was obviously made public.
I have no knowledge of his private issues and I refrain from going there.....

[Michigan Girl]

http://www.daveling.co.uk/docperry.htm

Scroll to the bottom:

Last issue’s five-star review of ‘For The Love Of Strange Medicine’ suggested that album closer ‘Anyway’ was a dewey-eyed look over Perry’s shoulder at the glory days of Journey. It seems that Mark Greenway was right in this assumption. "I wanted to pay homage to the band, without sounding camp or calculated," sums up Steve. "I needs to make some kind of apology to the guys for my contribution to the insanity [of Journey’s demise]. I know that I was no day at the beach to be around at the time. Nobody was exactly what you’d call a picnic in the park either, but I wanted to clean up my side of things. That’s why the lyrics say, ‘We believed in music/Brothers to the end/Nothing stood between us/A fire burned within/Oh, how I remember/Wounded by the lie/Lost in my insanity/Escaping to survive’."

not a sp(l)oon, btw...

lol....but we love you, Anyway

Voila....Thanks again!!!

[Jana]

http://www.daveling.co.uk/docperry.htm

Scroll to the bottom:

Last issue’s five-star review of ‘For The Love Of Strange Medicine’ suggested that album closer ‘Anyway’ was a dewey-eyed look over Perry’s shoulder at the glory days of Journey. It seems that Mark Greenway was right in this assumption. "I wanted to pay homage to the band, without sounding camp or calculated," sums up Steve. "I needs to make some kind of apology to the guys for my contribution to the insanity [of Journey’s demise]. I know that I was no day at the beach to be around at the time. Nobody was exactly what you’d call a picnic in the park either, but I wanted to clean up my side of things. That’s why the lyrics say, ‘We believed in music/Brothers to the end/Nothing stood between us/A fire burned within/Oh, how I remember/Wounded by the lie/Lost in my insanity/Escaping to survive’."

not a sp(l)oon, btw...

Thanks. I knew I had read something Steve said about it. His whole FTLOSM CD is so melancholy and reflects so much saddness in it. It seems even after all that time off to put out a CD like that reflects his state of mind.

[cheekymonkey]

http://www.daveling.co.uk/docperry.htm

Scroll to the bottom:

Last issue’s five-star review of ‘For The Love Of Strange Medicine’ suggested that album closer ‘Anyway’ was a dewey-eyed look over Perry’s shoulder at the glory days of Journey. It seems that Mark Greenway was right in this assumption. "I wanted to pay homage to the band, without sounding camp or calculated," sums up Steve. "I needs to make some kind of apology to the guys for my contribution to the insanity [of Journey’s demise]. I know that I was no day at the beach to be around at the time. Nobody was exactly what you’d call a picnic in the park either, but I wanted to clean up my side of things. That’s why the lyrics say, ‘We believed in music/Brothers to the end/Nothing stood between us/A fire burned within/Oh, how I remember/Wounded by the lie/Lost in my insanity/Escaping to survive’."

not a sp(l)oon, btw...

Great recovery on the article. I wonder why, if he is acknowledging his part in things, and apologizing, then why is there still this distancing from people in the band, who have tried to contact him.

[cheekymonkey]

http://www.daveling.co.uk/docperry.htm

Scroll to the bottom:

Last issue’s five-star review of ‘For The Love Of Strange Medicine’ suggested that album closer ‘Anyway’ was a dewey-eyed look over Perry’s shoulder at the glory days of Journey. It seems that Mark Greenway was right in this assumption. "I wanted to pay homage to the band, without sounding camp or calculated," sums up Steve. "I needs to make some kind of apology to the guys for my contribution to the insanity [of Journey’s demise]. I know that I was no day at the beach to be around at the time. Nobody was exactly what you’d call a picnic in the park either, but I wanted to clean up my side of things. That’s why the lyrics say, ‘We believed in music/Brothers to the end/Nothing stood between us/A fire burned within/Oh, how I remember/Wounded by the lie/Lost in my insanity/Escaping to survive’."

not a sp(l)oon, btw...

Great recovery on the article. I wonder why, if he is acknowledging his part in things, and apologizing, then why is there still this distancing from people in the band, who have tried to contact him.

What I find interesting, is that none of the big boys/big voices and opinions are posting on this one. Anyone want to anwer this? Is it too emotional?

[AlteredDNA]

What I find interesting, is that none of the big boys/big voices and opinions are posting on this one. Anyone want to anwer this? Is it too emotional?

They're all watching the football game...

[artist4perry]

That's O.K. I have heard the anti-Perry rant and it is nothing new. Funny, sometimes it is a group of individual mistakes that tear a band appart, not just the behavior of one. I wonder why one is always blamed either Perry, Jon, or Neal. I think the truth would lie closer to all the above, and some really bad circumstances in all their lives.

[Marabelle]

The problem with responding by anyone to specific questions about specific life concerns/band problems/relationships/etc is that Steve has purposely been so duplicit in his answers that one can't find an answer which accurately addresses any question. It's almost impossible to answer these questions as what lyrics mean in a song; it is almost certain as soon as he finishes a song he quickly changes his feelings behind the lyrics. That is why it is so difficult to write songs. Insignificant lyrical refrains to you or me are tortuous to write and achingly difficult to include in a song if it is to reflect his feelings. So quite possibly there is a hint of truth behind the song; but it's a lot different than what he really probably wanted to write. Otherwise I think the answers you are looking for are just speculation so I'd go for what you have read and what you believe; it is as truthful as the answers you might possible get from here. For you the answer lies in whatever you feel or how ever you hear the lyrics; that is what a true artist does whenever he writes or paints or sings...it's your interpretation. Enjoy your thoughts and the music. It is a beautiful song. You don't always have to look behind the curtain.

