Now

1
Now

• By Days of the New
• Presentation by Jason Spence and Aaron
  VanDuynhoven

2
Now

• Background of the artists
• Lyrics analysis
• Relationship between music and lyrics
• Personal impact
• Conclusion
• Questions/Answers

3
Biography

• Louisville, KY, US
• The vocals of Travis Meeks comparable to those of
  Jim Morrison
• Compared to Alice in Chains' quieter releases
• Emphasis on Acoustic Guitars in their first album
  created a comparison with Pearl Jam
• Been through many changes in the lineup of the
  band, the only constant is Travis Meeks
• The original band plays on this song

4
Biography

• Travis Meeks got the band signed at the age of 17
• The Orange album, their 1st album sold 1.5
  million copies
• Original lineup was Travis Meeks(guitar), Jesse
  Vest(bass), Matt Taul(drums), and Todd
  Whitener(guitar)
• The original lineup minus Meeks went on to create
  the band Tantric with a new vocalist

5
Discography
1997-Orange Album
6
Discography
Discography
1999-Green Album
7
Discography
Discography
Discography
2001-Red Album
8
Discography
2004-2005?-Purple Album
9
Now

• I feel alone even with myself
• But it does better me
• I'd like to tell you how I'm feeling now
• But it ruins everything
• You try to judge me now, tomorrow's okay
• You try to tell me now how I should feel
• I don't feel like I should be here
• I feel alone even with myself
• Do you know what I mean?
• I can't explain those things that seem to repel
  me
• They ruin everything

10
Now

• Your fears are working now, but I don't complain
• I'm working hard to listen and that's okay
• Don't you know it's not okay to be afraid of me
• I hate to tell you but you're in my way
• I hate when someone tries to push me away
• Don't you know you can't be afraid of me
• Giving away all I'm feeling now
• Why don't you listen to this heart full of pain
• Sounds like complaining, but it's hard to refrain
• Don't you know you can't be afraid of me
• Giving away all I'm feeling now

11
Lyrics Analysis

• Introspective song
• Alternating lyrical and dramatic modes
• Slightly confusing to figure out who he is
  talking to
• First verse questions if the way he is living is
  good for him

12
Lyrics Analysis

• Second verse sounds angry as well as depressed
  feels like an outcast
• Third verse searching for someone who understands
  his situation/feelings
• Fourth verse he begins to allow others to enter
  into his world, but others are afraid of him and
  the way he is hes afraid of being alone

13
Lyrics Analysis

• Fifth verse confronts a fear or a person that is
  preventing him from connecting with others
• Sixth verse he really opens up, but no one is
  listening, or they think hes complaining

14
Poetic Devices

• Paradox in first line I feel alone even with
  myself
• Repetition Now
• Emphasizes the feelings of being trapped

15
Relationship of Music and Lyrics

• Dark and tormented/eerie/isolated sound in
  beginning
• Slow, dragging tempo
• Builds up during choruses and drops back down for
  verses
• Solo is played like a conversation between left
  and right speakers
• Outro is simple, but brighter than intro

16
Personal Impact

• Easy to relate to
• Everyone feels alone/left out sometimes
• Emotional lyrics hold listeners attention
• Describes common feelings/situations

17
Conclusion

• Music helps the lyrics, rather than distracting
  from them
• Message is clear and easy to both understand and
  relate to
• Lyrics are expressive, but clear and to the point