Terrible Mystery...sounds to me like the mystery of marriage...two fallen creatures attempting to love...hurting one another even when we don't intend to...and the truth is we never fully reveal ourselves to one another.   

Yes, that is sad.

Okay, I'm gonna try to answer most of these questions.

Mykel, I didn't think of Dr. Love's song "The Treasure in You," but I love that tune and have accompanied Mike live on percussion playing that song...so perhaps it subliminally influenced me.  My favorite Roe song of all time is "Ache Beautiful."  He's a wonderful artist and I'm truly fond of him as a person. What a character!  I can't wait to get in a van with Mike,Terry and Derri this summer!  Conversation with those guys is always enthralling.

Warbler, yes, I have to admit that "Polar Boy" is self confessional...and it sure is dark.  I rarely write lyrics before music, but "The Chicken" and "Polar Boy" were exceptions -- written before we started the album (Free Flying Soul).  I'm disinclined (Is that a word?) to offer personal details here and now.  Anyhow, I expected the tone of that album to be very grim, but Derri was in a good mood and he kept playing sweet sounding music on the guitar.  I wound up writing sentimental lyrics like, "Yellow Haired Monkeys," "Butterfly," "The Ocean," "Salamander" etc.  Even Tim couldn't derail the good vibe train (Tim is a good natured, "fun to be around" guy, but musically speaking he tended to be an advocate of sonic tension at the time.  Check out the bass on "If You're Listening").  Ultimately, that album has a wide emotional scope -- which reflects life honestly, I think. "He's got his purple nose pressed against your icy window..."  Dangerous question, Chris! You're a crafty journalist!

Mighty, I hope Derri won't mind me revealing that "Terrible Mystery" is about his divorce from Marlei a couple of years ago. They're very close, still. After all these years, Derri and I know each other's hearts fairly well. "She's Alright" is about another close friend of ours who is recently divorced and struggling.  "We Give, We Take" is me talking to my wife, Nancy.  "How I Wish I Knew," like I mentioned before, was written about my daughter, Emily.  "Fine Fun Time" is about sitting around the patio table by Tim's pool on warm nights discussing, politics, faith, life...and laughing like hyenas in the night.  And that's about enough disclosure for one post! 

Well said. Thanks, Steve.

 I figured that "Weather Girl" has sort of an "if it sounds too good to be true.." moral. And /or is a warning that the satan comes as an angel of light and is clever in his disguises and the master of deceipt.  (Isn't it funny that we're not tempted by ugly things or undesirable things- if you're on a diet, the bowl of steamed rice ala carte isn't tempting, but the baby back ribs platter....)  

Also, I just want to say that I appreciate all of the guys in the band and what you each contribute as well as what you do as a whole. Thanks for spending some time with us and for baring your soul a bit.

Someone once wrote that a sad face is good for the heart, and it seems thought this discussion that there have been a few things happen in each of our lives. Let's remember the band and the users of this board when we pray.

I didn't know until now...I am listening to "Terrible Mystery" at the moment, and am hearing it in quite a different, sad, and moving way now. I've got a friend who's wife is probably going to file for divorce here any time now (they are separated)...not a very amicable one...I'm thinking he might benefit from hearing this song.

I'm grateful for this board and the Choir for being a haven to be yourself, your flawed self and not have to be super-Christian. That's the thing that struck me the most about the Choir at first. When I got Free Flying Soul the lyrics were soooo honest. "If you're listening now" "The Ocean" and "The Chicken" stick out, the lyrics were like "I love you Lord but I'm a screw up, help...." whereas the Christian music I previously was exposed to was "God is great and that's it" which He is but life is brutal at times....Mightraygun thank you for your kind post. To answer your question I don't know how my wife gets through each day, from the vomitting, the blacking out, etc. suffice it to say I do not question that woman has the strength of the Lord in her. I marvel at it every day and I cry on the inside thankful that He has given me such an amazing mate. Hearing about Derri's divorce crushed my heart because I only met the guy once and he's so incredible I wish only the best things in life for him.

"Yellow skies" to me has always been an intiamte view between husband and wife through the bad and the hysterical times. The line "saucers in the kitchen flying like ufo's" always brings a smile to me, thankfully we haven't had that "mystical experience" yet. Again thanks to the band and all the monkeyboarders for being so open, honest, and accepting each of you rock! Let's all meet in Nashville in May!!!!!!