[Jana]

http://www.daveling.co.uk/docperry.htm

Scroll to the bottom:

Last issue’s five-star review of ‘For The Love Of Strange Medicine’ suggested that album closer ‘Anyway’ was a dewey-eyed look over Perry’s shoulder at the glory days of Journey. It seems that Mark Greenway was right in this assumption. "I wanted to pay homage to the band, without sounding camp or calculated," sums up Steve. "I needs to make some kind of apology to the guys for my contribution to the insanity [of Journey’s demise]. I know that I was no day at the beach to be around at the time. Nobody was exactly what you’d call a picnic in the park either, but I wanted to clean up my side of things. That’s why the lyrics say, ‘We believed in music/Brothers to the end/Nothing stood between us/A fire burned within/Oh, how I remember/Wounded by the lie/Lost in my insanity/Escaping to survive’."

not a sp(l)oon, btw...

Great recovery on the article. I wonder why, if he is acknowledging his part in things, and apologizing, then why is there still this distancing from people in the band, who have tried to contact him.

Easy. He wrote that song in '94. He did TBF in '96, and the bad blood ensued prior to touring. They had an acrimonious divorce. Journey replaced him instead of folding the band, which is the only way he would have accepted it. I happen to agree Journey should have carried on, as Perry would rather have had a solo career, or no career, apparently, by his silence. But don't look for any lovefest or forgiveness by Perry. I don't blame him. Sometimes nobody is wrong. It's just the way things are.

[artist4perry]

The song is beautiful, and I enjoy it for myself. Seldom does trying to find a cryptic answer to a riddle pan out. That is why it is cryptic..............You would be amazed at what people think I am feeling when I do a painting or drawing, when truthfully nothing can be farther than the fact that I was playing with space, and a few doodles that I was playing around with.
Marabelle is right, only the singer knows for the most part. It might just be the way a few phrases fit a melody. Like finding fillers for a painting. It just fit the mood and the space provided.

[nolippin]

I believe the explanation is in one of the FA interviews with Steve found here: http://www.fanasylum.com/steveperry/

It doesn't get any "bigger" than that.

http://www.daveling.co.uk/docperry.htm

Scroll to the bottom:

Last issue’s five-star review of ‘For The Love Of Strange Medicine’ suggested that album closer ‘Anyway’ was a dewey-eyed look over Perry’s shoulder at the glory days of Journey. It seems that Mark Greenway was right in this assumption. "I wanted to pay homage to the band, without sounding camp or calculated," sums up Steve. "I needs to make some kind of apology to the guys for my contribution to the insanity [of Journey’s demise]. I know that I was no day at the beach to be around at the time. Nobody was exactly what you’d call a picnic in the park either, but I wanted to clean up my side of things. That’s why the lyrics say, ‘We believed in music/Brothers to the end/Nothing stood between us/A fire burned within/Oh, how I remember/Wounded by the lie/Lost in my insanity/Escaping to survive’."

not a sp(l)oon, btw...

Great recovery on the article. I wonder why, if he is acknowledging his part in things, and apologizing, then why is there still this distancing from people in the band, who have tried to contact him.

What I find interesting, is that none of the big boys/big voices and opinions are posting on this one. Anyone want to anwer this? Is it too emotional?

[musicfan17]

Lost in my insanity
Striving to survive

BTW...FWIW.... It's "Escaping to survive" not striving...

[Michigan Girl]

The problem with responding by anyone to specific questions about specific life concerns/band problems/relationships/etc is that Steve has purposely been so duplicit in his answers that one can't find an answer which accurately addresses any question. It's almost impossible to answer these questions as what lyrics mean in a song; it is almost certain as soon as he finishes a song he quickly changes his feelings behind the lyrics. That is why it is so difficult to write songs. Insignificant lyrical refrains to you or me are tortuous to write and achingly difficult to include in a song if it is to reflect his feelings. So quite possibly there is a hint of truth behind the song; but it's a lot different than what he really probably wanted to write. Otherwise I think the answers you are looking for are just speculation so I'd go for what you have read and what you believe; it is as truthful as the answers you might possible get from here. For you the answer lies in whatever you feel or how ever you hear the lyrics; that is what a true artist does whenever he writes or paints or sings...it's your interpretation. Enjoy your thoughts and the music. It is a beautiful song. You don't always have to look behind the curtain.

NICE!!!!

[cheekymonkey]

The problem with responding by anyone to specific questions about specific life concerns/band problems/relationships/etc is that Steve has purposely been so duplicit in his answers that one can't find an answer which accurately addresses any question. It's almost impossible to answer these questions as what lyrics mean in a song; it is almost certain as soon as he finishes a song he quickly changes his feelings behind the lyrics. That is why it is so difficult to write songs. Insignificant lyrical refrains to you or me are tortuous to write and achingly difficult to include in a song if it is to reflect his feelings. So quite possibly there is a hint of truth behind the song; but it's a lot different than what he really probably wanted to write. Otherwise I think the answers you are looking for are just speculation so I'd go for what you have read and what you believe; it is as truthful as the answers you might possible get from here. For you the answer lies in whatever you feel or how ever you hear the lyrics; that is what a true artist does whenever he writes or paints or sings...it's your interpretation. Enjoy your thoughts and the music. It is a beautiful song. You don't always have to look behind the curtain.

NICE!!!!

Well put. I was just wondering what other's thoughts were. This is one of my fav songs.