May 2008

Filter is a rock group formed in 1993 in Cleveland, Ohio by Richard Patrick and guitarist/programmer Brian Liesegang.

Their first album, Short Bus, was released in 1995. The album was commercially successful, and included the hit single “Hey Man, Nice Shot”. The song was somewhat controversial, as it was seen as capitalizing on the public suicide of Budd Dwyer. Kurt Cobain’s suicide was widely rumored to have inspired the song, but the band refuted this.  In need of a live band to tour the album, Patrick and Liesegang recruited Geno Lenardo on guitar, Frank Cavanagh on bass, and Matt Walker on drums. They would all later be featured in the video for the album’s second single, “Dose”.

Take a Picture

The song “Take a Picture” is about a dispute on an aircraft, when Richard Patrick drunkenly stripped down to his boxers, alarming the other passengers. Lyrics include: “I don’t believe in…your privacy”; “I feel like a new-born”; and “Awake on my airplane.” “Do you want to take my picture ’cause I won’t remember?” is a popular Southern phrase and in this case possibly refers to an alcoholic blackout. The lyrics “Hey, Dad, what do you think about your son now?” refers to the theory that Patrick’s father didn’t believe he could make it in the recording business and tried to persuade him to pursue another direction.

Awake on my airplane
Awake on my airplane
My skin is bare
My skin is theirs
Awake on my airplane
Awake on my airplane
My skin is bare
My skin is theirs

I feel like new-born
And I feel like a new-born
Awake on my airplane
Awake on my airplane
I feel so real

Could you wanna take my picture
Cuz I won’t remember
Could you wanna take my picture
Cuz I won’t remember – yeah

I don’t believe in
I don’t believe in your sanctity; or privacy
I don’t believe in
I don’t believe in sanctity or hypocrisy
Can everyone agree that no one should be left alone
Can everyone agree that they should not be left alone
And I feel like a new-born
And I feel like a new-born (kicking and screaming)

Could you take my picture
Cuz I won’t remember
Could you take my picture
Cuz I won’t remember – yeah

Hey dad what do you think about your son now?
Hey dad what do you think about your son now?

Could you wanna take my picture
Cuz I won’t remember
Could you wanna take my picture
Cuz I won’t remember
Could you wanna take my picture
Cuz I won’t remember
Could you wanna take my picture
Cuz I won’t remember
Could you wanna take my picture
Cuz I won’t remember
Could you wanna take my picture
Cuz I won’t remember – yeah

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Tagged as: Filter

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