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1. Tortured Home
Dr.- "It sounds like you have family issues ..." Rich - "Yeah, who doesn't? -laughs- A couple years ago I was visiting my aunt. During our conversation she told me how her little brother (my dad), stood-up for her, two sisters, and their mother, when their alcoholic father would start to get violent, by jumping in and taking the beating for all of them. My dad is their hero. So the song is a tribute to my father and how he broke the cycle of abuse and didn't pass it on to me and my sisters."
2. Lies
Dr. - "Are you avoiding your responsibilities?" Rich - "Well... Some days I just don't want to do anything. I just want to lie around and watch TV. But, my inner voice nags at me to be productive, 'get off your lazy ass and do something!'. So the song is my way of saying it's ok to be lazy sometimes, just don't lie to yourself about it."
3. Walk Away
Dr. - "Do you have any regrets?" Rich - "We all have to live with the decisions we make. Some are good some are bad. Regret is something I think everyone deals with. Like not taking advantage of an opportunity when it presents itself. Jeph wrote and raps the bridge. He sums it up pretty well with "I'm going crazy with the thoughts of all the things I did wrong".
4. Heroes
Dr. - "Which people have influenced your behavior?" Rich - "John Lennon, Elvis, Jimmy Hendrix fit nicely into the story line. But deeper than that it can be people closest to you like friends and family that are no longer with us. 'Heroes' is really my take on how people are remembered by those who they have effected."
5. Dead Wrong
Dr. - "So, you don't think you need your medication anymore?" Rich - "No. That's not it at all. 'Dead Wrong' is about what can happen to you if you refuse to get help. It's a hypothetical situation of a man writing a letter to his son from jail. How he let his life get out of control. And how he doesn't want his son to follow in his footsteps. The cell door slamming shut at the end sure drives home the message."
6. Still Standing
Dr. - "You appear to have some pent up anger..." Rich - "Yeah, I still hold a grudge against a guy who told me this long sad story about how his house was robbed and needed money to get books for school. I bought into it and gave the guy $80. Found out later he just played me for drug money. Never saw him again. I was so naive. I guess I'm really just mad at myself. Hey.. thanks doc. You... You... you're good!"
7. Subliminal
Dr. - "Your testing shows you have low self esteem" Rich - "Well, 'Subliminal' is about the feelings I had when going through my teenage years. When my parents and teachers were putting pressure on me to be an overachiever. I just wanted to explode, you no? I think I've grown out of it. But it still resides in the back of my brain somewhere"
8. Preludio a Bella
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9. Beautiful
Dr. - "Tell me more about the subject in this song." Rich - "Beautiful is a true story about a friend I had years ago. She had a promising modeling career but hooked up with the wrong crowd. Started taking drugs. Then dancing in strip clubs. She wanted me to help her get out of that lifestyle but I was a little preoccupied with my own life, so I sort of turned my back on her. To this day I still regret doing it. Where ever she is, I hope she is doing well."
10. Down
Dr. - "It appears you have an optimistic side to you as well." Rich - "I don't know about that. LOL. 'Down' can be simply what the lyrics say, 'I won't let this problem get me down'. But, if you want to dig a little deeper, it actually is a song about schizophrenia. Thinking everyone is out to get you, but trying to keep control of your brain by telling yourself everything is ok. Which isn't always the best idea, hence, the quintessential head trip superstar."
11. Silent Movie
Dr. - "Do you have a problem with intimacy?" Rich - "Uh... well... The song might seem like it's about a lack of communication in a relationship. But... listen to it again while standing in front of your bathroom mirror. It becomes a little clearer that the song is really about an inner struggle of human emotion. Imagine feeling like you're treading in an ocean of self-doubt just to realize in the end that you're just a few feet from shore." Dr. - "Well... looks like our time is up. See you again tomorrow."
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